FORT RUCKER, Ala. (August 13, 2015) -- Back to school -- three words many children dread and many parents love to hear, but regardless of how they feel, excitement was in the air as families headed out for a new school year Aug. 6.
Children on Fort Rucker were welcomed with open arms as they experienced their first day back to school, and among the first-day jitters were anxious children, excited parents and teachers eager to get the new school year under way, according Vicki Gilmer, Fort Rucker Elementary School principal.
"I am super excited about starting the new school year," she said. "We have a phenomenal year planned for our FRES families and we're really excited to get the year under way."
Parents walked with their children to their classrooms and got the chance to introduce themselves to their children's new teachers, and although some were nervous to get the new year started, some were downright happy.
"I get to be in a class with a lot of my friends, so I think this is going to be a lot of fun," said Charlie Planter, FRES student. "I can't wait to use my new school supplies -- I think that's the most fun part."
The first day of school can also provide mixed emotions for parents, as Planter's mother, Dana, described.
"It's always a mix of feelings when you drop your children off at school at the beginning of the year," she said. "You get so used to having them around throughout the summer and then they're gone for most of the day again. It provides some relief because I know they're in good hands, but you still miss them."
Sometimes tears can be common at Fort Rucker Primary School where parents are dropping their children off to school for the first time, according to Melissa Heitzenroder, FRPS school secretary, but parents are comforted knowing that their children will be well taken care of.
"Our first day of school was amazing," said Heitzenroder. "The kids were all excited, and we actually had fewer children and parents cry this year than in previous years. Everything got off to a great start with no issues."
Although parents were able to introduce themselves to their children's teachers, they will have an opportunity to get to know the teachers better during a parent orientation day Aug. 26 and the parent teacher conference date is Oct. 23.
"This will provide us the opportunity to share more with the parents and will allow us to start the year off as a strong, solid community," said Gilmer.
The primary school will be offering a pre-kindergarten orientation for parents Aug. 20 at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. to give parents with children new to school a chance to get to know the teachers and ask questions.
Many FRPS parents got the opportunity to speak with their children's teachers during the Sneak-a-Peek, where they got to make their first impressions.
A lot of preparation goes in to planning for a new school year, and much of the prep work is often done before the children even get to the schools, and oftentimes, Gilmer said, many teachers will prep for the new school year immediately after the previous year.
"We're so happy that school is back in session and we're all excited for a great, new school year," said Heitzenroder.
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