Back to school again

NORWALK — Backpacks were slung over shoulders and buses rumbled down neighborhood streets Wednesday morning as students returned to school for the first day after summer break. At St. Paul, children hurried inside with new sneakers and sharpened pencils, some clutching their parents' hands a little tighter than usual. Teachers greeted them at the doors with smiles and reassuring words. "Hey welcome back, don't look so nervous, it's going to be fine," a St. Paul staffer was overheard telling a young girl outside the elementary school. "You got this." When interviewed, most students were excited to be back for the new year, others were still tired but one young fourth grader made it clear that he had no interest in sharing his feelings. When asked how he was feeling this first day of school morning, he answered with a seemingly practiced reply well beyond his years. "I have no comment on that at this time, thank you," the boy said. "His father is an attorney," explained St. Paul president Martin Linder. For parents, the morning was a mix of relief and nostalgia. "I'm glad to have some routine back," the mother of a third grader said. "But it's bittersweet. They're getting older faster than I'd like." Teachers say the focus this year will be on boosting reading scores and providing more hands-on STEM activities. A high school staffer noted, "The first day sets the tone. We want students to feel safe, supported, and ready to learn."