Welcome back to a new school year! The first day of school is one of my favorite days of the year. Though I loved the first day as a teacher, and beginning to build the classroom community, as the principal I get a peek into every grade’s first day. Students are beginning to get to know their classrooms, the routines and the responsibilities that come with their grade. Soon the writing and drawing they are doing will fill their classroom walls. At lunch, second, third and fourth graders chatted with new classmates and connected with old friends. There are things that are familiar and so many opportunities for a fresh start, new learning and new experiences. 

Many of our younger students listen to the story, First Day Jitters on their first day of school. In this story (spoiler alert) it turns out that the person who is nervous about going to school is the new principal! She shared many of the worries that many of your children may have had these past few weeks. This year marks my twentieth working in schools and I will admit that though I can’t wait to come to school on the first day, I too still have jitters. Our teachers do a wonderful job of acknowledging the combination of feelings that we all may have when we start something new. We can feel both excited and nervous at the same time or even a little sad that summer is over. 

Though there is nothing like the energy of the first day of school, I also welcome the days that follow when students begin to settle into their classrooms and we all begin to find a rhythm. Students who showed hesitation at first are participating in discussions or playing with a new friend. There is more student autonomy and purpose. This is just the beginning and a great year of learning is ahead.