School children have one advantage of which adults can only dream — a fresh do-over every year.

Each school year is a new beginning, a fresh chance to be the best you can be.

But as the older, wiser adults, it’s our job to help our children see what a wonderful opportunity is before them.

Some area school children started classes Thursday. Others will return within the next week.

Many will be nervous and some may exhibit bad behavior and a nonchalant attitude, but it’s up to the adults to not only set the bar for academic excellence high, but also to give our children a needed boost to reach it.

And just as children are beginning a new school year, parents are, too.

To those parents who weren’t as involved as they wanted to be last year, start fresh now. Resolve to attend school functions, help with homework and let your children know you are watching.

And remember, your children can only rise to the expectations you set for them, but a low bar likely won’t be surpassed.

We hope the new school year is a great one for all our children, parents and teachers. What happens in the walls of our schools is more important to our economic future than any other thing around us.

Let’s focus our attention where it needs to be.