Now and Then

Sometimes I think about all that has changed in schools since I was a kid, not to mention working as a new teacher. Sometimes I cringe, and sometimes I chuckle, sometimes I write my buddies who read my blog. So, today is nostalgia day. Prop up your tootsies and walk down memory lane with me. See if any of my memories ring a bell.

These are a few things I remember:

Then:
Men and women teachers had a dress code. Women were to wear dresses, nylons and heels. Men were to wear suits with jackets and ties. When I first started teaching the dress code was lifted so women could wear pants. Apparently I caused quite a stir with the mommies for I wore jeans. They didn't realize I couldn't afford new clothes and used my old college wardrobe. Even so, I still can't figure out how men could afford to dress in a suit every day.
Now:
To be honest...is there a dress code? I remember one teacher at my school who looked better than Britany when Britany was in. Tight, low, ummm, I guess it all goes-apparently it isn't one of the state standards.

Then:
Friday, art days and Wednesday film days. Man, when I was a kid I LOVED those days. I was talking to a fellow teacher the other day about "film days" and she had no clue what I was talking about. Schools used to have movie projectors that were on carts that rolled from room to room. On the cart was a big canvas bag filled with movies that were on various topics from art to nature to...whatever. College students wanting to be teachers had to pass the audio/visual class on how to work the projector before you were allowed into student teaching. Personally, I only passed because there was a shift change in the instructors and I lied about knowing how to thread the projector (don't tell my school district.)
Now:
What film? What art?

Then:
The cafeteria food was-food. Throughout the morning you would smell cookies baking, grilled cheese sandwiches and other yummy things. In November you would get shredded turkey with gravy over mashed potatoes the day before Thanksgiving and as a kid I would beg my mom for the 35 cents to eat in the "cafe" that day. Milk would cost a nickel and there was no such thing as low fat.
Now:
It is frankly bizarre what is served to kids nowadays under the guise of food. This crud comes in cellophane wrappers that the cafeteria workers heat up. Whenever I see this stuff I always wonder if parents know what their kids are eating for lunch. If they did, I think the cafeteria (or "barfateria" as we call it in my room) would be out of business. What's funny, is if you ask kids what they would like to eat if they had the choice (I did) it is actually healthy-who knew?

Ahh, memories. Such fun on a lazy day. Maybe you have a few too-write and let me know! Enjoy.