Signs that a New School Year has Started

Another school year is off and running as we just completed our first full week.

Now I love the beginning of a new school year and start getting excited right after the 4th of July.  I love the energy that the kids carry with them on that first day as it brings the building back to life.  No matter how many "first" days I've been through (and it's getting to be quite a few now) I'll never get tired of them.

Here are some obvious and some not so obvious signs that school is back in session:

1) New shoes - not the kids but me....I've gotten my one new pair of school shoes...some things haven't changed since I started school in 1965.  Except I'm not wearing high top Keds anymore.(mainly because they're to expensive.)

2) Football - as a former player, coach and official, I still get excited when I see the equipment and hear the popping of pads. (yes the pads do pop, something you have to experience to appreciate)

3)  Volleyball - well I never played and never coached so yeah....not so much of a sign to me.

4) State Reports - Certified Enrollment, Driver Authorizations, Title I grant, Title IIA grant, Graduation Verification, Transportation, CSIP, APR, AYP, Drop-out Prevention, Fall Beds, Project Easier, Supplemental Weighting.....you get the idea.

5) Tears - When pre-school starts we always have a few tears shed....and once in a while the kids cry as well.

6) The smell!!  Nothing smells like junior high kids and I do mean smell.  I've worked in three different states and believe me junior high kids smell the same in any state...and that smell isn't good!!

I do love summer, but not as much as I do the start of a new school year.....eventually, the excitement will ebb and we will all need to settle into a routine if we're going to make it through another 34 weeks of school..but for now I'll walk the halls and enjoy the sights, sounds and even the smells of a new school year.