Back To School Time

This week almost every school district is headed back to class. Two of my nephews (I almost put both but there are three now) are going to public school for the first time this year. I’m sure and sure hope they will fit right in.

I never had to be the new kid on the block. I started kindergarten and finished the 12th grade in the same district with the same classmates.

I remember in kindergarten, I sat next to my friend, Stephen, I just thought it was okay to talk to him. The teacher told me you couldn’t just talk to someone you had to raise your hand first. I took her quite literally and put my hand in the air and continued talking to Stephen until she quickly said the rule only applied to a question I might have for her. Otherwise, I was told to keep my mouth shut.

Then there was the time in first grade, Mrs. Weldy’s class, when Stephen and I both brought Star Wars action figures into school. He had a Storm Trooper that was dirty and my parents had just bought me one (read: clean). He told the teacher it was his. We both got in trouble but I think I ended up getting mine back. Good best friend, huh? He still maintains I was wrong to this day.

I remember being sick a lot in second grade (read: I didn’t like school much, I wanted to stay home and watch TV) I had a great teacher, Mrs. Elzroth.

In third grade, the entire class got in trouble. We each got taken out in the hall and yelled at by Mrs. Glessner because no one would play with the new girl. Of course, we didn’t want to, she had cooties, first off. She also had a southern accent because she was from West Virginia and none of us could understand her. Kids can be so brutal.

In fourth grade, the teacher, Mrs. Renninger gave me passes to go to the restroom apparently because I always was going there. Hey, I had to pee, don’t blame me, it’s my bladder, teach! She did read us The Great Brain books right after lunch so we had that going for us.

In fifth grade, I actually got called to the principal’s office. Don’t worry, it wasn’t something I did wrong. I kept my nose clean. Apparently, one of my classmates brought their dad’s Playboy to school. That’s a no-no. We all knew who did it. Everybody who got called into the office, told Mr. Bowers the same thing, we pointed the kid out. We didn’t want paddled. He went in for his interrogation and got away with it. I’ll never forget how red his ears were when he walked into the classroom. Apparently, that’s what happened to him when he got nervous, his ears turned red. Liar! I wasn’t taking the heat, I tell ya!

In sixth grade, my teacher’s first name was Dorcus. Her reputation preceded her and so did her name. She scared me to death. She was by the books and she made you listen. She also had a fascination for the English language and was always teaching us words, many of them I still can’t spell. Try abecedarian.

I don’t know what grade I was in at the time but I have the distinction of killing the lunch profits one day in elementary school. I really WAS sick and puked all over the place. Think projectile vomiting at its best, complete with Froot Loops, (Sorry, Matt) orange juice and pizza from the night before. Yum!

The other fun story that I had from elementary school was the restroom. We had a large circular tub that allowed multiple kids to watch their hands at the same time. You’d step on the foot pedal and the water would come on, you’d step off and the water would go off. Some guy came in, apparently thinking he was at the Muni Stadium and pee’d in the sink. Ah, dude, that’s where we wash our hands, put that thing away. He was probably a pervert anyhow.

Here’s the last thing I’ll say from my walk down memory lane. My dad is a notorious jokester. If you have the time, he’s got the jokes. He would always say this to us on the first day.

Dad: How was your first day of classes?
Me: Apparently I didn’t do so good, they tell me I have to go back tomorrow.

It’s his joke not mine but it became a family tradition.

Ah, to be young again,

8 Replies to “Back To School Time”

  1. I’ll take nap time, drumsticks and kickball ANY DAY!

    Ironic, but I have a very fond memory of throwing up cereal. Mine was in first grade — I think it was Strawberry Shortcake cereal. You know, that same-tasting Ralston crap created into the cartoon of the moment.

    I think Gremlins and Nintendo each had their Ralston day as well. Ah, the 80s… lol

  2. Very fond memories of throwing up cereal? Mel, you’re warped. Now there’s a shocking reveal.

    I was the new kid in class a lot – we moved several times before winding up here in Cleveland in 1989.

    When we lived in New Mexico, it was the “new kid” against all of the other kids in their cowboy hats and boots, including the ringleader, who was the son of my fourth grade teacher, and in her class, with me.

    As you can guess, things went their way, pretty much all of the time.

    One particular day, I got really frustrated, and shot the finger at one of them, who moved slightly, so that another girl in the class thought that I was flipping her off.

    Next thing I know, I’m in the principal’s office – wooden paddle.

    Awesome!

    I laugh about it now, and have lots of good memories from growing up. It’s fun being a kid.

    My dad was (and still is) the jokester as well. Those memories are priceless!

  3. In kindergarten, I stopped the entire class and made them look for my aunt’s brooch that had fallen off my shirt. We found it and I remember both teachers asking me not to wear jewelry like that school again.

    Didn’t listen – I rocked oversize earrings and bracelets even with my catholic uniform until the 5th grade. No, I didn’t get kicked out but I transferred to public school.

  4. In kindergarden I told my mother I was not feeling well, she told me to just drink my orange juice and go to school. I continued to not feel well while ridding the bus to school that day and when we hit a bump I puked all over the seat next to me, luckily no one was sitting next to me. I remember kids saying eeww and screaming and the puke running down the isle of the bus.

    Since Ralston makes dogfood too it is not wonder their cerals were not any good.

    José

  5. I was in the same school district K-12 and always envied the new kids b/c they had the opportunity to start over again.

    Also, I think moving around while you’re young is invaluable prepareration for social adaptation — such a crucial skill on both a professional and extracurricular level*

    -Kelly

  6. Yes, all this is true! I so remember when you did that! I was sitting at the table right behind you! Its fun to remember all these things! I remember all my teachers, too! I am so glad you can laugh about these things! Too funny..love ya! LOL!

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