Back to school we go!

Hey, everybody!  Reader here.  It’s been a minute!  After a busy summer and a couple weeks of vacation, I’m back on the job, and ready to roll.

Not only that, but for students in Saskatchewan and those in university or college, today marked the first day of school!  For kids next door in Manitoba, its a staggered start, with students in the Park West School Division starting Wednesday, and those in the Mountain View School Division kicking things off on Thursday, while students start things off next Monday, so they get an extra few days of summer vacation!

.  It’s hard to believe that it was around this time back in 1982, that I marked my first day of school in my hometown of Conquest, and just as hard to fathom that this year marked 30 years since I graduated from Outlook High School!

But as another sure sign that I’m getting older, not only are all of my nieces and nephews back at school today, but my oldest niece, Sofie, had her first day of UNIVERSITY today!  I’m nervous, but excited for her, as she takes her first steps into the big world beyond the life she’s known growing up.  I have faith in her and all of the kids, that they’ll do awesome, and I’m excited for what the coming year will bring.  Along with Sof starting uni, our family has kids in grades 4, 7, 9, 10 and 12.  It’ll be another busy year, with my niece Abbie in Saskatoon kickingoff her senior year in Saskatoon.

As a kid, as much as I never wanted summertime and all the fun I had with my family and friends to end, I kind of always looked forward to getting back to school.

You’d get all those new school supplies and new clothes.  Often you’d have a new teacher (or teachers, once you got to high school).  All of the extra-curriciular activities ramped up again.  For me, I was in band every year from Grade 5 through 12, and I played a bunch of different sports over the years, from hockey and volleyball, to track, curling and basketball.  Then, multiply that by four, for me and my three younger brothers, and it made for a busy household!

As well, growing up, sometimes you’d have friends move away, or new friends move in, and you’d get to get into all kinds of fun (and/or mischief) with both your old and new friends.

Not to mention new subjects to study at school, and new academic challenges.  So much happening all at once!

From little ones starting preschool, to new Kindergarteners, to kids moving from elementary school to high school, and those kicking off their senior year, I hope everyone has a safe and wonderful 2025-26 school year.  New adventures await, and it’s another blank slate for you all to write another chapter in your stories!

It’s only fitting to finish off today’s blog with a little ditty, that I’m sure has been making the rounds today…