School Supply Aisle.........SIGH

[EvelynD2]

I took our car to Walmart to get the oil changed. They were really busy but I was fine as I had my laptop with me. I worked for a while and then decided to go and grab a few things I needed a.k.a wanted! There, in the front of the store were the school supply lists and school supplies. It brought back so many memories of 33 years of teaching. My last year of teaching was the 2019-2020 school year. I was teaching kindergarten in a Christian school and only had 8 students. I had moved in March and they gave me a few weeks off. After that COVID was in full swing and I was teaching remotely. I was then notified that parents were pulling their kids out due to COVID and I was laid off. I never got to say goodbye to my students. That was such a sad and hard time. There was no closure. Just one day my teaching career was ended for me. I reminisced over the school supplies and settled on four boxes of crayons to use for our Sunday School class.............Sigh

 

[Cherylndesigns]

Oh dear, I remember those days, too. It was so nice when all of the stores started posting the supply lists. Even The Dollat Tree does it now.

 

[EvelynD2]

Oh dear, I remember those days, too. It was so nice when all of the stores started posting the supply lists. Even The Dollat Tree does it now.

It makes it so much easier to shop with those lists printed up! It’s great that the Dollar Tree also does it. I love the Dollar Tree!

 

[joyfulheartdesigns]

Awww, that is so sad, Evelyn!! I am sorry that you never got to say goodbye to your kiddos...they probably equally missed you, as well!!! Have you thought about going back to teaching?

 

[pachimac]

Aww, so sad for you! I'm on that bus too. This year will be the first year in 18 years I will not have to buy any school supplies. My daughter is graduating next month. A mix of feelings - and feeling the passage of time keenly.

 

[vickyday]

I wish they would've had those lists when my kids were in school! So sorry you didn't get to tell your students goodbye!

 

[EvelynD2]

Awww, that is so sad, Evelyn!! I am sorry that you never got to say goodbye to your kiddos...they probably equally missed you, as well!!! Have you thought about going back to teaching?

Initially, I was going to teach preschool in my home. However, COVID seemed to hang on forever and with my asthma, I did not want to risk it. I then started working for our older daughter who has an Etsy shop. Then, I started watching our youngest granddaughter. She is now 13 months old. I have already bought the two year old curriculum and am planning on teaching her

 

[EvelynD2]

Aww, so sad for you! I'm on that bus too. This year will be the first year in 18 years I will not have to buy any school supplies. My daughter is graduating next month. A mix of feelings - and feeling the passage of time keenly.

Susie, I can sure understand how you feel. Time goes by so very quickly. They say that time is a thief. Kids grow up too fast.

 

[EvelynD2]

I wish they would've had those lists when my kids were in school! So sorry you didn't get to tell your students goodbye!

Exactly, Vicki! I don't remember lists with our older two kids but I do remember lists with our youngest daughter. I do remember how it was expensive to buy all the things on the list!

 

[VickiStegall]

It's always a little nostalgic every year when those lists pop up. Big, big hugs to you on the covid closure - such a weird and awful time in our world.

 

[EvelynD2]

It's always a little nostalgic every year when those lists pop up. Big, big hugs to you on the covid closure - such a weird and awful time in our world.

Thank you so much, Vicki! Yes, I guess school supplies bring back memories for all of us. For many of us, it reminds us of days gone by and for some it just means school is about to start. All of us are in different places in our journey of life. On the other hand, I for one am a sucker for a new box of crayons! That and plat-dough! I love the smell of new play-dough!

 

[Jam-on-toast]

COVID sucked in ways more than one... On a different note, I used to LOVE that back-to-school rush and going to school bazars was my favorite!

 

[EvelynD2]

COVID sucked in ways more than one... On a different note, I used to LOVE that back-to-school rush and going to school bazars was my favorite!

I love school bazaars! They were always so much fun! I need to ask my kids about bazaars at my grandchildren‘s schools!

 

[Kythe]

I remember as a teacher I would always buy a slew of supplies as I knew there would be students that didn't have anything due to family circumstances. I spent at least $100 every September and more during the holiday season for special art projects. I couldn't bear seeing some students not having anything while others had the latest and greatest of everything.

 

[EvelynD2]

I remember as a teacher I would always buy a slew of supplies as I knew there would be students that didn't have anything due to family circumstances. I spent at least $100 every September and more during the holiday season for special art projects. I couldn't bear seeing some students not having anything while others had the latest and greatest of everything.

You have a true teacher’s heart! Teachers spend so much on their students to help them have the best learning opportunities. I know you made a lasting impact on those kids and I know they loved you very much!

 

[faerywings]

It's so hard thinking about how quickly life was stopped back then. Caitlyn (DD) had an internship at a local Montessori school as an undergrad. One day they were open, the next day they were closed and that was that. She feels bad that she never got a chance to say goodbye to the kids, too.

 

[LSlycord]

Well this stirred many memories. It seems like some of the pain of Covid has lessened but sure is not forgotten. I am so sorry that was the way your career ended @EvelynD2.

So much has changed about school supplies over the year. When I was in elementary school, the only place that we could get the correct (fat) pencil was in the principal’s office for a nickel. By the time that I had kids, we had school supply lists at Target, per grade and also per teacher. Everyone had to be a little bit different. Then it got easier where you could buy a box through the school and it would be on your child’s desk at Meet the Teacher night. I really miss those days!

 

[EvelynD2]

It's so hard thinking about how quickly life was stopped back then. Caitlyn (DD) had an internship at a local Montessori school as an undergrad. One day they were open, the next day they were closed and that was that. She feels bad that she never got a chance to say goodbye to the kids, too.

Oh that is so sad, Chris! I know how heartbroken she must have been! I’m so sorry she had to go through that too.

 

[EvelynD2]

Well this stirred many memories. It seems like some of the pain of Covid has lessened but sure is not forgotten. I am so sorry that was the way your career ended @EvelynD2.

So much has changed about school supplies over the year. When I was in elementary school, the only place that we could get the correct (fat) pencil was in the principal’s office for a nickel. By the time that I had kids, we had school supply lists at Target, per grade and also per teacher. Everyone had to be a little bit different. Then it got easier where you could buy a box through the school and it would be on your child’s desk at Meet the Teacher night. I really miss those days!

I know, Linda! It’s crazy how things have changed and how expensive it is. I remember taking a bath towel to kindergarten to lay on for nap time! Now kids bring sleeping bags and pillows for on top of their nap mats!

 

[Amandajk]

I remember as a teacher I would always buy a slew of supplies as I knew there would be students that didn't have anything due to family circumstances. I spent at least $100 every September and more during the holiday season for special art projects. I couldn't bear seeing some students not having anything while others had the latest and greatest of everything.

I can identify with that too- helping students.
@EvelynD2 So sad that it went that way for you! But life has its tides I loved every school supply time every year from childhood to teaching...And of course ( ) the classroom needed things. I loved teaching!! I couldn't go back to Public school now, but I have considered private again. But that would be at the expense of developing my illustrations and fiber works So, even though I dream (at night) of being back in the classroom, I feel convicted that a different kind of teaching is in my future. Hope you enjoy teaching at home! I taught my kids to read at home, and we home-schooled for several years when we were between countries.

 

[EvelynD2]

I can identify with that too- helping students.
@EvelynD2 So sad that it went that way for you! But life has its tides I loved every school supply time every year from childhood to teaching...And of course ( ) the classroom needed things. I loved teaching!! I couldn't go back to Public school now, but I have considered private again. But that would be at the expense of developing my illustrations and fiber works So, even though I dream (at night) of being back in the classroom, I feel convicted that a different kind of teaching is in my future. Hope you enjoy teaching at home! I taught my kids to read at home, and we home-schooled for several years when we were between countries.

Thank you so much, Amanda! I do teach primary children's Sunday school and I teach Gopher Buddies Bible club for 3-5 year olds. I guess teacher's have to be teaching one way or another! I have also thought of volunteering at the school nearby when I no longer watch our youngest grandchild but that will be at least three-four years down the road. I know the draw you feel to be back in the classroom and hope that you can find a way to balance that and your illustrations and fiber works.