After enjoying a long Labor Day holiday weekend, local residents headed back to work on Tuesday, and their children headed back to school. Bleary-eyed high school students got up at dawn to make it to school by 7:20 a.m. and parents waited with children at bus stops throughout McLean and Great Falls.
Christie Taylor, the new assistant principal at McLean High School, said she thought the morning was a breeze.
“Actually, things went really smoothly,†said Taylor. “The kids did well and it was cool to see the seniors come in with their camouflage on. We had to show a few freshman to their lockers, but that was about it.â€
At Spring Hill Elementary School in McLean, students were already seated quietly and forming perfectly straight lines in the hallway by 9:15 a.m.
“It’s been great,†said Spring Hill principal Roger Vanderhye.
At Forestville Elementary School in Great Falls, students were greeted at the Kiss and Ride drop-off area and at the front entrance. Principal Matt Harris alternated between entrances, escorting groups of students inside. However, some students — such as Forestville first grader Jaylen Cole-Williams — were sad to be bidding farewell to their summer vacation.
“He had a really good summer break,†said his chaperone Tyson Cole-Hines with a laugh when Jaylen said he was not excited about the first day of school.
For others, it was a big day. Julian Sheridan, 5, headed into Forestville to begin his first day of kindergarten.
“It’s an exciting first day of school,†said his mother, Leisa Sheridan.