“School’s Starting Already?”
By
Gerry Niskern
The first thing I always think of when I hear that school is starting is “It’s time to get a Big Chief tablet and a new pencil.” Okay, now you know I started school in the Dark Ages!
I once asked a few people of various ages “What is the first thing that pops into your mind about school starting?” Here are some of their answers.
One five year old in my family who was eagerly waiting to start Kindergarten said,” I think I will learn to read,” and after a long pause, “And I think I will be thinking a lot.” I posed the question to his little sister who was starting Pre-School, but she “took the fifth!”
A granddaughter in middle school looked surprised at my question and answered, “Why, that’s easy. The first thing I always think about school starting is now we can go shopping for clothes.”
One fifty-something in our family answered. “I remember my first thought when I started first grade was, “I’ll get to ride the school bus with the little red-haired girl. Maybe I’ll get to hold her hand.” He continued, “I did; but after school started she got her long hair cut and I didn’t want to hold her hand anymore.”
An 89 year old friend said when school started each year, “ I worried about getting all my books. I prayed they hadn’t changed the texts so I could use the ones my older sisters had. Then off I went happily in my sister’s hand me down dresses too.”
A friend who has taught Kindergarten for many years answered. “That’s easy. Crying children; I call September the crying month. Only a third of my kids have had pre-school experience. The parents are actually the biggest problem. If they would say goodbye and just leave!”
My friend, a retired teacher who taught mathematics to seventh and eighth graders for years said, “Now when I realize it’s time for school to start again I think, great. I don’t have to go.” And then he added, “Tennis anyone?”
Last, I asked a young neighbor. She’s the mother of four grade school children and her response was, “Hallelujah!”
Exciting times.
I must be from the dark ages too as I remember Big Chief notebooks too , I liked shopping for school supplies too and always wanted the big box of crayons with the sharpener .
I had one of those tablets too. My great grandson started kindergarten and I was excited for him but a little anxious wondering how he would like it. I remember getting my 7 ready for school. New clothes, supplies, and lots of excitement. I also wonder why school starts so early. Remember when it started the day after Labor Day.Now some of my children are teachers instead of students. Life goes on!
Seven! You should be writing the stories!