Another school year is underway. Once again, the slate is wiped clean as students and teachers begin a new adventure.

This is always an exciting time in the world of education. Students, finally bored with staying home, are ready to see their friends again and -- hopefully -- ready for another chance to begin preparation for life. Teachers, often also finally bored with staying home, are anxious for the new crop of students and another opportunity to help mold the future.

As this months go by, and the inevitable problems arise, it becomes easy to forget the significance of what is happening in classrooms throughout the county. Our youngest citizens are learning to play well with others, the elementary students are mastering essential skills, the middle schoolers are beginning to cope with an entrance into adulthood, and the high school students are gaining the skills and knowledge that will be used in future classrooms or jobs.

Along the way, there are sports, clubs, friendships formed and broken, emotional upheavals, discipline problems, and countless other events that form each school year.

All of this is part of the learning process.

All of this is forms one of the most significant aspects of the lives of our young people.

Have a good school year, kids. Make the most of it, teachers.