School year starts
Marietta will join rest of county on MondayBy Kate York, kyork@mariettatimes.com
Article Photos
Students across Washington County battled a few butterflies in their stomachs and cases of the end-of-summer blues Wednesday to head back into the classroom for their first day of school.
Wednesday marked the first day of school for students in the Warren, Wolf Creek, Frontier, Belpre and Fort Frye districts with Marietta students set to resume classes Monday.
"I was really excited when I got up this morning," Waterford High School freshman Abby Smith, 14, said Wednesday. "I've been really nervous but orientation (Tuesday) and meeting the teachers made me feel so much better. I was ready."
For a class of fourth-graders at Salem-Liberty Elementary there weren't only a few nervous butterflies to contend with but also millipedes, termites, slugs and flying ants.
Teacher Jack Hennes started the school year with a mostly outdoor day of class that wouldn't make the students completely hold in their leftover summer energy.
"Instead of the typical first day where they go in and sit and listen to the rules and get their books I wanted to do an activity," he said. "I was always the student getting in trouble on the first day and I thought 'How can I make this more interesting?' I want them to be able to go home and say 'You won't believe what we did today.'"
Hennes used an idea he heard about at an Ohio State University Extension workshop and brought in three dead logs for the fourth-graders to break open. They then grabbed as many different insects as they could and spent the day analyzing, sketching and writing about the bugs in a way that incorporated art, science, math and language arts.
"It wasn't what I expected to be doing at all on the first day," said Chelsey Snodgrass, 9.
"I can't believe I'm saying this but I love school," said Mason Tatro, 10, taking a break from bug-catching and a creepy versus cool debate with some of his more squeamish classmates. "I can't wait until tomorrow now."
Tatro said he had been apprehensive about the start of the school year, until it kicked off Wednesday morning with the insect study.
"I was just nervous because I didn't know (my teacher) very well," he said. "But he's awesome."
The teachers also helped ease the nerves of Waterford High School freshman Olivia Sprague, she said.
"They all seem really enthusiastic and they want to help us," said Sprague, 14, who previously went to St. John Central Grade School. "I was 'nervous-excited' coming in because I wanted to come to high school but it's a big jump. Now that I'm here I just feel like part of a big family."
First-day jitters aren't exclusively for the students, said Warren High School math teacher Sally Maddox.
Maddox said after 23 years of teaching and 10 years at Warren, the days leading up to the first day of classes are still filled with anticipation.
"It's always a new beginning and a new group of kids," she said. "I get excited and nervous just like the kids."
That doesn't mean the students should expect a slow start to the year, though.
"I've been known to give homework on the first day," Maddox said. "We get going right away."
New Matamoras Elementary Principal Bill Wotring said the first day went well for students and parents both, which isn't always the case when a first day of kindergarten is involved.
"We did super well and had no criers," he said. "I didn't even see any mommies crying and we've certainly had occasions where the kids are doing OK and the parents walk back down the hall crying."
The beautiful day Wednesday was likely even a factor in the smooth start, Wotring said.
"It's nice that it was nice outside because if you start out on a rainy day and the kids come in wet it's just not a good start," he said. "All those little things help."
The day was bittersweet for a few, though.
"It's kind of sad, I think," said Waterford High School senior Cody Strahler, 17, of his last first day of school. "But it feels good. I'm excited to be back and be with all my friends and to finally be a senior."
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emt216
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08-21-08 6:54 PM
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yea! lets all agree for once, may the kids have a wonderful year. i know my girls are happy to be back to school.
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teaglass97
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08-21-08 6:30 PM
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Wow, children who want to learn. Who knew. With the right teachers, anything is possible.
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MKDK4TK
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08-21-08 5:20 PM
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i agree 100%
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flintknapper
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08-21-08 10:44 AM
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Hear! Hear!
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MrWilson
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08-21-08 10:06 AM
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What? A positive article about our local schools? Someone wake me up I must be dreaming! I agree with ONEAMONGTHEM...let's keep this positive spin on our schools going this year...what do you say Times?
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OneAmongThem
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08-21-08 8:38 AM
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What a great article! Let's continue to hear these positive school reports all year long. It not only helps us on the outside of the school systems see the good things that go on in schools, but allows the parents to know that their students have teachers that really care about their children's education with their best interests at heart. Thanks!
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