10th grade seems to be old school

Education is what remains after one has forgotten what one has learned in school.

-- Albert Einstein

I went with my son to the school open house the other night, and it looks like his 10th grade is going to be a lot like mine.

There is chemistry, Spanish and English (now called literature and composition), which even takes a stab at Shakespeare with Julius Caesar .

For the first time in a while, new school is beginning to look like the old school I remember.

He seemed to know where all his new classrooms were, walking through side doors, ducking down corridors and frequently swinging outside rather than taking the crowded hallways.

"It's quicker" he told slow-moving Dad, trailing behind him.

I followed, smiling and nodding at fellow parents, who looked vaguely familiar from years past, although -- like their children -- they're growing older, too.

I did have some fun in his new math class. We were the only ones there at first, and he was chatting with his new teacher as I stood patiently by the door.

Two young girls walked up, and one mistook me for the instructor.

"I think I have you for math," she said cheerfully.

"Well, I hope you like homework," I said sternly.

(Sometimes I think I missed my calling.)

STILL TRAVELING: Kathy and Harry Hamm are spending seven days at Destin, Fla., where the beach is like sugar. Kent and Rhonda Strite and their six "Stritelets" are enjoying a wonderful time in Hamburg, Pa. Robby was in the great North Woods. Pat and Kathryne Regules send greetings from Hilton Head Island, where they are vacationing with the Ballases .

Barbara and George Brandi and Chris Green are on a Disney cruise.

James and Camilla Hooper , of Edgefield, send cards from New Mexico and Texas.

Pat and Wayne Fuller , of North Augusta, are relaxing in north Georgia.

Lewis Garwood and Marilyn Barnes visited family in Nebraska. LaTonya Pressley did the same in Oklahoma. George and Vivian Counts send a card from Los Angeles, where they attended a grandson's wedding.

And Donna and Emily Hadden say hello from France and Italy, where the weather is "very hot, just like home."

TODAY'S JOKE: The children had all been photographed, and the teacher was trying to persuade each of them to buy a copy of the group picture.

"Just think how nice it will be to look at it when you are all grown up and say, 'There's Jennifer; she's a lawyer,' or 'That's Michael; he's a doctor.' "

A small voice at the back of the room rang out, "And there's the teacher; she's dead."

Reach Bill Kirby at (706) 823-3344 or bill.kirby@augustachronicle.com.