Here it is, one week into August with loads of summer days still staring us in the face, and yet the “back to school” ads have been popping up for weeks. Every day brings advertisements for backpacks, tennis shoes in school colors, insulated lunch bags, computers, Master brand combination locks, and of course the usual paper and pencil supplies. Heck, when I was in school the only things we bought were a zippered pencil case, a couple of Duo-tang folders, a protractor, and maybe a belt or a strap to wrap around some books we carted home. These days, going back to school resembles preparing for an extended trip or cruise. And students with their 90 lb backpacks look more like hikers in the Alps. We are raising a generation of weight lifters.

Teachers and students are counting down the days until the first school bell will ring. Wonder who is most looking forward to that clang? The ever-present yellow buses are being readied for another cargo of rollicking, laughing children. Parents are gearing up for all the notes that will accompany their flock home during the first week. It’s a marvelous time of the year.

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