And let the Senior games begin

Those final weeks are a bit scary. For twelve or thirteen years these young people have been surrounded by nurturing and caring adults. They have been encouraged to do their best and supported when that just didn't happen the way they wanted.

In a very short time, that will go away. It will be memories and stories of years gone by. Perhaps 12th grade graduation is one of the few times there is a very tangible mark in the step from one stage of our life to the next. Maybe retirement is the next closest thing. But our seniors know it.

Spring Break is over. We are now in the fourth and final quarter, it is warm(er) outside and IB and AP testing is right around the corner. The end is in sight.

Some of the silliness is just that -- silliness -- 12 graders acting younger than 9th graders - reliving those middle school years. Some of it is a sense of frustration and anxiety - not knowing what to do with the feelings and emotions. Some of it is outright fear.

Our seniors are just starting the wonderful game of assassins that seems to occupy the last months of many of our senior in the city and beyond. For a few bucks you can bet that you will be the last left standing in this game of attacks and defense and complicated rules.

Unfortuantely this game can result in some hurt feelings, physical injury and misunderstandings. Just think about your son or daughter hiding in the bushes outside one of his/her friends house at dark with a water pistol. The idea is to wait and when the "victum" comes out to walk the dog or whatever it is that is a noticeable routine, the attacker is going to ambush that person and move on.

But let us just suppose that a friendly neighbor see this person hiding with what looks like a gun and calls the police. What happens next could be rather interesting and -- hopefully not -- very painful. Oh, your young person says - that will never happen to me. I certainly hope not.

Just to be clear -- this game is NOT a school activity and is not permitted by the school on school property, during school time or at any school function. To put it in your son/daughter's language, school is a safe zone. Put the toys away and keep them away. I understand the feelings and emotions behind all of this but that does not change the fact that it can be very harmful to some. The idea of "killing" each other, even in fun, are not the memories I want you to leave Southwest with.

I want these last few weeks to be good, positive memories that will last a very long lifetime. Yes, there will be moments of fun and moments of tears. I want all of our kids to be safe.