Bill Geist's Zeitgeist

Simply Brilliant

Here in Wisconsin, today marks the first day back to school. The end of summer. The end of fun.

But, not so at the nearby Lone Girl Brewing Company.

This morning, parents are invited to drop their kids off at school and head to Lone Girl for "Bevs and Breakfast" from 7:30 to 10:30 am.

On their website: "Who said Back to School was just for the kids?  Leave the ABCs to them and join us for some ADULTing at our Back to School Party! 

Drop off the little scholars and swing by for a brew-tiful morning. We’ve got the three Rs covered: Relax, Recharge, and Refreshment! Plus, grab a light breakfast and raise a toast to freedom!

 

See you at the brewery – where class is always in session."

 

If we didn't have a full morning of client calls, we'd be there even though we no longer have kids in school...just to see the joy on those parent faces.

 

So smart.

They'll Try Almost Anything

For over 20 years, public schools in Wisconsin have started classes on September 1st...a hard fought compromise that makes a degree of sense, as it aligns with the start date of the University of Wisconsin system. Half the time, the economy benefits by getting a full summer of visitor spending...and half the time school administrators get to start early.

The only advantage of a pre-Labor Day start I've ever heard that makes even a shred of sense is that, by starting early, schools can finish the first semester at the Holiday break (so that kids do better on semester tests). Of course, that begs the question...how good is our education system if kids can't be counted upon to retain first semester learning for two weeks? 

Virtually every year, a number of school districts petition the State to start earlier than September 1st. Occasionally, there is a valid reason (like a construction project)...but, more often than not, the rationale is pretty lame.

But none as lame as the most recent. Green Bay will be hosting the 2025 NFL Draft in April...and School Administrators have seized upon that as their rationale why school must start before September 1st next year. Never mind that April falls after first semester testing and that the Spring calendar is always up for grabs with guessing how many snow days will occur.

OMG...it's the NFL Draft! Oh, the humanity. Save the children. We must start school in August!

Really?

Hey, School Administrators? You can stop this silliness anytime.

But, you won't, will you?