Beech Tree News Network

Many families are beginning to think about the next school year. As a former teacher, a mom, and a grandmother, most years of my life have included back-to-school activities. Each family’s back-to-school preparation may look different, but usually these activities are simple things. Even so, making good memories with children is an important part of their school success.

Wondering what others remember about returning to school, I asked friends and family: “What is a good memory you have about getting ready to go back to school? This memory may be about you or about someone else.” Their responses are listed below.

-I loved going back-to-school shopping! Getting new markers and crayons was my absolute favorite and organizing them was so fun for me. I still think about it when I go to Walmart around July/August.

-I was super pumped to return to college for my senior year. I was so ready to graduate.

-I took my daughter for kindergarten screening, and she told the ladies at the desk, “All I need is phonics.

I know all the rest.” This was a time when “Hooked on Phonics” was being advertised a lot on TV. Also, I remember when all kids’ clothes were bought at the Dollar Store and Sears. No one had designer jeans or shoes.

-We used to have a pizza night at my Mamaw’s with my cousins, and we would make homemade pizzas.

-As a student, it was a time to see my friends and to be part of something. As a teacher, it was similar.

Returning to school meant being with my coworkers. It was a feeling of purpose – to be there with students who needed stability which I felt I could provide just as my own teachers had provided stability for me.

-In grade school, getting to go shopping for clothes and new school supplies and looking forward to seeing my friends every day. I was always excited about the first day!

-I think my best memories were always taking my daughter shopping. She always got so excited about getting her new clothes and supplies.

-I loved anticipating elementary school. I always got new school clothes, and we got to go to the Ben Franklin store and get all those great school supplies...multicolored notebooks, big boxes of new crayons, and a zippered pencil case. I got excited to start school all the way through college, but no more pencil cases.

-As a child and being a girl, I always enjoyed the back-to-school shopping. I probably drove my mother crazy, but it was awesome getting new clothes and shoes, and new supplies. I remember not being able to fall asleep the night before from the excitement. I was also excited about seeing friends I hadn’t seen for a couple of months.

-Smelling new crayons and organizing school supplies, getting a couple of new outfits, and not being able to sleep the night before the first day are happy memories. As a mom, shopping for new clothes and watching fashion shows in the living room builds excitement in the whole house for back to school.

-My favorite memory is going back-to-school shopping with my mom every year. When we got home, I would lay all my new clothes out and then try them on and have a “fashion show” for my parents and my Granny.

-1978, WKU, Bowling Green, KY. I was driving a ’68 Mustang slowly onto campus with the windows down, getting ready to start back up in classes. I enjoyed seeing the people moving in crowds, hearing laughter and watching the smiles, and feeling the prospect of a future that looked bright and shiny on a summer day. I was in the spring of life’s seasons.

-My favorite memory of returning to school as an adult was thinking to myself, “Oh great, my husband can do the housework now!”

-I loved getting new school supplies every year and getting to write my name on all my folders and tablets. I also loved choosing a new outfit for the first day of school.

-On my first day of first grade, my mother could not take me to the bus, my father had to.

-Going with my grandmother to get back-to-school supplies and a new backpack for the year.

-I love shopping with my mom, for her (a teacher) and for me.

-Good memories of taking a day with my daughter to shop, eat out, and do nails and toenails, preparing for her return to school.

-I liked having new supplies and getting organized for school.

As a student and as a teacher, organizing before school began reduced the stress of a new school year. As a parent and grandparent, I wanted my children and grandchildren to feel ready for their new year. And I hope the 2023-2024 school year is a year of successful learning and of making good memories for all of our students.