Forum Editorial: Ringing in a new year

EDITORIAL MUG: Editorial art Vertical

Happy New Year!

As students across northwest Missouri return to classrooms and college students move in at Northwest Missouri State University, the regular routine takes shape again. Even for those of us with empty nests, there’s a certain regularity that comes from the familiar squeal of school buses in the morning and the steady buzz of students at their home away from home on campus that makes it feel like we’re just getting started on the year, doesn’t it?

We wish parents the best of luck with getting kids to the school bus on time again — or just to school on time with all items of clothing accounted for. It’s best to start small.

And we wish students even better in getting back into the swing of learning. There’s no swing too big, we’ve found.

We also wish for the community to keep safety in mind as kids begin their morning trek to the bus stop or school. It is important to remember that young minds and short legs do not necessarily equal quick response time. Remember to slow down in school zones and neighborhoods.

As school begins it’s important to remember that several new school entrances — including the slew of improvements we lauded in this space last week — have incorporated safety features that should be utilized, not circumnavigated. The safety of our students and children is not something to take for granted.

And as our community thrums to life in a different way after the long (and yet, seemingly very short) summer, we welcome all the new and returning Bearcats who’ve come from near and far. Welcome home — it’s been too quiet without you.

Happy New Year to all of us.