Ah, back-to-school time. That season of the year when store
shelves are brimming with shiny new pens, markers, notebooks, and lunch boxes,
and clothing racks are stuffed with fashions for going back to school.
Parents groan because of the expense of equipping the kids with
everything required for the new school year--but those shoes fit in May!
Kids groan because their summer is too short, and the reminders start in
July with back-to-school sales--can't they at least wait until August? Teachers
groan because their summer is too short--wait, I need more time off!
The rest of the
world--civilians as I used to call them--gives a sigh of relief that life will
finally settle into a familiar routine of the kids being off the streets, out
of the shopping centers, and in the schools for at least eight hours a day.
Sorry, teachers, I feel your pain. After all, I was one for 30
years myself.
That is the number one reason I'm happy that school is starting. . .
1. I'm retired! I don't have to worry about endless staff
development meetings when I would rather be in my classroom preparing for the
first day of school. I don't have to spend money buying extra school
supplies for the students in my classes who won't have them. I don't have
to wonder when I'll find the time to prepare my lessons, grade papers, schedule
meetings, call parents, and worry about ARDs, LEPs, IEPs, STARR, ADA, AEIS,
RTI, TEKS, TELPAS, STEM, BS, and CRAZY!
2. Fall is around the
corner. Sayonara, summer, with your 100-degree temperatures (I shouldn't
complain--we've only had one day of those so far this year!). . .bring on those
dead leaves, pumpkin spice lattes, boots, and sweaters!
3. I can go to the store during the day and
every aisle won’t be filled with parents and children getting in the way. . .IF I go before 3:00 p.m.
4. I won’t have to
compete for doctor and dental appointments with teachers and students. I’ll be able to get an appointment for
whenever I need it. . .maybe.
5. Those school facilities I pay enormous taxes on will again be in use. (How many times did I hear this when I was teaching? Ugh.)
6. Tax-free weekend happens
in August (at least here in Texas), and you don’t have to be a teacher or student to buy clothes or
supplies minus the sales tax. But it’s
crowded!
7. Back-to-school shopping means a sneak peak at
the new fall fashions.
8. After the back-to-school
season comes Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas, the good, better, and best
parts of the whole year.
Those are the reasons I am glad school is starting back up
again. I’ve always been happy to see
school start, ever since I was old enough to start getting new clothes and
school supplies. I guess I have teaching in my blood.
What about you? Is
back-to-school a good thing for you?
Labels: back to school, shopping, teachers