Signs of the Time

There are always signs that appear to warn teachers that summer is coming to an end. Some we look for are meet with anticipation, but others just cause us to sigh and try to adjust our summer sleep schedules to make sure we can get up early again.

Here are some signs to look for as a sure way to know that the new school year is coming...

• Parents you see in public places are looking really frazzled.
• Their kids look rested and full of energy and mischief.
• Stores stock massive amounts of pencils, paper, glue sticks, and markers. Massive and scary amounts.
• Those same stores place those massive stocks directly in the aisles so you cannot possibly miss them.
• Some stores, however, after placing the items directly in the aisles still place cute little "foot prints" and signs on the ground so you can follow them to the supplies.
• You still hear parents asking where the school supplies are.
• You pay your bills and notice you have lesson than you expected to have, and work sums in your head to see if you'll make it (you should, as long as you've planned well, but still...)
• You start getting more emails at your school email address, with "updates" from administration.
• You get a letter at home from your principal reminding you that they expect to see you bright and early on the first day of pre-planning. Don't forget to bring your winning attitudes and good ideas.
• You also start getting emails from the parents of your students from the previous year, asking you to "use your influence" to get their child placed on a good team. (I think to myself, what influence?)
• The school supply areas in stores begin to get mobbed, by large amounts of bickering children and parents, all trying to "just get what we need!"
• You notice that everything school-related is once again tax-free for a limited time.
• Every place, everywhere you go has "Back to School" specials, even when they have nothing to do with school. At all. Even at a stretch.
• Teachers start trying to get into their classroom so they can get ready (it's hard to do it in only 2 days allotted in pre-planning!). This is tricky, as administration doesn't want to spend their day opening the door for teachers. (I have found some hiding in strange places, hoping you can't find them.)
• You wake up in the morning, thinking of the perfect way to drive a point home on a lesson you taught last year, and wishing you had thought of it at the time.
• You know you will never remember that point when you're teaching the same concept again.

And all these signs tell me school is coming swiftly.

Yay?