I guess timing is everything (or nothing) when it comes to measuring your life with a calendar. A week from today, children in kindergarten through sixth grade begin a new year of classes at Norwich Public Schools, which is also the same day classes start at the Sachem Campus of Norwich Free Academy and the first day for 9th graders at NFA. Didn't we just wish everyone a great summer last week? Certainly feels like it.
Like you, I've been seeing back to school displays in stores everywhere for weeks as the retail sector has its own calendar that moves even swifter than the one the rest of us have hanging in our kitchens.
Speaking of back to school, we are smack in the middle of Connecticut Sales Tax Free Week which and which should have an asterisk because what's 'sales tax free' is most apparel (to include square dancing clothes) and shoes (such as 'bicycle sneakers without cleats') costing less than one hundred dollars. And before you ask, no, I did not make any of that up; that's how they are described on the Department of Revenue's Chart of Exempt and Taxable Items.
We can combine our back to school shopping trips with money-saving and patronize local businesses so that more of our dollars stay here where we live and continue to support those merchants who help make our community a better place for all of us.
As we head towards autumn, perhaps this is a good time to check those kitchen calendars to see if we can't find space and time that allows us to volunteer for one or more of the many activities we have across our city, like the Greek Food Festival, A Taste of Italy or Walktober through dozens (if not hundreds) of others. We all enjoy going to them, right? And while it's nice to believe they run on rainbows, all of them rely on volunteer power, which is where you and I come in.
There's an 80/20 rule of volunteering about who does the work and who enjoys the fruits of that work but my larger point is there isn't a single aspect of our community that would not be better for more of us getting involved and engaged.
I mentioned the start of the new school year and not just for parents of school children but for all of us, a great place to lend a hand and stay close to home is our local Norwich Public School. We certainly had enough to say last May and June about our schools during City Council budget hearings. But we all have a stake, all-year round. The children in my house and perhaps yours are grown and gone, but their graduations shouldn't mean the end of our interest and engagement.
Start by attending a parent-teacher conference or a Board of Education meeting and see what happens and what can happen next. Summer's ending and it's time to become a bigger part of where we call home. Pick your passion and begin.
-bill kenny
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