Though most of the northerners in the US are out of school for weather-related reasons — our girls are out because of the county stock show.  uh huh. 

<shaking head>

<shrugging shoulders>

<picking mouth up off of floor>

I am, once again, beside myself.  This makes as much sense as closing the school because the football team actually made a touchdown!

When my academically-enriched children participate in an ACADEMIC event – such as UIL, they are released for the day with an excused absense.  It doesn’t release them from homework, but it means we don’t have to take them to the doctor to get a “get out of jail free” card!

So, why-oh-why can’t the same ring true for the local stock show?  Yes, we’re in Texas, where a lot of credence is given to those who raise and show animals.  Yes, we live in a rural community where folks have ranches and ranchitas – heck, we even raise chickens (though not for show – we like the eggs)!  But, remember, half of our school population lives at the local children’s home – where they don’t raise and show animals at the stock show!

Just looking at the calendar, perhaps the kids wouldn’t have to go to school for TWO days in June, if they’d have just given the stock show kids an excused absence for today and tomorrow and let the other 80% – 90% get an education within the confines of their SCHOOL.  Wow, there’s a novel idea!!!