This post is dedicated to Ellen Kander and Judy Lynch. Almost sixty years ago, we were little girls who excitedly waited for the school bus on many a first day of school.
Maybe it’s the inveterate student in me, but this Labor Day holiday always marks the beginning of the new year.
Forget about December 31. It’s September that inevitably heralds all new good things on my calendar.
I remember how thrilled I was when the new list of school supplies would turn up in the mail. This always signaled the end of summer and the promise of a new school year.
And that meant a trip to Woolworth’s to buy these magical (to me) items:
Pencils
Pens
Spiral Notebooks
Erasers
A ruler
Three ring binder
Lined notebook paper
A plastic pencil/pen carrier that fit into the three ring binder
There was something so wonderful about the idea of a clean slate.
(To this day, I love going to Office Depot. I get the exact same rush looking at staplers and calendars and paper clips that I did when I was a kid.)
The first day of school always earned a brand new outfit. Carefully-chosen to make the best impression on fellow classmates and teachers alike. In junior high, it was probably all about the jumper.
(Gosh, I loved those. I’d wear one now if I could find one.)
The first day also meant waiting in a state of high anticipation for the school bus. And over the years, Ellen, Judy and I had come up with our very own song to give voice to our feelings.
(Sung to the tune of “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow”)
“Today’s the first day of school, today’s the first day of school, today’s the first day of school. Hooray, hooray, hooray!”
Because we all had been at the same small school with basically the same eighty-three kids, the new year held very few surprises re personnel. Nevertheless, it was fun to see who was in our homerooms and who our new teachers would be.
That all changed in high school.
My class at New Trier had 1200 kids in it. The school itself had 4700. A new school year meant the beginning of anything and everything.
First of all, I don’t remember a bus. We had carpools now and parents were roped in to drive us.
(And later, boyfriends with cars carted me to school. Jimmy picked me up at 7:35 every school day for a year.)
But again, new clothes were a must. Villager was always a great preppy go-to.
The new school year at New Trier brought with it interesting new classmates and scary or fabulous new teachers.
And exciting football games on Saturday.
Time for everyone to break out one of these.
Homecoming meant crisp autumn air and decorating cars in the motorcade.
And then there were the long ago fall bonfires.
(Maybe that’s why the scent of burning leaves- now just a memory- instantly makes me think of happy things.)
So on this Labor Day holiday, I wish you all, Dear Readers, a safe and happy new year filled with love, laughter and the thrill of the possible in the upcoming school year.
(And the scent of burning leaves.)
Now watch this first day of class.
I’ve got to pick out a really neat outfit to wear tomorrow.
Shanah Tovah to you too, Ellen.
News flash: Students don’t use slates anymore, clean or otherwise. Maybe iPads, though. Plus, I don’t think that neither current high schoolers, nor those who graduated kindergarten nearly sixty years ago, represent the target demographic of Slate.
Ok. Very punny, Doc. I always wondered what teachers thought of the first day of school. I guess I’ll keep wondering.
Thanks for the Dedication !! I still sing that song in my head every Labor Day!!! The bus stop was at my house 1st-8th. But Judy & I weren’t lucky enough to get a ride in a fancy red car at new trier…we trudged around the corner in the dark (6.30 am) to catch a bus…
Thanks for the memories…. They were special days!!!
You do? Hooray, hooray, hooray! But where did the time go? Here’s wishing you an exciting and wonderful September, neighbor. I know it will be. Keep me posted.
Here’s my slightly different version of your back to school tune, which accompanies my slightly different version of my outlook on school. This is also sung to the tune “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow.”
Today’s the first day of school,
I really think it’s a bummer,
Teachers, homework and studying,
I much prefer summer
I much prefer summer,
I much prefer summer,
Today’s the first day of school,
I can’t wait to be back at camp
VERY nice, Cole Porter. I do believe that this is the first time that Letter From Elba has been graced with an original song. And I know you speak/sing for millions with its pithy POV. (My brother Kenny amongst them.) Thank you. And have you contacted ASCAP and Denny Rosen yet?
The royalties are already pouring in. I’ll share them with you the next time I’m in Chicago sharing shrimp de jonghe with you!
Deal! Thanks, pal. And regards to all your Cali clan.
Thanks for the memories, Ellen. My recollections are a little different, because the start of classes meant a return to daily, after-school basketball practice was nearly here; new clothes meant simply a new pair of Weejuns, new khakis and a couple of those Alan Paine wool, v-neck sweaters.
I would have chosen a couple of different film clips — Up The Down Staircase seems like the ultimate high school drama and my era could never get enough of Warren Beatty and Natalie Wood in “Splendor in the Grass”. The teachers at the Catholic high school in my home town just shuddered at the mention of that film!!
Glad this made you remember, Jack. (I was all about Weejuns, too, btw.) as fir the movies you chose, they’re good ones. “Splendor” is on my all-time favorite list. But it was just too sad for me to use in this happy post. Thanks, my friend.
First day of school meant no more Summer Lovin, as song by Sandy n Danny in Grease.
Too true, Mitch. “And oh, those summer nights. Tell me, more tell me more…” Love, Sandra Dee
Time for a new Chandler’s!!
You are so right, sir!
I liked school and was a pretty good student, but always felt sad on Labor Day that summer was over and that the “work year” was starting.
PS: Scenes in “Splendor in the Grass” were filmed at my school, Horace Mann in New York, but I never saw the film!
But you must! Such a moving film. Nice to bump into you last night. Small world. Thanks, David.
Thanks for the dedication! (I have to figure out how to make Letter from Elba arrive in my primary inbox instead of promotions so I see it right away.) As I started reading, our song started in my head. I have such great memories of those Avoca and Lawler Ave. days!
You’re welcome, Judy. (And yes, please get me out of there!) really funny that we all three still remember that song. Love to Clara, 810