Attending the first day of school is important
State Sen. James Meeks, how in the world do you think by telling the kids to all stay home on the first day of school is going to benefit them? Both you and your fellow pastors are sending the wrong message. The ones that want to learn will learn. They will not learn anything roaming the streets.

You see, Sen. Meeks, Chicago probably has the best schools around the country. I am 75 and born and raised in the Logan Square and Bucktown areas of Chicago. I did attend one of the finest elementary and high schools in Chicago. One was Avondale Elementary and Lane Tech High. I did exactly what you are telling the kids to do, and that is to not go to school opening day ... wrong.

Yep. I showed up on the day after Labor Day and then missed many other days both in elementary school and high school by playing what I thought was cool and smart; we called it hooky.

Oh, I learned what I wanted to learn and then left high school to seek out the world. Bad mistake on my part.

Kids that stay in school get a good education before you tackle the world. Today the military won’t take you without a diploma. When I left school I went into our Armed Forces. That was one of the good things I did in life. A great life. Good luck to all.
Dick Wystock, Stickney