Summer’s heat might still be hanging in the air, but the ocean and the chlorine-filled community pools are devoid of the masses coming to cool in their waters.
A new school year has begun in the Diocese of Camden for its 28 elementary and nine secondary schools, and bathing suits have been replaced with uniforms. Sandy beach chairs have been stored in garages, their former owners now occupying wooden desks. Sweeping views of an ocean horizon have been replaced with blackboards and Smartboards. Lifeguards with whistles have been replaced by teachers with chalk, rulers and books.
In the coming months, the barbecues, pool parties and yard games will give way to pop quizzes, Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas parties, and early morning practices on the field.
The yellow busses are gassed up, the apples are piling up on the teacher’s desk, and you can smell the freshly-pressed contact paper.
The days of school left until the start of summer vacation: 178. Let the countdown begin.