The signs are everywhere – stores, roads, churches, and schools. Yes, even on the faces of parents and kids; It’s time to go back to school.
My neighborhood’s schools open yesterday and other schools around me opened Thursday, and few like mine, open next week. There isn’t a set day to go back or let out. The only days many of our school districts have in common are the holidays and spring break in my county.
I passed the elementary school where our kids went from August 2003 until May 2014 and where we spent Halloweens, parent conferences, daddy-daughter dances, carnivals, and much more. Our kids had only one year when both were attending together; one was in fifth grade and the other a kindergartner.
I asked them for their memories of their time as Tremendous Tigers and this is what they responded:
- “0ne time I got a splinter playing capture the flag”
- “The memories of spectacular field days filled with fresh watermelon, with class filled participation and always looking forward to explore more days at the end of each year”
- Both were nominated at some point as “Tremendous Tigers.”
My kids are not going to back to school this August, their days are done for the moment. One is raising twin boys, and the other is figuring out next steps.
I am headed back for my twenty-seventh year as a teacher, but I am still learning.
I’ve been back for two days – mostly meetings to go over new initiatives and procedures, celebrate accomplishments and career milestones, and for an hour on Thursday – meeting a few of the kiddos and parents I’ll have in my classroom. It was the best hour of the two days.
It’s Saturday and the last weekend before the kiddos arrive on Tuesday. I have Monday to work in my classroom and prepare for the first few days. I’ll be looking for signs and taking the first steps to welcome kiddos to their first year in middle school.
The Sign of the Week has been published on Fridays, but I ran out of time this week. I’ll be looking for new signs and maybe a few old ones this coming week. And who knows, I might even publish on Friday next week.
Today is going to be like the all of the Saturdays since school ended – AMAZING. I know it and I can feel it, so I’d better jump up, jump in, and seize the day. Making the Days Count, one day at a time, getting ready for a new year of teaching and learning, always paying attention to the signs.
Do you notice the back to school signs?
I thought the sign behind you said Sullen Sharks and I wondered, for a moment, what kind of inspirational name that was supposed to be! LOL LOL LOL. I see signs all over the place that school is starting. Most of them start next week. Some have started. It all seems too early for me. I want kids to be able to enjoy a longer, lazy summer, all the way through Labor Day. I don’t know when it changed, but that’s the way I remember summers. Of course my vote doesn’t count, especially since we don’t have kids at all. But I wish for more summer days for all of you.
You are going to have an amazing year, and your kiddos are so lucky to have you for a teacher, especially in their first year of Middle School…that’s such a pivotal year. 6th grade, when I was in it, was still at the elementary school. Mrs Whipple, my 6th grade teacher was older than the mountains and retired after our class. Somewhere I have the newspaper article about the retirement party we gave her. She must have been at least 106, at least in my 12 year old eyes.
106! That’s probably how old my kiddos think I am. Ha! Thank you for the kind words, I hope I can live up to them this year. We have a teacher workday today, then kids tomorrow. There will be a lot of excitement and energy tomorrow as we are all on best behavior. I have been saving a lot of grace for the first few days as I know some kids will get lost, or won’t be able to get into their lockers, but it all works out. It is hard to believe how much they grow in their first year. Have a great week.
Tremendous Tigers – what a great elementary school! Love that your favorite hour was the one when you met new students and families! We’re not starting for a couple of weeks so not as many welcome back signs yet but it’s so fun to see yours!
The kids are the best, that’s what I enjoy the most. Each of our schools – elementary, middle, and high school really prepared our children for their next steps. I know when the ned of the year comes, I’ve done all I can to get my Sharks ready for the next year. Mr. D is headed to first grade and Miss O to fifth? Oh my, enjoy your last few weeks of summer.