You got your paperless office; your recycleable containers; your hybrid automobiles. But what about a paperless school? No chance of that happening any time soon.
My kids' last day of school is tomorrow. Bavaria is the very last school system to let out for the oh-so-brief warm weather in Germany. Each day has been a course in paper management. Old school projects from two grades ago that gathered dust during the two years they shared the same classroom burst into the house and land somewhere between the front door and the kitchen. I have managed to maneuver most of it onto shelves, into file folders and, for the absolute irreparable, into the trash. At the same time the teacher gave us a list of school supplies for the next school year. Just as we're handling one pile of papers, we're required to buy the next batch.
The amazing thing is to look back on all that our kids did this past school year. Then, as we enter summer vacation mode, we have a broader understanding about why their faces are finally relaxed. No more pressure, just pleasure and fun.
We're a long way from paperless schools, but at least we can leave them behind us for a few weeks of non-academic experience!
