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Schools

Oakdale Elementary School Parents and Students Share Excitement for the New 2011-2012 School Year

Oakdale Elementary School held its Back to School night Tuesday evening. Oakdale Patch stopped by to see how people were feeling about the upcoming year.

Parents, children and teachers alike are anxiously awaiting the arrival of Sept. 6, the day that marks the beginning of the upcoming school year for Oakdale students. 

Oakdale Elementary held its Back to School night Tuesday evening, giving families the opportunity to meet their teachers, drop off school supplies and sign up for various activities. 

We asked students, parents and teachers: “What are you looking forward to the most this school year?”

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Kim Rousch is sending her child, Lily to school for the first time.

“I am looking forward to all the learning Lily is going to do. Everything is very exciting for both of us,” she said.

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Kindergarten teacher Juanita Lewis said she is looking forward to it all.

“I love working with the kids, watching them grow and learn and make connections with each other. Seeing the excitement in the children is a lot of fun for me,” Lewis said.

The general consensus of the parents is that they are looking forward to their children going back to school. 

“What we are looking forward to the most is early bedtime!” Michelle Waterworth laughed.

“I am really excited to enjoy my coffee alone in the morning. I’m looking forward to the house being quiet during the day,” Becky Johnson said.

Many kids, parents and teachers said they are simply looking forward to getting back to a normal schedule.

Parent and Special Needs teacher, Toni Huettle is among them.

“The summer was fun, I worked for Adventure Connection, but it will be nice to get back to the regular school year,” Huettle said.

First-grade teacher, Sarah Bjorklund loves the excitement of the new year.

“I love getting to know the new kids and watch them grow throughout the year. Getting a new class each year keeps it exciting,” Bjorklund said.

Many kids had different subjects or activities that they are eager to start.

“Math is my favorite subject, it’s a lot of fun, so I am pretty excited about that,” fourth-grader Eric Lueke said.

His second grade brother, Alex agreed.

“We love math!” he added with a smile.

Claudia Johnson is eager to reconnect with her friends.

“I am most excited for Girl Scouts, it’s my favorite activity,” she said.

For some kids, this year marks the end of their elementary years and the beginning of a new start at the middle school.

“I’m excited to play football this year and have it be my last year before I go to a new school. Plus, we get lockers,” fifth-grader Riley Draves said.

Christy Senf said the last year for her youngest son is bittersweet.

“He’s my youngest so it’s a little sad, but it’s also exciting for him to go through this year of transition before he goes to middle school.  I appreciate the way the school organizes everything for the fifth-graders.  It makes the whole transition much easier and exciting for them,” she said.

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