I noticed it last week when I stepped into Walmart and headed down a main aisle: yet another school year being announced by the displaying of pencils and markers and backpacks. I honestly cannot believe that it is that time again. Where does the time go? I just don't know, but as each year comes and goes it seems that the startup of another back-to-school sale comes even faster. I can remember my parents saying that as you age, time seems to fly faster and faster. Well, I guess I have arrived at "that age" cause it sure does.
I don't think I understand the need to display items that are necessary for school because these very items are always found in the office section of any store. It's not like watermelons that are only out for a short period of time and then they aren't, or winter coats, or swimsuits - even though winter coats and swimsuits seem to appear before the actual time to use them and are then taken up prior to the season ending. This always creates angst in me because it is inevitable that I need something seasonal during the actual season, but whatever it is has already been picked up and stored for the next year. Anyway, pencils and scissors and markers are needed throughout the year. So why the big push for back-to-school sales?
Oh, I hear you saying, "But they are on sale and thus, cost much less for the parents that must buy tons of it to make it through the entire school year." Okay, maybe. But I would be willing to take on the quantitative study of actual costs of pencils and markers and backpacks because my inner self screams that prices are marked up and then down to indicate sales. However, if I were to go in October to purchase the same materials, would the costs be close to the amount spent in August? I don't know, but I always feel as if I am screwed when I shop in Walmart. Sorry, Bentonville-ites!
Nevertheless, as a child, it was the highlight of my entire year (excluding my birthday and Christmas) to buy new notebooks and such. It was as much a fashion statement what backpack and lunch box (nevermind that you never brought your lunch, and if you did, you wouldn't dare it the food found within) you purchased as it is now as to what cell phone you own. There was a lot of pressure to select the perfect accessory to complete that perfect junior high look. By the time you got to high school, you used old notebooks (because you never used the entire thing) and you didn't need a backpack cause it was embarrassing to lug home textbooks - and why would you do that anyway cause you weren't doing the homework.
Now, as a teacher, my actions as a student make me cringe! I was the student that caused teachers to pull their hair out from the roots! I am sorry, teachers. Please forgive me.
"Okay, I hear you calling me to the notebook aisle! I will be there in a minute!" I gotta go and fill my basket with stuff for school. Hey, wait a minute...I am the teacher now! Why am I buying this stuff? Yeah, I know...it is habit forming! Send me to an intervention...my name is Terri Hebert and I am a school-supply bargain shopper! "Hello, Terri!"
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2 comments:
Wonderful post on the school supplies Dr. Hebert! I have another issue with back to school. Why is it MY SON'S SIZE is the only size ever sold out of school uniform pants and shorts? I hear what you're saying, "Her son is in a different size every year - how can that be?" I KNOW! THAT'S WHAT I'M SAYING! Every year for the last 4 years I see them put uniforms out in July. Ridiculous! I refuse to buy school uniforms when we are still on vacation. However, this year was different. Two weeks ago I saw the uniforms out, I grabbed 6 pants in what I thought were still my son's size. Elation! I hurried home for him to try them on and...too small. Yesterday, I finally made it back to return them and all of the uniforms had disappeared from whence they were two weeks ago. "Please let them be in the boy's department," I thought to myself (prayed actually). -Insert angelic choir music here-, TA-DA! There they were, hundreds of them! I told Jon, "Look for 12 Regular, hurry, before someone else comes!" I found myself yelling at him and heard my heart pounding out of my chest. "I WILL HAVE ALL THE 12 REGULARS I CAN FIND!" I was hearing the voice of Squidward from Sponge Bob Square Pants. Quickly, I grabbed every 12 Regular pants and shorts I could find. "MWAAAHAHAHA, mine - all mine!" We got home and Jon tried them on. PERFECT fit with room to grow. Whomever patented the idea for those "stretchy-adjust-the waist-band-up-to-4-inches" things should receive the Nobel Peace Prize - seriously. As I was gleefully ripping the tags off, it suddenly occurred to me, NOW I KNOW why "my son's" size is gone every year. Some other parent - like me, FINALLY found the size THEY were looking for!
Great post Dr. Hebert and I am so with you on this, I could have written this blog. I do stock up each year when they have the back to school sale because it will cost more in October. I always get extra for my students that need pencils and pens and such. I also know what Sheree is saying is so true.
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