We interrupt this tour of the history of Beauneville to note that today is the first day of school in Beauneville.
Today, the youngest children walk to Beauneville Grammar; the tweens walk to Beauneville Academy; and the teens walk to Beauneville Latin. All three schools occupy a campus on Main Street, each to its own building. Everyone walks to school; even those who live on the far outskirts of town are no more than a mile from campus.
The schools of Beauneville are actually private academies, chartered and endowed by August Beaune to offer free education to every child living in Beauneville. Tuition cost is not a barrier to attendance, but students may be dismissed for bad behavior or poor grades. This rarely happens, however, because students who cannot attend one of the Beauneville academies must attend the mega-factory school in Stapleton, which is part of the Greater Washington County Regional School District. That school has a budget larger than the total amount spent on education by some third world countries and it leaves no child behind, but it does graduate some students who cannot read.
The educational philosophy of the three academies is straightforward: teachers teach, and students learn. The curriculum prepares students to study the liberal arts; students who prefer a technical education may drop out and attend the mega-factory school, but few do. School libraries have books, not computers, and most of the books are classics; this keeps the cost of textbooks down.
Modernism, deviance and educational fads are neither promoted nor prohibited. If the Young Women's Club wishes to stage The Vagina Monologues, they may do so. In the face of openness and tolerance, however, students soon learn the limits of shock. Thus, students in the Drama Club propose to stage Shakespeare's Coriolanus this fall.
This philosophy is written in stone over the front doors of Beauneville Latin: Quisquam Est Licitus, Quoad Est Sapor; anything is permitted as long as it's tasteful. Some folks quibble over that translation, but that's what August Beaune thought it meant.
At Beauneville Latin, there are six hours of class each day. Each class is fifty-five minutes, and starts on the hour. Doors open at eight in the morning for what is called "Assembly"; students arrive when they want to before nine, sign in and mingle with other students. The Headmaster would prefer not to take attendance, but it is required for the state charter. The first class is at nine. Three classes are held before noon, when students have an hour for lunch. Classes resume at one and proceed to four. Many students do not take six classes, and leave early.
This morning, Roderick arrives around eight-thirty, with Molly; they have walked to school together since first grade, and whenever they have the same class they invariably sit together. This behavior does not go unnoticed. Amanda Dennis, who makes it her business to know all, is convinced they are a number and determined to learn the details; Sarah Flapper, who resents Molly's presence as she is certain that it inhibits her from getting on with Roderick; and Donnie Clapper, who just wants to get into Molly's pants.
Mary, Margaret and Catherine Bloom walked as far as Elm Street with Molly, who peeled off there to walk with Roderick. This is Mary's first year at Beauneville Latin; she has fond memories of a summer spent going to church, helping Mrs. Bloom around the house, taking care of Mrs. Peacock and underage sex. Margaret is midway through Beauneville Academy; a black belt in sodoku, she is scary smart. Catherine is secretly accompanied by Mr. Fuzzums, who rides safely in her backpack.
Bibi Ericson arrives early, with her twin brother Jock. They are new to the school, and wish to make a good start. Bibi has decided to bow to convention and wear clothes to school -- she would be admitted even if she didn't -- but even fully dressed she is blindingly hot. Especially fully dressed, since she is wearing a "schoolgirl" look, with braids, tight sweater, kilt and knee socks. Jock arrives, slightly flushed. He has already run ten miles before school, pressed a hundred pounds and installed a composting toilet.
Natasha and Henry arrive together. Amanda notes in her notebook that Natasha seems a little heavy.
Megan Cupcake, buxom and bubbly, was one of the earliest to arrive. She was happy to find Roger Witherspoon, Katie Zeppelin, Dickie Wickett, Willard Woofington and many of her classmates arrived early, too. They all chatted excitedly about their summers. Except for Dickie, of course, who sat by himself and read science.
Everyone agrees: it will be an interesting year.
