Back to School

We've been enjoying the splendid weather here!  It's a nice break from the summer heat, but then, it is September. What!? September already? Seems like summer goes so fast, but the cooler weather of fall is always nice. A few mild weeks, then the pretty colors and frosty nights, and then.... we won't talk about that just yet. Let's enjoy the seasons as they come. Technically, it's still summer, unless you're a student.

Speaking of students, they're all back in school now, hitting the books and playing soccer. At least that's the life for my grandchildren who live nearby. I think my Michigan grandchildren go back to school right after Labor Day. Their Momma has been counting down the days. It's great for the children to get a summer break, but the Mommas need a break too. Hooray for September!

The Amish children began school this week. This is a good time to remind everyone in our area to drive cautiously in the mornings and mid-afternoons. The Amish kids walk along the roads - sometimes in pretty large groups. It pays to watch out for them. They are kids, after-all, and don't always look out for themselves as carefully as they should.

A group just got out of school at Jericho yesterday right after I walked past. They were energetically singing a song as I passed the school. I paused to listen. It was not familiar to me, but they sang with great gusto, and the sound carried quite well out through the open windows.

I spoke with a lady from church earlier this week who was a career school teacher in a public school. She's retired now, but still has a love for education. She visited a number of the Amish schools in our area recently and spoke with the teachers. She learned that the schools in our area have an average enrollment ranging from about 20 to 30 students. That's all eight grades. When you drive the roads around here, it seems like there is a small Amish school about every three miles or so. Some are used only by the Swartzentruber Amish, and others are primarily Old Order. They do mix some though, depending on the neighborhood mix of Amish.

We're going to wrap up this post with some pictures below, and a few comments to go along with them.

From Kidron, OH, we hope you have a wonderful weekend!  Hug your loved ones. Tell them they are loved. Make a child smile today. So long.

Beech Grove School.  One of the most well-known Amish schools in our area.  Just south of State Route 250, on Kidron Road.

This is probably the oldest, and is named "Johnson" school.  It was formerly a public school. The nameplate above the door says 1909. It looks to be in poor shape. But here is where the Amish students learn reading, writing, and arithmetic. Eight grades of it. The classes are taught in English. Until they go to school, the Amish kids don't know much English. Their teachers are usually young Amish women who are still single. There are exceptions to this. I knew one married male teacher. 
 He lost his life two years ago in a horse-and-wagon accident. He has been sorely missed. He left behind a dear widow and six children. He truly loved teaching.

"Jericho Amish School."
This is one of the newest Swartzentruber Amish schools in our area.  Not far from my home.