Life In The Mom Lane

Tuesday Was Back to School for Tewksbury Moms, Too

Life in the Mom Lane columnist Christine MacKenzie explains how she gets back into the routine of the new school year.

Well, here we are again. Another summer is winding down and another fall is almost underway. It's allmost time to replace trips to the beach with afternoons at the farm and switch from ice cream to apple cider for a treat. Most of all, in a mom’s world, the end of summertime means its time for the kids to go back to school. For some moms it’s the happiest time of the year and for others, like me, back to school is more of a bittersweet ending to my favorite season. I guess it all depends on just how you look at it. Love it or hate it, however, back to school means adjusting to a new schedule, a new routine and a lot of different responsibilities. As a mom you aren’t actually going back to school yourself but, frankly, it really does feel …

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Jennifer Lentini

3:41 pm on Thursday, August 30, 2012

Great article Christine! Had a good little chuckle too relating to some things. :)   more ›

Post Your 'First Day of School' Photos

Confess, you were out there like a paparazzi, snapping photos as your child went off to his or her first day of the new school year.

The first day of a new school year is like no other. Sure, parents are relieved to have the kids back in school and have some free time during the day. But with each 'first day' and each 'new grade' parents and grandparents have to admit that their little ones are growing much faster than they would care to admit. But each first day is also a milestone to be captured in photos and video for the family history. We're hoping that whether your child was headed to first grade or high school, you'll be willing to share your photos and video clips with your neighbors by posting them directly to this story. It's quick and easy. And students, feel free to share your own "First Day of School" pix and video clips, as well. Thanks!

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RunningGreen

6:58 am on Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Not trying to be rude, but why do you care?   more ›

Safety Tips for Back to School

Next week, summer will be over and your children will be going back to school. Here are some safety tips from school administrators and police safety officers.

(Editor's note: This article was originally published on Aug. 18, 2011.) Summer is almost over, and in less than two weeks, we will see familiar buses picking up and dropping kids off at school.  Jan Fuller, assistant principal of the Loella F. Dewing Elementary School wants to remind children and their parents to be safe when going to school. She outlined three areas of safety; bus stop safety, bullying and appropriate dress. BUS SAFETY Fuller said that parents should talk to their children about safe behavior at bus stops and when walking to and home from them. "Children need to be aware of traffic, and drivers will need to remember that kids will be at bus stops through the town," she explained. Officer Jennie Welch of the Police …

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Back to School Lessons From a Historic Event

Not all lessons children learn are taught inside the classroom.

Ok, I’ll admit it. I am likely the only mom in my town who didn’t realize that school begins next week. Yes, I knew that, traditionally, we always begin before Labor Day and yes, I knew that it wasn’t far away. But, even so, I was absolutely shocked when another mom at the football field this evening mentioned the first day of school. Like many of the kids in town I guess I was simply in denial. As crazy as it sounds I don’t look forward to “back to school.”  I said it last year and I will say it again this year. I love summer vacation. I enjoy the freedom, the chance to hang out with my son and, frankly, the lack of homework and the early morning race to the school bus. That’s not to say, however, that I don’t value education. I have …

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2012-13 Tewksbury Public Schools Bus Routes

School district releases bus routes for the upcoming school year.

The Tewksbury Public School District has released its bus routes for the upcoming school year. Each set of bus routes is attached to this article as a PDF file. Questions regarding these routes should be directed to Finance/Operations Manager David Libby at 978-640-7816.

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Bill Gilman

1:04 pm on Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Amy, if you look at the left hand side on the bottom of the PDF screen, there is a + button you can hit to increase the font size of the print. That should help.   more ›

Public Invited To See New High School -- Just Not Quite Yet

Superintendent Dr. John O'Connor wants to remind people that the new school is still off limits for the time being.

As Tewksbury gets ready for the start of the new school year, students, parents, staff and the public at-large are anxious to get a look at the new Tewksbury High School. However, Superintendent of Schools Dr. John O'Connor is asking the public to steer clear of the building for the time-being, while finishing touches are put on the $67 million complex. On Wednesday, O'Connor issued a press release, urging the public to stay away from the high school campus while final work is completed. The text of the press release read, as follows: "Everyone is excited and anxious to see the new Tewksbury Memorial High School. So much so, that there has been a constant flow of traffic into the driveway of the new school, and several people trying to …

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Bill Gilman

1:55 pm on Sunday, August 26, 2012

That is correct. Come one come all.   more ›

Are You Buying a Big-Ticket Item This Tax-Free Weekend?

Hey big spender. Do you have plans for throwing down wads of cash this weekend? Or are you giving your wallet a break?

Break out the credit card, Tewksbury: On Tuesday, Gov. Deval Patrick signed a bill that designates Aug. 11 and 12 as a sales tax holiday, meaning you won't have to pay the state's 6.25 percent sales tax. Of course, there are some conditions. The tax holiday doesn't include meals, tobacco or single items that cost $2500 or more. (So much for my big plan to buy a Bugatti Veyron made of charcuterie and Camel Lights.) The tax holiday is intended to send hordes of shoppers to stores, where they'll purchase lots of things and help boost revenues for local businesses. Some consumers wait for the tax holiday to buy big-ticket items they've been planning to get anyway. If you buy something that costs $2500, you'll save $156.25. So, are you planning…

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Staples Collecting School Supplies For Boys and Girls Club

Drive will continue at Tewksbury Staples through Sept. 15.

(Editor's note: The following information was supplied by Staples.) Staples for Students National School Supply Drive DoSomething.org and Staples have teamed up with teen actress and recording artist Bella Thorne, for the 5th annual Staples for Students national school supply drive, to help kids in need (www.staplesforstudents.org). The drive encourages local young people to collect school supplies and drop them off at their nearest Staples store now through September 15. All school supplies and donations will be given locally to the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Lowell to ensure they get into the hands of disadvantaged youth just in time for the new school year. The local Staples store for supply drop off is located at 10 Main St. “I’m …

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What Advice Would You Give Incoming High School Freshmen?

The new Tewksbury Memorial High is preparing to open and as its doors open, a new crop of freshmen will begin their high school careers.

As the calendar flips to August, thoughts strt to turn to the first day o the new school year. When the new Tewksbury Memorial High School opens for business, a brand new crop of freshmen will begin the wild, four-year (in most cases) journey that is high school. So we pose the question -- What advice would you offer to the incoming Class of 2016?

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