This Thursday was my husband’s last day of work . . . after 37 years in education, he has officially retired. He spent 11 years in the classroom as a high school social studies teacher, another 11 years as a high school principal, and the last 15 as a superintendent or assistant superintendent. He’s worked in three states and in large suburban districts with 20,000 students and small, rural ones with less than 2,000. He opened a brand-new high school which won a U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon School of Excellence award and had to oversee the closing of a small elementary school which first opened its doors over 80 years ago. He’d be the first to tell you that the last several years have been the toughest as funds for education have dwindled and negotiations with unions have become more difficult. But he’s always enjoyed working with students, and even when he no longer taught every day, he made it a point to visit classrooms often and continue to make contact with those kids and observe great teachers working their magic. And I’m sure, after he’s kicked back and reveled in not having to attend school board meetings, oversee expulsion hearings and maintain a tight daily schedule, he’ll find volunteer opportunities to work with kids and share his experience and wisdom gained over so many years in the field. Meanwhile, I think we’ll both be adjusting to lives not regulated by the school year. Since kindergarten through graduate school, teaching jobs, our daughters’ school careers and then Harry’s administrative posts, we’ve planned vacations based on spring and winter breaks, summer jobs and longer breaks. As the days lengthened and May turned into June, we’ve yearned for the final bell and freedom from books and lesson plans. That anticipation was always matched by the excitement of September’s approach. Shopping for school supplies (ah, brand-new Pink Pearl erasers; fresh boxes of unbroken crayons; crisp, unblemished Pee-Chees!), the potential for starting new friendships and rekindling old ones took the sting out of losing those lazy summer days to the structure of a new school year. And yes, those feelings were with us as much as adults as they were when we were in grade school! There may be a bit of wistfulness in our household this coming fall, but I have a feeling we’ll get over it. And I’m pretty sure Harry isn’t going to be spending too much time worrying about it this summer! — Patty Vanikiotis, associate editor/copy editor