To the editor:

Recently I watched as my 7-year-old grandson climbed the steps for his second-grade year in Lawrence schools. I saw all the smiles from the teachers, the hugs from the parents, the happy faces of kids who were seeing friends again from the previous year. Then, I also recently watched my 18-year old granddaughter pull up to Ellsworth Hall and be greeted by literally hundreds of smiling volunteers who packed up her stuff and helped her to her room on the seventh floor.

I thought then about how these smiles and hugs and helpful hands won’t cease, but rather will continue throughout the coming year without people like me on the sideline observing and appreciating their efforts. Education is what has always been the cornerstone of what has made our towns and states and nation the envy of the rest of the world. Educators have been the constant, positive reason for that.

Take the time this year to thank a teacher, a professor, an aide, a paraprofessional, an administrator, a coach, an art or music instructor, a PTA rep — anyone who continues to make education possible and fruitful for our young people. We are living in a time where turmoil and chaos are so very vivid to us. As an old man who once again was privileged to watch the beginning of another school year, it gave me hope that all of these young people and all those who shepherd them will answer in their own ways that, at least in their environments, good things are ahead of us.

John Tacha,

Lawrence