Editor's Note
Back to School
By Jillian Melnyk, Editor
It's the most wonderful time of the year... they're going baaaack! You know just what I'm talking about – I'm sure you've seen the Staples commercial with the overly joyful dad tossing school supplies into his cart while his two children trudge behind him with glum faces. My own father always found enjoyment in that commercial, identifying with the TV dad, but what he didn't know was that as a kid I secretly enjoyed going back to school.
I couldn't let my parents in on this, of course, for fear they may say something like "Oh, if you like learning so much we've put together this elaborate summer study plan so you can feel just like you're in school for the next 3 months and not see sunshine at all!" So I kept my school-enthusiasm to myself and did what every other kid did and whine and moan about September's approach and lament about how wonderful life would be if they gave us just a few more weeks of vacation. But, the truth was, I liked going back to school – for a host of reasons. First off, it meant shopping. Not just for back-to-school clothes (though I did love that, of course, and my "first day of school" outfit always took hours, if not days, of laborious and strategic planning) but I loved shopping for school supplies, too. I've always had sort of a sick obsession with office and school supplies – I could spend hours in a Staples or Office Max just wandering through the aisles and picking up binders and pens in the same way that I imagine men loose themselves in a hardware store and walk away having purchased a new drill they totally don't need. With that said, I was delighted to learn of all the new "green" and eco-friendly school supplies now available and had a great time reviewing them for this month's "Green Family" department. As a little girl, I used to doodle "recycle" and "save the whales" on my binders and I know these green products would have been just up my alley and I'm sure your kids will love them too! I was also eager for the start of the school year because I like beginnings. I get an adrenaline rush from starting new projects, classes, clubs, and sports. As a kid, I was always active and participated in a wide range of activities, so September always meant the opportunity to dive into something new. This month we bring you our annual “After School & Weekend Activity & Program Guide” to help you pick out the perfect program to keep your youngsters occupied. You'll find everything from dance and drama to music, art, and sports. Boy, am I jealous! While this September marks the start of a new school year for your kids, it marks one for me as well. I'm going back to school – and no, not just for the opportunity to buy a new stapler. This fall, I am enrolling at Simmons College to receive my Masters in Fine Art in Creative Writing for Children – I want to write children's books. During my time at school I will stay on as GVP's full-time Editor and I know the experience of the program will arm me with even better resources and knowledge so I can continue to serve the parents of Rochester. Well, the summer's winding down and school is just around the corner. Best of luck in the new year! I wonder what I'll wear to my first day of class…
Jillian
This column appeared originally in the August 2009 issue of Genesee Valley Parent Magazine.