So, Who Do The Bells Toll For?

I read that some schools have eliminated bells. Some studies have found that bells create anxiety among students, so these schools rely on teachers to keep track of the time and send their students along at the appropriate times. That's fine with me. We never really had bells, they were more like digital approximations of WWII klaxons that would go off at 150 decibels every 45 minutes. The thing these kids will miss out on is that last bell on that last day of school. What was once and for so long a painful sound is for one final time the best and happiest thing you've ever heard in your short life. I don't think Mrs. Martin waving goodbye and wishing you 'Bon Voyage' has quite the same climactic appeal as that bell.