Today school started in our neighborhood.
I was a teacher for more than 37 years. The start of school was a very significant part of the year. I would start going into the school about mid August to get things ready in my classroom. I had to make sure that I had all the supplies I needed so that I didn't have to run around looking for things. Textbooks had to be brought in.
Then there were unit plans that had to be fine tuned. It all took time.
Of course, other colleagues were there so some visiting took place.
When I was department head there was more work. I was responsible for planning so that everybody was on the same page.
What I really wanted to say is that since I've been retired for 25 years I no longer think about the start of school . That is, until I read in the paper about our teachers participating in a back to school welcome.
So the school system is back in business for another year.
Things are much different compared to when I retired.
So school bells are ringing but they don't get my adrenalin flowing. When I went to school a hand bell was used to time the periods. The first year I taught, 1958-59 I used a hand bell. The school didn't have electricity. After that it was buzzers that kept us organized.
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I don't have kids, so the first day of school hasn't been something to cross my mind.
ReplyDeleteAt this age it feels like I don't have kids either.
DeleteGosh Mr. Red, you don't seem old enough to have first taught with no electricity. Must have been a pretty rural area. Thanks for helping lots of kids start out in life. Linda in Kansas
ReplyDeleteIt was a rural area one room school. However, very few of the country schools had electricity and most of them were closed shortly after that.
DeleteSchool starts after Labor Day here:)
ReplyDeleteStarting time varies a bit here.
DeleteMy elementary school had handbells that called us in from recess. It was such an honor to be chose to run inside the school and ring the bell out of the window. The one before that had a teacher who stood outside watching us. She would call to us, clapping her hands for us all to return to our classrooms.
ReplyDeleteThe bell ringing honor was effective. Kids took pride in the responsibility.
DeleteMy frist elementary school had a teacher standing on the playground who called to us and clapped her hands when it was time for us to go back inside. At the second school I attended, a hand bell like yours was used to call us in. If you were lucky, you got picked to run inside and ring the bell out of the window.
ReplyDeleteIt was the first day of school here as well.
Our schools started back on Monday. I like that school bell.
ReplyDeleteHappy September! Take care, have a great day!
there's a wide variation in school opening dates.
DeleteI've always liked this time of year. I looked forward to school starting when I was a kid and I looked forward to my kids starting school.
ReplyDeleteI can't imagine being retired for 25 years! Your working life must seem like it was a long time ago. My mom used to use a hand bell like that to call us home for dinner when we were out running around the neighborhood.
ReplyDeleteMy Dad came across an old train bell. That's how we were called. Sometimes we were far away.
DeleteI still have back-to-school dreams that are more like nightmares in the sense that I never know where I am going or whom or what I am teaching. These dreams drive me crazy and seem to happen a few times per year but not necessarily around real back-to-school time.
ReplyDeleteThese are called teacher dreams. I don't have them anymore!
DeleteI remember the first day of school with fondness, most years anyway. I love your reminiscenses, Red.
ReplyDeleteEven my middle school kids were excited to be back to school.
DeleteWow, you started teaching when I was in first grade. I would have loved if you were my teacher back then. Ah the bells of school, I had forgotten.
ReplyDeleteNice story dear Red.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was in hand bells were used to announce the new period.
One of the best part of my memories belong to school days
The sound of the bell is something I won't forget.
DeleteI have been retired a bit longer than you Red- but like you I always remember the start of another school year,
ReplyDeleteTime flies during retirement.
DeleteI am still aware of the start of another school year Red and I have been retired a bit longer than you.
ReplyDeleteGoing back to the classroom as a teacher was much the same for me. We did have electricity though. :-)
ReplyDeleteMy granddaughter started her senior year of high school today.
It was only my first year without electricity.
DeleteI have lots of dreams about doing badly teaching when I am stressed. I haven't taught since 2006!
ReplyDeleteI love this time of year. The kids are all getting excited. The tourists leave town!
You have typical teacher dreams. I don't have teacher dreams anymore.
DeleteThe first week of university I took students away on a week-long field course, for 35 years. Left our own kids with my wife for the first week of school!
ReplyDeleteI'll bet your students remember that field course.
DeleteHow I wish I had taught with a hand bell.
ReplyDeleteAnd at that time one of the tricks was for the kids to take the gong out of the bell!!!
DeleteWe live one block over from our elementary school. I love the sound of the kids walking to school, all excited, all ready for their friends and teachers and (hopefully) eager to learn
ReplyDeleteI'm also on a school route. The sad part is that very few kids walk to school.
DeleteThe start of September was always rather stressful for teachers and schoolchildren alike. I am glad that I am no longer on that conveyor belt.
ReplyDeleteWithout children or being a working teacher it the beginning of school is usually far from my mind. I just know it usually starts after Labour Day in BC and I've just confirmed school begins Tuesday next week in Vancouver. I imagine all the parents and teachers are running here and there to get ready.
ReplyDeleteI’ve been retired 8 years and I still have that better-get-busy feeling about the middle of August and a twinge of nostalgia the first day the school busses prowl the neighborhood in September.
ReplyDeleteGood memories! Our school started on August 22nd in our county.
ReplyDelete37 years for you, 20 for me. I always mark the first day of school on my calendar. That’s the day I say a little prayer for all my colleagues who are still working. 😊
ReplyDeleteSchool has already started in Hawaii too. We didn't start school usually until after Labor Day in Illinois. I also went into school early in August, probably 2nd to 3rd week. Most teachers went in early to plan and do all the things you mentioned... get our class lists... create our bulletin boards, etc. It was such an exciting time. I just taught for 20 years too (like John's Island) because I stayed home until my kids were more independent. You've made me feel very nostalgic. Like you, I loved teaching. I know I would have enjoyed working for you.
ReplyDelete