Back to School: Are you ready?

Not only are we awakening to a new day but to a new year! Okay, okay, okay, I know it is not Happy New Year 2015. We still have a few months left in 2014. However, it IS the beginning of a new school year and for many counties, school is already in session while in others the doors do not open until after Labor Day. In either case, preparations are in order with still lots to be done.

It seems like just yesterday we were getting ready for summer vacation. Now, summer is rapidly drawing to a close with hints of autumn already in the air...somewhere anyway. Still sweltering temperatures continue to rise throughout many states whose residents wait patiently (hopefully patience is part of the picture) for cooler temps.

Whether parent, student, bus driver, teacher or administrator, the question for all is "Are you ready?"

Different schools, different states, different dates share one thing in common for sure: There is much to do getting ready for school. Supplies need to be purchased, schedules received and mentally recorded, uniforms or appropriate school attire sought and bought. All parties concerned have major roles in the preparation process.

Has it always been so hectic at the beginning of a school year? With time comes change, with change comes progress, with progress comes innovation! Follow the path of Awakenings - embrace the past, empower the present, enrich the future.

Embrace the Past. . .

Looking back upon times past
The quill pen or stylus ruled
A one-roomed schoolhouse
Was simply readied and tooled

Days before the blackboard
Resources were slim for sure
The daily teaching tool
Sticks scratching on a dirt floor

Practice of sums and spelling
Topics up to date
 Used no paper nor carbon pencils
Only slabs of slate

 Staying focused on studies
 Discipline was strict
 Keeping students in line
To the tune of the 'hickory stick' 

Empower the Present. . .

Pencils, erasers, composition books
Paper, pens, and drawing tools
Backpack, markers, folders, calculator

Lunch menus, lists, and new rules 

Gadgetry, gizmos, and gear
'Techie' tips at every turn
Edmodo, Grockit, EduBlogs
Time on the Web all students yearn 

Interactive whiteboards

Promethean becomes the rage
Combining pen and multi-touch
Students inspiringly engage

iPad's iBooks
iThis and iThat
Fascinating
Easy to work at 

Enrich the Future. . .

Enrich the children
Enrich the nation
Enrich your life
Through education

  Here's to the teachers

Who give their all
Teaching, training, tutoring

Whatever the call

 Planning and assessing
Each day's a rerun
From sunup beyond sundown
There's work to be done

Regardless of long days
All the while
One thing's never forgotten

Smile, smile, smile!

© Sharla Lee Shults

Ever thought about giving a teacher a back-to-school kit?
It's the simple things that are often forgotten!

 Reach out today, 
Be a caring friend. 
Know a teacher? 
Lend a helping hand!