Beech Tree News Network

Although it’s July, many have started making back-to-school plans. Being a grandmother, I have mixed emotions. School is certainly essential; but, I will miss the scheduling freedom my grandchildren have enjoyed for two months.

Back-to-school has become a part of our nation’s calendar. Many have expressed their thoughts related to returning to school. A few are listed below:
•    Like many parents after a long family holiday, I usually welcome the moment when my kids head back to school. –Jose Andres  (http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/back_to_school.html)
•    So awkward going back to school and saying hi to everyone you avoided for 3 months.... –Unknown  (http://www.searchquotes.com/search/Funny_Going_Back_To_School/)
•    The difference between school and life? In school, you’re taught a lesson and then given a test. In life, you’re given a test that teaches you a lesson. –Tom Bodett  (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/28/backtoschool-quotes_n_3831072.html)
•    Home computers are being called upon to perform many new functions, including the consumption of homework formerly eaten by the dog. –Doug Larson  (http://www.verybestquotes.com/50-back-to-school-quotes/)
•    As long as there are tests, there will be prayer in schools. –Unknown  (http://www.verybestquotes.com/50-back-to-school-quotes/)
•    If a doctor, lawyer, or dentist had 40 people in his office at one time, all of whom had different needs, and some of whom didn’t want to be there and were causing trouble, and the doctor, lawyer, or dentist, without assistance, had to treat them all with professional excellence for nine months, then he might have some conception of the classroom teacher’s job. –Donald D. Quinn  (http://www.verybestquotes.com/50-back-to-school-quotes/)

I asked friends and family what they remembered about going back to school that excited them. Their replies were:
•    The potential of what could be learned. I didn’t have a lot of friends, but I have always loved learning new things. New clothes were a nice bonus as well.
•    Meeting my teachers and seeing my friends.
•    New clothes, new shoes, new backpack, seeing friends.
•    I loved getting new outfits and school supplies. I also looked forward to meeting my new teachers.
•    Never really was excited. School is school.
•    New school supplies and a new backpack and outfit.
•    I got excited about new school stuff: notebooks, book satchel.
•    Seeing my friends and my new classes (well, some of them). It was sad, too, since summer was over. I loved summer break. I wish I had it at work now.
•    New information and perceptions/perspectives.
•    Seeing friends again mostly. Getting all those new school clothes – we thought we were cool! Smelling those copies they made. Remember the blue ink? Eating the whatburgers in the lunchroom.
•    Buying school supplies like pencils, folders, and pens! It was by far my favorite part. I loved to plan for my new year.
•    Seeing friends was always exciting to me!
•    Can’t say I remember excitement at all, but I usually got a pair of new shoes.
•    I always looked forward to starting the soccer season, seeing my friends and meeting my teachers.
•    New school supplies (especially brand new, sharp crayons!) and new clothes for the first week. I loved laying it all out and organizing it, looking forward to the first day.
•    I always enjoyed choosing new school supplies and finding the perfect outfit to wear on the first day.
•    New clothes, shoes, and school supplies. I still love the smell of new crayons.

Someone said, “Don't limit a child to your own learning, for he was born in another time” (Rabindranath Tagore; http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/topics/topic_education.html). We generally dream big for our children and grandchildren.  As the 2016-2017 school year begins, I pray it’s the best school year ever.