The Forsyth Central High School switched their collective tassels from one side to the other yesterday.

And with that, it was over.

It’s been coming to this for some time. It just seemed impossible that it would happen so quickly. In what seemed like the lifespan of a flashbulb, my connection to Forsyth County Schools became old news.

Memories are really flashbacks. 

One of the boys needed to be walked in, the other jumped out of the car with a “Bye Dad.” That’s a glimpse as to how different the two brothers have always been.

Theater for one, baseball for the other. And the list goes on. Never mind the differences, I sit at this keyboard wondering why that flashbulb had to go off so soon.

As parents, we realize there are no do-overs. There were all those times when we soothed their fears and said not to worry about that scary lightning and thunder.

I wouldn’t mind showing my prowess as Super Dad by spritzing under the bed with liquid from a bottle labeled “Monster Repellent.” 

Now in a seemingly cruel twist, the sense of being frightened falls to me and Vicki, wondering if we should have done better. 

If the finished product is a report card, we earned A’s. But I’d still like to have one more crack at it.  

Parenting is years of flying by the seat of your pants. It’s appearing to know everything while hoping you didn’t make the dumbest decision ever.

I still remember hearing “I love you, Dad” for the first time. 

Parenting is wanting what’s best for your kids, then trying to figure what really is best. It’s bristling when someone has delivered a slight to one of them, then trying to give a lesson about tolerance and forgiveness.

My graduation speech would have been comprised of all those aspects.

From the first day of kindergarten until yesterday, it’s having skin in the game of education. Activities revolved around the whacky school calendar that continues to make little sense.

School board members, listen up: I’m still waiting to hear how the “stop-go” calendar, with a fall, Christmas and Easter break (shame on me for using the “C and E” words, but old habits die hard) is more beneficial than a June-September summer break.

I will never buy the tripe that a shorter summer equates to the kids hitting the halls in the fall, fresh off an abbreviated break, better prepared to learn.

From here, I see your calendar playing complete havoc with parents who work. And early release for what seems like a monthly occurrence is a burden on parents’ schedules.

And do you really think teachers relish all those meetings? In my world salespeople hate meetings. They’d rather be in front of customers. Salespeople are happiest when they are selling.

I would hope teachers would be in front of students, I’d bet good teachers would.

And good teachers do their best with low pay and a humongous workload. They deserve more in their paychecks.

While we’re on the subject of checks, I am puzzled how kids are being taught to solve the simplest of math problems. They run the Indy 500 when they only need to get to Publix.

One final diatribe: Kids have debit cards, but can any of them write out a simple check? How about balancing a checkbook? Can any one of them figure out percentages?

I’ve Never used Algebra since I got out of high school. Learning simple math was a savior. 

Our kids need to learn how to speak, communicate more effectively, shake hands. It might come in handy when interviewing for a job.

Granted, we as parents need to do our part. But teaching things kids can use will help everyone be a little better. 

I implore you to always appreciate you will always get the kids as sponges and you have them for those four years that will make a huge difference in their lives.

As for the Class of 2019, I am graduating with you. The time is approaching where you’ll be asked to carry the ball. 

I’d ask three things of you and I’d think your parents would be OK with them:

1. Set attainable goals for yourself.

2. Have a vision as to how you will accomplish those goals.

3. Share your vision.

Finally, please know that you matter. In the future, you’ll be asked to fix what’s broke.

We’re counting on you!

Mike Tasos’ column is published every other Sunday.  Note to parents: Please remember the flash bulb that is kindergarten to graduation. Comments can be sent to miketasos@earthlink.net. He is also on Facebook.