pilot

From STATIONARY to STATIONERY…. School Year 2018-19 Begins

by Cate Murway

"You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose.”

Dr. Theodor Seuss "Ted" Geisel [1904-1991], best-selling children's author in the world.

Feeling recharged? Another summer has gone by way too fast. Move over, summer…. all good things must come to an end, like beach trips, pool parties, and all day Netflix binge watching.

“Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened.”

With the start of the new school year, families face new challenges like moving from STATIONARY [sometimes being quite motionless] to STATIONERY [papers and books and folders and posters and pencils and lots of it!] Nothing puts you back into school mode more than shopping for school supplies.

FYI- the best “supply” for heading back to school is right inside your head!

“Step with care and great tact, and remember that life’s a great balancing act.”

An 'A+' for experienced optimism as the new school year begins with sweeping positive changes…..

Educators are born to make a difference.

There actually ARE schools that help kids identify their strengths by exploring their talents; cutting edge schools that are NOT cutting corners.

“I think we are as ready as we can be...each year brings new students, teachers, content, and surprises...so as ready as we can be.”

VJM Principal, Lauren Carr

“Ready! There is no better job than teaching. Where else can you enjoy a fresh start each year? Where else can you make a difference in the lives of so many young people? The profession is an art, and it takes refining. Teachers spend their summers first rejuvenating then planning new and improved lessons for the upcoming school year. Surprise…teachers get nervous for September, too! This will be my 14th year teaching, and I still have difficulty sleeping the night before the first day. I want to be the best that I can be for my students.

I want them to feel comfortable in my classroom. I want them to be inspired by the lessons. And I want to make connections with them.” Christine Moran, Doylestown, PA

Confidently beginning with a fresh SLATE…. OR SMART Board/ SMART kapp iQ…..

Who we were yesterday does not have to dictate who we will be today or tomorrow.

“I love the fresh start of a new school year. My goal for this year is to give my very best to my students while at the same time showing that same love and respect to myself.

Balance has not always been my strong point, but after feeling what the gym has done for me over the last two months, I will definitely find a way.” Leighann Pezza, Bristol Borough, PA

It’s difficult sometimes, but share along with your little one’s enthusiasm. Children have a curiosity-driven passion for discovering, questioning, exploring, imagining, and creating.

“You’re off to great places! Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting, So get on your way!”

“We are ready to get back in to a routine but a part of me isn’t ready for my baby to start kindergarten!”

Lauren Chaykin Moehring, Silver Spring, MD

Parents are preparing….

“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not.”

“I'm both ready and not ready at the same time. I'm ready for the routine and structure that the new school year brings to my day- to- day life but I will definitely miss those lazy, unplanned days spent with my children where we don't have a schedule and see where the day takes us.

I'll never take them for granted because the days are long but the years are short.” Mary Beth Walinskas, Newtown, PA

Some enjoy “suiting up” in aisles loaded with the color-coordinated, cheerful school supplies scene of intricate patterns and shapes, while others don’t quite celebrate that excitement.

“My goodness how the time has flewn. How did it get so late so soon?”

“Didn't you see the commercial? Click click done!” Chris Strack, Burlington, NJ

“Once again I will be saving on books and tuition by playing hookie.” Bill Slack, retired in Hudson, FL

“Just tell yourself, Duckie, you’re really quite lucky!”

The college back to school invasion is an end-of-summer rite. The students are back to their dorms or apartments where they can eat, sleep, and do what they want, when they want… or NOT!

Many stay motivated and keep up their exercise to maintain their ROAD scholar status.

New term….. New you!

“You’ll be on your way up! You’ll be seeing great sights! You’ll join the high fliers who soar to high heights.”

“After interning through the Human Resources department of a company in West Chester, PA, I am excited to apply my knowledge in the classroom. As this is my third year of college, getting back to Gettysburg and on campus makes me excited to engage in conversation with new and old students and professors!

Additionally, the running routes, despite the current heat, are perfect during the fall season.”

Holly M. O’Malley, VJM ‘16/ Gettysburg College

The students are coming! The students are coming!

Juniors embarking on the school year may feel a plethora of emotions coming back to class. With newly found self-confidence, no longer the directionless freshmen, they will now need to balance after-school sports, college apps, a social life, and, oh yeah, seven classes’ worth of homework.

Having the chance for a fresh start is exciting to anyone, especially when it's an academic fresh start.

But remember….Joy is important! One CAN master the goals in their curriculum.

“If things start happening, don’t worry, don’t stew, just go right along and you’ll start happening too.”

“I’m excited and nervous for all the things junior year has to bring. I’m ready for the college visits and the essays that will be written and all the fun memories that will be made this year. I can’t wait to connect more with the girls I go to school with as we explore the next step in our lives together, and bond more as a class.

Sports are a really big part of life for junior year, so I’m going to give my all and be the best student-athlete I can be.”

Jordan Elizabeth Benner, VJM ’20, Feasterville, PA

“I'm excited for fall and the school dances and getting to see my friends and I'm also excited for track soon and I guess you could say I'm slightly ready to go back to school.”

Avamarie Backich, VJM ’20, Southampton, PA

No sophomore slump for the dedicated. No need for fear…. It’s the second year.

Live more. Laugh more. SophoMORE!

“You’ll miss the best things if you keep your eyes shut.”

“Although the summer break is much appreciated, going back to school ensures many new and different experiences.

Each fall season, I value the opportunity to further my education and improve upon my character.”

Karly Rees, OAHS ’21, Oxford, PA

Attitude is everything!

Ready or not….. September is here.

First: take a positive inventory of your strengths, skills and best traits so that these reasons to be optimistic can be reignited in times of need.

“Today you are you! That is truer than true! There is no one alive who is you-er than you!”

Employ some of these kick start ways that can make a powerful difference in preparing for success and joy in the transitioning back to school:

“Sometimes the questions are complicated and the answers are simple.”

Get yourself ready. Prepare for success in advance. No need to get intimidated by the size of the tasks.

Start packing your healthy lunch the day or night BEFORE.

“Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment, until it becomes a memory.”

Put a little [your choice of color!] box off to the side of your room and place some of the items in it that you will need for the next day.

Don’t scale back the ZZZ’s.

Improve your sleep hygiene. [It’s impossible to ignore the health benefits of a getting a full 8.] Adequate rest reduces stress and boosts confidence.

“How did it get so late so soon? It's night before it's afternoon.”

AND start setting an alarm in the morning. School schedules are set by the clock…. not body rhythms.

EAT BREAKFAST! E.V.E.R.Y day!

“Would you eat them in a box?” Well then, perhaps just a bagel with peanut butter.

“I do not like green eggs and ham. I do not like them.”

Design your space.

Purchase a stylish planner.

Somehow, that reminder to study for biology becomes much less threatening inside a pretty patterned agenda book. Then GET AT IT.

P.S. Nothing beats an inviting fresh working space to renew your sense of promise and potential.

“Why fit in when you were born to stand out?”

Connect and create unity around you. Embrace those who enjoy your company and will inspire you to ‘level up’ daily. Find a study buddy to help you stay passionate about your classes!

Friends are not just for social life.

“If you never did you should. These things are fun, and fun is good.”

Nix the stress.

Make use of calming breathing, stress-busting visualizations and optimistic thoughts as coping strategies. Get outside your comfort zone. Stay motivated by the desire to achieve.

“And will you succeed? Yes you will indeed! (98 and 3/4 percent guaranteed.)”

And….. for the best tip ever….

Practice gratitude and kindness and smile with your heart. These traits work EVERYWHERE!

“Kid, you’ll move mountains…..”

It always seems impossible until it’s done.

Recommend a “Spotlight”. E-mail vjmrun@yahoo.com