Opportunity Elementary Starts Year With Ice Cream, Enthusiasm

On the night before school started, Opportunity Elementary was full of children and parents. They met teachers, they learned who’s in their class, and they ate ice cream.

“We wanted a festive celebration,” said Opportunity Principal Lyle Krislock. He was particularly pleased at the number of fathers who attended the back-to-school night, he said. The only glitch in the event: So many families came, that the ice cream ran out early.

Students and parents seemed to appreciate the chance to learn their way to Johnny’s classroom without the confusion and pressure of the first day of classes.

“I think it’s a good idea,” said Pam Craig, whose son Andrew is in Rosemary McInerny’s class at Opportunity. “I bet they won’t have utter chaos in the morning here.”

Sixth-grader Ginger Gomez said she liked knowing which friends are in her class. “Now, I’ll dream about it,” she said, as she and her mother headed for home.

At other Valley schools, the fun, and the first day of school, started up Wednesday morning.

Members of the PTA at Pasadena Park Elementary set up refreshments in the gym and answered questions for potential members.

While parents relinquished their little darlings to first-grade teacher Shelby Rothstrom, the children gingerly explored the classroom. Some found headphones, others picked up books.

“We’re going to have a great year. Look at all the boys who are reading,” Rothstrom exclaimed.

At Trentwood Elementary, the crush of parents at the secretary’s desk was heavy enough that one mother simply stepped behind the counter and helped answer questions.

One of the first priorities for the younger students at Trentwood was learning their way around their school. Teachers satisfied that need by reviewing basic hallway behavior. Third-graders in Hal Moffit’s class solemnly took in reminders to face front, keep their hands to themselves and not lean up against the walls.

Fourth-graders at Trentwood got a taste of being in the west wing of the school, where the older students are. “Sometimes the move to this end of the building can be intimidating,” said teacher Vicki Lunneborg. “But they’re ready to go.”

Lunneborg sent her well-mannered line-up of fourth-graders into David Rapp’s music room for a brief session. Within moments, Rapp had the students singing, while he accompanied them on guitar. The song was a natural for the first day.

“Let’s pretend we’re astronauts,” the children sang, their voices shy. “Come ride the learning rocket.”

, DataTimes