Yes, it’s true. I hate the first day of school. Hate it — with a passion. You heard me. Haaaaaaaaaate it.

I hate it like a 15-year-old boy hates homework (or a 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18 or 41 year old … the point being, boys don’t like homework). I hate it like my 8-year-old daughter hates boys. (I can sense her disgust for boys slowly fading away. I am afraid that I am in for some long and painful years between now and when she turns 21.)

Did I mention that I hate the first day of school? Good. Just so we are all on the same page (and as long as that page isn’t a worksheet or a term paper).

If you are asking yourself, why does he hate the first day so much? The opening of school is such a positive experience.

Students are excited to be back in a routine (even if they don’t admit it), parents are unusually excited for the students to be out of their house (they can’t wait to admit it) and the teachers are usually ready to start a new year (some will reluctantly admit it).

The start of school means fall is coming. The leaves will be turning colors. The weather is cooling down. Football is about to begin. And don’t forget Christmas is just around the corner (can someone please tell me why time is going by faster and faster … there used to be 24 hours in a day).

Still, even with all of these good things happening, I hate it.

The first day of school is exhausting — more mentally than physically (although my feet do hurt on the first day … every year. Mental note: next year, hold off on wearing the new school shoes until day 2).

So much work goes into the opening of school. It is unbelievable how much time and energy goes into reviewing rules and policies that everyone on staff was following only three short months ago.

Now pay attention, because I am only going to say this once.

As someone who has been adamantly opposed to year round school. As someone who treasures his time off. As a person who excitedly looks forward to summer even more than a boy who is getting a Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas (that is my second holiday reference in an August blog … very impressive if you ask me … and I just realized that no one is asking me, so let’s move on).

Here it goes. I’m taking you at your word that this stays our little secret. Don’t ever repeat this. Because I will deny it: I think year round school might be a good idea.

I can’t believe that those heinous words just came out of my mouth. I feel a little dirty (I may need to shower before continuing).

Yes, I hate the first day of school because of all the time and effort it requires. It’s amazing to me the amount of things that need to be addressed that everyone took for granted just two and a half months ago: discipline, how to take attendance, putting grades in the computer, etc. … it goes on and on.

Wouldn’t it be easier (and better for the students) to go year round and take shorter breaks?

Oh my gosh, I said it again. I think I’m going to be sick.

I have become the national poster boy for year round school (by national, I mean the 12 people who read this … yes, my readership is way up … thank you very much).

My proposal is as follows: nine weeks of school, three weeks off.

And of course a longer vacation during the summer. I haven’t hashed that part of the plan out just yet. Although, I am thinking a summer vacation should last somewhere between four and 32 weeks.

You see, while I am now a proponent of year round schooling, I still love my summers.

To read more blog entries by Michael Smith, visit his site PrincipalsPage.com.