On Going Back to School

I imagine that there is a wide range of emotions among us concerning back-to-school time. Thankfulness for a return to schedule and routine; sadness over the ending of long days at poolside; excitement about a fresh start; uncertainty about new teachers and classes; enthusiasm over new school supplies; dread over upcoming projects, reports, and homework. The list is long and varies from child to child, parent to parent. No matter how we feel about it, though, the school year is upon us, so I decided to ask some of our readers’ kids what they are excited about and anticipating this year. Here’s what they had to say.

“I’m happy for it!”–Mae, 3rd grade

“I’m looking forward to seeing my new teacher.”–Caroline, Kindergarten

“In second grade there’s a time during the week or month (I can’t remember which) when you get to kick up your feet on your desk and read. It’s called kick up and read day.”–Marshall, 2nd grade

“Making new friends.”–Quinn, 2nd grade

“I’m looking forward to drama club and STEM and getting ready for middle school! I also love to do Mississippi Young Singers.”–Rachel Claire, 5th grade

“Being able to participate in school sports and more extracurricular activities.”–Massion, 7th grade

“New school supplies; no Spanish this year.”–Kaylee, 9th grade

“Dancing in the hall!”–Olivia, 2nd grade (She says that at Madison Station Elementary, the 2nd graders–and only the 2nd graders–get to dance in the hall every morning.)

“All of the projects I get to do!”–Surya, Kindergarten

“Going to school for all my extracurricular activities. Being a Ridgeland Titan is being part of a big family.”–Becca, 10th grade

“I’m excited about getting to take my MacBook Air home this year. I’m also excited to see my friends.”–Ellie, 6th grade

“Completing my last year as an elementary kid, and participating in STEM.”–Hunter, 5th grade

“Cheer and softball and, I guess, biology!”–Faith, 9th grade

“Seeing all my friends again, getting to meet my new teachers, and playing sports!”–Kate, 5th grade

“I am looking forward to band because I will get a bass clarinet this year. I am also excited about our new band director.”–Madeleine, 8th grade

“The New York trip for choir!”–Emma, 11th grade

“Seeing who my new teachers are!”–Charity, 8th grade

“Learning new songs and coloring.”–Tyler, Kindergarten

“Journalism!”–Kaylee, 9th grade

“I’m looking forward to not being a little kid anymore, like the kindergarteners and the 1st and 2nd graders, cause you know the 3rd graders are big kids.”–Kason, 3rd grade

“I can’t wait to go back to school because I want to see my 4th grade teacher again. She changed my life!”–Ethan, 5th grade

These enthusiastic testimonies should help us all get back to school with good attitudes. Thanks, kids! I hope you all have a fantastic year!