Back to school!

The calendar says fall does not officially begin until Sept. 23. But for about 42,000 public school students in Hamilton County, there may be a bit of sadness that summer break is over and they must return to school today.

Fortunately, any sorrow they might feel at seeing the carefree days of summer vacation pass will likely be matched by excitement about the first day of the new school year. That means new teachers, new classmates, new courses and, for many, a new building as they transition into higher grades.

This is a time of anticipation and hope -- and we suspect that there are a few grown-ups out there who are perhaps just a little envious that they are not heading back to school this fall themselves.

It's also a time for fresh beginnings.

So we urge every student in Hamilton County to jump into the new academic year with a determination to take full advantage of the educational opportunities provided.

Of course, not all schoolwork is fun, and certainly not every student likes every subject equally.

But there are wonderful prospects and rewards for students who will apply themselves vigorously to their studies and absorb as much knowledge in every subject as they possibly can.

Some of those rewards are tangible: High school and college graduates generally earn a good deal more money over their lifetimes than those who drop out of school.

But there are equally important intangible benefits of education. Developing a love of reading, for instance, can enrich anyone's life and open up a whole new world of interesting ideas.

Therefore, we wish all our local students every success as they embark on or continue their academic careers this year. The possibilities are endless for those who work hard and set high expectations for themselves.

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