We’re excited about going back to school!
We’re not kids anymore but the Education team at South Carolina ETV gets excited about ‘going back to school’ all the same!
Professionally, we wrap up summer projects, kick into high gear, and look forward to increased engagement with educators. Personally, we like those B2S sales too!
Below are a few staff reflections on our favorite back to school traditions:
- Caitlin Woodard, Early Learning and Outreach Coordinator:
“My favorite B2S tradition is buying new school supplies! I always loved going to the store, picking out my notebooks, pens, pencils, etc, and checking things off the list!”
- Roni Henderson, Director of Education Productions:
“My favorite traditions are a fresh hairdo, fresh styling for the wardrobe, and a big end-of-summer fun activity.”
- Freda McCray, Program Assistant:
"As a parent, one thing that sticks out to me when my children were younger was the Staples commercial… The Most Wonderful Time of the Year…I would get so excited like the guy in the commercial. As a child, I was excited about getting new clothes and kicks, school supplies (labeling all our school supplies with our name), and not being able to sleep the night before because of the excitement of meeting my new teacher and classmates."
- Dr. LaKeshia Adams (aka “Dr. A.”), Instructional Technology Specialist:
“My favorite traditions are the carnival style back-to-school bashes with games, snacks, and fun.”
- Bette Jamison, Professional Development Consultant:
"I always loved how my children waited with excited expectation to find out who their teachers were for the new school year and learn which friends were in their class too! Back-to-school shopping was always hectic because it was then done in-person, no ordering online. But shopping for those needed-school supplies, a few new clothes and often a new backpack was fun! Last school year, my grandson was anxious about entering kindergarten at a new school, but that focus was re-directed when he worried more about the color of a folder his new teacher required … purple. He just did not want a purple folder! It all turned out well. He forgot about the less-desirable folder color and loved his new teacher!"
- Sherry O’Konek, Media Assets Coordinator:
“My favorite thing about back to school time was the newness of it all: classes newly decorated, kids new to the classroom – and to each other, optimism about the upcoming year, and finding out about what’s changed for kids in general over the summer."
As for me, Research and Special Projects Coordinator, when I was younger, going back to school was all about choosing my new lunchbox. (“For kids in the ’70s, the cartoon characters and pop stars on their metal lunch boxes were more important than the sliced apples and PB&Js inside. In fact, the coolness of your lunch box could determine your social status for the whole year.”) As a parent, I love the tradition of taking a photo of your child on the first day of school each year; unfortunately, in my case, I wasn't able to pull it off. In the rush to get the children out the door and all the excitement, I would often forget to snap the picture. Kudos to those of you who have the pictures each year!
We hope whatever the reason, you’re excited about back-to-school time too! See you in class!
