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Starting All Over Again [First Day of 10th Grade]

Posted Aug 24, 2010 by Jeff Houck

Updated Aug 24, 2010 at 04:40 PM

It’s a big day for parents in Pinellas and Hillsborough counties who saw their children off to school this morning for the first day of the 2010-2011 school year. Guest blogger Jeff Houck writes about sending his 15-year-old son, Brian, off for another year of high school.

My son Brian went back to school today. It’s 10th grade, which is not so nerve-wracking as ninth grade, but enough to make me anxious and unable to catch a full breath at the thoughts of another year of pushing and prodding and guiding him through the school year.

When he, his mother and I went to orientation last week, it was apparent how much the summer had changed him. Friends and classmates gawked at his height. (Eyeballing it, he looks as if he tacked on a couple inches.)

Girls squealed and pointed and giggled. Teachers marveled at the growth spurt. It was good to see the surprise my wife and I experienced at home all summer become manifest in other people’s expressions.

Last night, I asked if he had everything ready to go. He insisted that he did.

“I packed my gum and my earbuds…”

Not exactly what I was hoping my young student would say.

“Yes, father,” the fantasy would say to me. “I read all of my summer books. I have labeled all my school supplies. My backpack is ready, I am well-fed and immaculately healthy. I cannot wait for the challenge of cramming more knowledge into my skull.”

Okay, that’s a work of fiction no parent would believe - or hope for. Still, I’d like there to be more priortization than gum and iPods.

Which brings us to this morning.

I insist on taking these photos every year. Mostly because I cannot believe how fast they fly by. And, on cue, he insists every year that he’s barely tolerating our tradition.

This was last year’s: