September Reflections: School, Holidays, and History

September marks a transitional period, ushering in autumn, with schools reopening and routines resuming. However, in 2020, this normalcy was disrupted by the ongoing pandemic, raising concerns about safety in schools. The month also includes significant observances like Labor Day, Grandparents’ Day, and Constitution Day, reflecting on national history and values.

updated August 31, 2025

September usually feels like we’re in the home stretch of the year, two thirds of the way through. Where I live, the first day of autumn happens. Vacations end, school resumes, and life settles down into a routine.

Life felt anything but routine in 2020. We’re digging our way out of a viral pandemic that continues to sicken and kill. Continued outbreaks threaten to keep kids and teachers home from school and stop sports. Most large events are cancelled or scaled way down.

For the 2025 school season, parents can assess if their children’s school supports these core prevention strategies recommended by the CDC.

  • Stay up to date with recommended immunizations.
  • Practice good hygiene like washing your hands regularly and cleaning commonly touched surfaces.
  • Take steps for cleaner air as possible in places where people live and work.
  • Persons who have respiratory illness or symptoms stay home until cleared to return.

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Labor Day

In the United States we observe a holiday called Labor Day, although most people get the day off work. Not much happens on Labor Day except in a book and a movie by that name, and I reviewed both in this post.

Labor Day, the holiday and the book

In this post I review the book Labor Day by Joyce Maynard . It explores an unexpected and transformative weekend for a 13-year-old boy named Henry, his emotionally fragile mother Adele, and a mysterious man named Frank.

Grandparents’ Day

Another un-holiday is Grandparents’ Day, usually the second Sunday after Labor Day in the U.S. I think the only people who observe it are grandparents. I shared my grand-parenting journey in this post.

Exploring the HEART of Grandparenting

This post discusses the significance of grandparenting and the impact it has on children’s well-being. In an interview, Dr. Aletha shared her ir experiences and insights as a grandparent, highlighting the role grandparents play in creating lasting memories and passing on traditions. Practical advice on caring for grandchildren is also provided, emphasizing safety and health.

Dates Worth Remembering in September

Although not as well-known or observed as Independence Day (USA), Constitution Day, September 17, is probably more important. This day celebrates the creation of the United States’ government in 1787 as outlined in the Constitution.

If you listen to the news or follow social media, you know that what is and what isn’t “constitutional” creates heated debate, but that very debate is protected by the Constitution-and that’s something to celebrate.

The day is also called Citizenship Day, another concept that is being debated now. I wrote this post about attending a naturalization ceremony, which I found profoundly moving and inspiring.

9/11/2001

One of the darkest days in United States history, as well as the rest of the world is September 11, 2001 when the World Trade Center and the Pentagon were attacked by terrorists. A possible attack on the White House was averted when private citizens caused their hijacked plane to crash in rural Pennsylvania. The country and the world have not been the same since. Read about that historic day here.

Remembering and reading about September 11, 2001

Even though the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States happened long ago, there are still lessons to remember and to learn. This post highlights some of the literature that preserves that knowledge.

Exploring the HEART of health

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Dr. Aletha

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Whose healthcare plan will you choose in 2020?

At least in the memory of anyone alive today, we have never seen a presidential campaign quite like this one, maybe never in United States’ history.

In less than 100 days registered voters in the United States will elect their next President, possibly sooner if you plan to vote absentee or by mail.

Votes will choose from among several candidates-

  • Incumbent president, Donald J. Trump- Republican
  • Former Vice President, Joe Biden-Democrat

And a long list of third party and independent candidates, who may or may not be on the ballot in your state-

  • Jo Jorgenson-Liberarian
  • Howie Hawkins-Green Party
  • Don Blankenship-Constitution Party
  • Kanye West-Birthday Party

Campaign 2020

American presidential campaigns are always contentious, involving often widely different views on

  • the economy
  • taxes/Social Security
  • national security/defense
  • immigration
  • foreign policy
  • jobs/employment
  • education
  • crime/violence/guns
  • healthcare

And this year new issues make this campaign even more raucous than usual with debate on

  • widespread protests
  • rioting/looting
  • misuse of force by police
  • racism/reparations/justice
  • recession/jobs loss
  • evictions/food insecurity
  • business shutdowns
  • school closures
  • public health restrictions
  • overwhelmed hospitals
  • disease and deaths due to COVID-19

At least in the memory of anyone alive today, we have never seen a presidential campaign quite like this one, maybe never in United States’ history.

The candidates speak-

Earlier this year I reviewed the official websites of the Republican and the Democratic political parties and wrote posts summarizing their proposals for healthcare.

Then I visited the campaign websites of the two major party candidates for President of the United States, first reviewing their healthcare stances in general and then their views on the COVID-19 pandemic specifically.

This post contains links to all of those posts so you can easily review them as you carefully consider how you will vote this year. As I said before, I encourage you to read the entire original documents yourself, especially as there may be updates.

Through this blog I do not endorse any particular candidate; if it seems otherwise, that is unintentional and accidental.

Here is a reminder of the structure of the United States Federal government as created by the Constitution
3 BRANCHES OF U.S. GOVERNMENT
3 BRANCHES OF U.S. GOVERNMENT, FROM usa.gov, public domain

The Parties’ Platforms on Healthcare

Healthcare in the 2024 Democratic Platform: Key Points Revealed

The Democratic National Convention concluded with Vice President Kamala Harris nominated for President and Governor Tim Walz for Vice President. The new Party Platform focuses on healthcare, urging protection and expansion of affordable care and Medicaid, as well as tackling issues like gun violence and improving mental health care. Numerous policies and initiatives are detailed,…

Healthcare in the 2024 GOP Platform: Key Points Revealed

The Republican National Convention concluded by nominating Donald Trump as their candidate for the 2024 presidential election, along with a shorter party platform. The platform, “Make America Great Again,” includes 20 promises, with only two related to healthcare. Health topics are dispersed throughout the document. This post offers a brief review.

The President Candidates’ Healthcare Positions and Policies

Donald Trump’s Healthcare Achievements 2016-2020

This post reviews healthcare during Donald Trump’s first presidential term, detailing his achievements from 2016 to 2020 and the political climate surrounding healthcare policies. It discusses the impact of the ACA, Trump’s various healthcare initiatives, and his reelection in 2024 against Kamala Harris after Biden dropped out.

President Joe Biden’s Plan for Healthcare-a review

In 2021, Joseph Biden became the 46th US President, succeeding Donald Trump. In his 2023 State of the Union Address, he addressed healthcare, proposing reforms like Medicare expansion and lower drug costs. His campaign focuses on affordable, quality healthcare, pharmaceutical regulation, reproductive rights, mental health support, and personalized community health plans, with future plans for…

The President Candidates’ COVID-19 pandemic response

Donald Trump’s Actions to Combat the Coronavirus

In 2024, Donald Trump won reelection against Kamala Harris after Joe Biden withdrew. The post recounts Trump’s actions during the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting his administration’s emergency declarations, funding requests, and measures to combat the virus. It emphasizes Trump’s leadership in healthcare response and economic relief for Americans affected by the pandemic.

Joe Biden’s Plan to Combat Coronavirus (COVID-19)

President Joe Biden announced the impending end of the public health emergency due to the significant drop in COVID-19 deaths. The response to the pandemic involved various federal agencies led by the Department of Health and Human Services, as outlined in Biden’s 7-point plan. The plan addressed testing, healthcare, economic support, global response, and climate…

Exploring the HEART of campaign 2020

On Facebook, I share healthcare related posts from Mr. Trump’s and Mr. Biden’s pages, with updates daily.

Celebrate WOMAN SUFFRAGE: 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment, August 18

If there are other presidential candidates on the ballot in your state, review their websites or social media pages. Voting and running for public office are valuable rights; participating in the process is a privilege and responsibility.

a group of lapel buttons, red, white and blue, saying VOTE

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Dr. Aletha