Today is the first day of school – WITH KIDS! I am excited. I have spent the summer resting, relaxing, and re-setting for this day. The best part of teaching is every year you get to start all over and begin again. Today is the day. I remember my mom telling me, “You don’t get a second chance to make a first impression.” I am ready.
I remember my first day of school. It was at Lakeview Elementary in Sugar Land, Texas. It was 1968 and Lakeview is still there, though all of the teachers have since retired. I remembered trying to find my name on the class lists posted on the door and my first grades year with Mrs. Pricadik. I remember learning to read with Dick and Jane, recess, and eating in the cafeteria. We always had hamburgers on Wednesday and fish on Friday. I drove by when I was in Sugar Land a couple of weeks ago. It hasn’t changed much. The cafeteria is still there, the auditorium, the gym and the old fourth and fifth grade wing. The temporary buildings I remembered were gone but it looked the same as I remember. But, I know, much has changed since my days wandering the halls – perhaps because I (and a few of my friends) wandered the halls – there is change.
It has been a great summer and I am sad for it to be over, really. However, a diet of all summer is not good either. I spent my last weekend BK – before kids – relaxing and getting things done around the house. Saturday, I ran errands and went to see a movie with Beth and the kids. We divided and conquered – Beth and I saw Midnight in Paris and the kids saw Transformers 3. I liked the movie, Beth didn’t. We finished the day at Smashburger and I couldn’t help but think I could have made a better burger, but I just didn’t have the energy. After church Sunday, I repaired a couple of pull-chain light sockets one of which took too long, folded some laundry, and cooked dinner – the last summer dinner of the year – BK. BBQ chicken, cucumber salad, and blueberry crisp with vanilla ice cream for dessert.
Summer is over and I am ready. The kids, William and Olivia, are ready, too. Though they would deny it, they are looking forward to starting school. Their first day of school is tomorrow, Beth is excited about having her house back, and I am excited to have a regular schedule, again. Yes, there is something about a daily rhythm where I have to be at a set place at a set time.
Today will go quickly – attendance, details, details, and a lot of sit and ‘git.’ The kids will be back Tuesday and ready to learn. The week will evaporate before my eyes and I will be overwhelmed with to dos and grading. Making the Days Count, one day at a time.
What do you remember about your first day of school or a first day of school, any year – middle school, high school, or college?