It’s official.

While listening to the car radio (yikes) the other day, I thought I misheard the ad announcer’s words. Here’s what I thought she said: “It’s back-to-school season and ...” I don’t recall what came after that.

Back-to-school is now a stand-alone season? Who knew? Apparently, everyone but me; yet, the signs of the season, official or not, are everywhere.

While shopping for a recycling bin in a big box store recently, I came across a display of lists of items needed in the upcoming academic year by students in local elementary schools installed near a bin of colorful pool noodles and other swimming accessories.

Another department store displayed a colorful array of student backpacks at the entrance doors.

JetPens.com, a favorite stationery website of mine, started a series of videos on back-to-school supplies last month.

A vintage television commercial - which used to air around Labor Day, featuring two kids in T-shirts, shorts and sneakers, looking dejected, shopping with their parents who joyously danced to the chorus of the holiday favorite “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” while filling a shopping cart with school supplies - has been on repeat in my brain.

Local universities are gearing up to welcome students with meet and greets. Local community college brochures of course offerings have arrived by regular mail.

In recent editions of Salisbury Press, columnists noted school starts for students in the district Aug. 29, with a special orientation day for kindergarten and fifth- and ninth-grade students Aug. 28.

Marching band camps will soon begin, and student athletes for fall sports are readying to take the field.

Back-to-school season is officially going strong, it would seem. Perhaps I was distracted by those lazy-hazy-crazy days of summer.

April Peterson

editorial assistant

East Penn Press

Salisbury Press