Our children are off this week on new adventures. Whether they are going to school for the first time in their young lives, making the dramatic change from elementary school to Middle School or Middle School to High School, or off to college, we share with them these opportunities for growth and achievement. We wish them all a school year full of wonder and excitement and learning. And, for their parents, the joy of seeing them grow, physically and intellectually.

Learning is magical. Remember the thrill of watching your first grader read from his or her first book, moving their chubby fingers from word to word and mouthing See Spot run? How about conquering those difficult spelling words or memorizing the multiplication tables? What about learning to play the flute or fielding that ball perfectly to first base?

Watching children make those kind of advances is one of the joys of parenting, and at every stage they continue to amaze and thrill us with their "magic."

Learning is also hard work. It doesn’t come easy and it can often be stressful and difficult. Students face personal challenges that sometimes put them behind their peers, or result in disciplinary problems. There are family issues and social issues and all of the other stresses of life that creep into, and disrupt, the learning process.

But there is also the strong commitment of so many who are there to step in and do what is necessary to help children learn and prosper. From the taxpayers who give so generously to provide good schools, to the administrators, teachers and staff who are there every day doing what is needed for every child, we support education in our communities.

Learning is essential. We are living in a complicated world that demands a growing understanding of all of its aspects from all of its citizens. Comprehensive and well rounded lessons in history, geography, mathematics, science, technology, philosophy and language are vital disciplines for the next generation of Americans who face a very different world than their parents. Our freedom and our way of life depends on the education we provide for those that come after us.

Finally, learning is a human right. We are sure many parents have some horror stories about how the educational system has failed their child. And, those stories are disturbing. More than that they remind us that we need to be vigilant advocates for our children.

But every day, in every school in our communities, children are learning and growing. Some have more ability, some have more parental support, some are more interested and able to learn. For all, however, there is opportunity and the chance to overcome limits to become the best that they can be.

To parents and children this school year, we offer this: Work hard, overcome difficulties and let the magic begin.