In the old days, in an educational system defined by a dearth of laptop computers and la carte offerings in the cafeteria, kids used paper grocery bags to cover their schoolbooks.

Students would cut, tape, fumble with the dimensions. Then, on that rough, butcher-style paper, teenage girls would scribble peace signs, “I love Mike” and “Mrs. Axl Rose.” An endearing rite of passage.

Well, forget it. Like Axl, it’s over.

Kids these days have stretchable cloth book covers. Like the kind Good-Buy Girl and Bag Lady found at Kmart 2-for-$1. It’s a freakin’ travesty.

Yes, they’re on sale, in fun colors, solids and designs. And, yes, we love sales. But if we hadn’t had a place to doodle, to play out those little schoolgirl fantasies, maybe today we’d be all tattooed up with “Guns N’ Roses” across our knuckles.

It’s these twisted times, it is. Who knew back-to-school shopping would be so nostalgic?

• Huge selection of back packs, Kmart, 30 percent off

Rugged, L.L.Bean-inspired bags, colorful super heroes and even Pebbles – cute, but are the Flintstones back?

• One-subject notebooks by Notebound and Liz Diller, Kmart, $2.49

Dots are hot. These notebooks are covered with pastel and bright pink, blue and purple dots, very fun. Or forgo style and get a plain-jane one-subject notebook at Wal-Mart for 10 cents. Consider this the first test before school even starts: One trendy pad or 24 not-so? Hmm. Truly a character-defining moment.

• Assorted folders, Wal-Mart, 88-cents and under

Hello, AC/DC? Rolling Stones? We’re clearly not the only ones feeling nostalgic. If you’re not down with your ’70s rockers, opt for Spider-Man or “I (Heart) Nerds” designs.

• Fun Ice, Wal-Mart, 94-cents

Reusable ice packs for lunch boxes in designs like soccer balls, princess crowns and lady bugs.

• Day One planner by Franklin Covey, Wal-Mart, $13.44

Thick, in a faux-leather cover (pink or blue, your pick). The inside is tabbed to make note of your regular schedule, phone numbers, etc., and also has headings for passwords, notes about family and friends and life goals. Very inspiring. Just don’t lose it, CATLVR12.

• Tongo Bongo pens, Kmart, $1.99

Oh, the notes you could write with these. Capped with a spray of extreme feathers and cushioned with a velour grip in pastel colors, it dares you to write as wild as it looks. Just don’t let teacher catch you.

• Quick Study academic outlines, Kmart, $4.95

Where were these when we were in school? Smart, four-page mini-encyclopedias chock full of facts about a chosen theme (biology, American history, anatomy, statistics). Laminated with binder holes already punched, these would have added another 1.5 points to Good-Buy Girl’s GPA.

• Barbie lunch bag by Thermos, Big Lots, $5

Insulated with two separate compartments and a closeable pouch on the outside. Plus a sport bottle and sandwich keeper inside. Designed in pink and purple argyle, Ken is just sick with jealousy.

Best find: Crayola 10-pack of classic markers, Wal-Mart, 88-cents

Simple, fully capable of staining carpet, a little slice of childhood, on the cheap. (Note: If you buy them, take a head count every night. These buggers love to go AWOL. Especially brown. It’s just in their nature.)

Think twice: Gibson coffee mug, Big Lots, 50-cents

The lettering says “Best Teacher in the World” but the presentation screams “Suck up.” Take a pass.

*Update*

Walgreens got back to us. Remember a few weeks ago we mentioned that they planned to build here sometime in the next year? A spokeswoman said in an e-mail response to a reporter here that a store in Windham is under construction, slated for a February 2007 opening, and that they are “pursuing several opportunities” in the “Main market.”

Indeed, they’re coming and indeed, she misspelled Maine. Oops.