Nine-year-old Christian Marte usually isn’t awake at 7 a.m., but on Tuesday, he made an exception.
It was the first day of school, after all.
“He was very excited,” said his father, Jose Marte of Jefferson. “He beat the alarm clock, but I don’t think it will happen again.”
Marte stood outside Jefferson Elementary School with several other parents and grandparents waiting hand-in-hand with their children, most of whom were carrying new backpacks adorned with Disney characters and comic book heroes.
Kristen Slawson said her two children, Madyson, 11, and Laken, 7, had “mixed emotions” about returning to school.
Madyson perked up when a friend hollered “hello” from across the school yard.
Christian, Madyson and Laken were among thousands of area students who returned to school Tuesday. The only schools already in session were Ss. John and Paul Schools, which started back Aug. 19, and Pymatuning Valley, which opened Monday.
Tuesday in Jefferson Area Local Schools District went “fantastic,” Superintendent Doug Hladek said.
“You can’t imagine how great it is in Jefferson, starting with the new Falcon Pride Stadium,” he said. “Kick-off is at 7 p.m. Friday.”
Hladek could hardly contain his excitement as he described the first day of school at Jefferson and Rock Creek elementary schools, as well as at the high school and junior high.
“Everyone is anxious for the new high school-junior high school to open,” he said. “We anticipate Oct. 20 as the day. I hope the contractor doesn’t make a fibber out of me.”
The Conneaut Area City Schools district rolled out a revamped bus schedule on its first day Tuesday, and the debut went reasonably well, said Superintendent Kent Houston. “We’re ironing out some busing issues,” he said.
The district’s half-mile walking points need some adjustment, and drivers are working with the routing director, Houston said. “Everything else is running smooth,” he said.
On hand to greet Conneaut High School students was Dawn Zappitelli, the building’s new principal, the third principal there in as many years. She served as the district’s athletic administrator last year.
“We spend so much time getting ready for this day,” Zappitelli said. “It’s exciting to see the kids coming through the door.”
In Orwell, Grand Valley Local Schools Superintendent Bill Nye said it was a pretty good day.
New this year is the district is trying to “go green” by returning the real, washable lunch trays, in place of disposable trays, he said.
Mother Nature cooperated, too.
“It’s a pretty nice day,” he said. “Not too hot, not too cold.”
Geneva Local Schools Superintendent Mary Zappitelli said Geneva had a smooth opening.
“I toured the district and everything seemed to be in good shape,” she said.
Happy Hearts School in Kingsville also started Tuesday.
“Everything is running smoothly,” said Peggy Massi, the superintendent’s secretary.
Local News
Related Photos
Discussion
BACK TO SCHOOL
Hopes, excitement greet first day of classes
- Local News
-
-
Six ready to interview for Buckeye’s super job
The Buckeye Local Board of Education will conduct interviews with six superintendent hopefuls next week, said Board President Jacqueline Hillyer.
-
Shooting suspect to be tried as adult
A 17-year-old will be tried as an adult in the school shooting deaths of three students, a juvenile court judge ruled Thursday after hearing a sheriff’s deputy describe how the teen wore a T-shirt with the word “Killer” and admitted shooting people.
-
Ohio EPA takes AIM at site of hazardous wastes
Ohio Environmental Protection Agency staff members returned this week to the site of the now-bankrupt Ashtabula Iron and Metal on West 30th Street to take samples of the unknown liquids and analyze hazardous wastes, asbestos and other potential health and environmental concerns.
-
Commissioners look at selling nursing beds
Commissioners have retained the services of a law firm that specializes in the sale of excess nursing home beds as the board looks at ways to raise additional revenues.
-
Conneaut looks at demolition funds
The city is making preparations to secure its share of nearly $692,000 in demolition funds expected to be Ashtabula County’s portion of a multi-billion dollar settlement with national mortgage lenders.
-
Volunteers get more help than needed at rescue spot
Despite their good intentions, Edward and Mary proved more hindrance than help to the Conneaut KeyBank employees lending a helping hand Thursday to a farm animal rescue operation in Kingsville Township.
-
220 graduate at Lakeside
Thursday night was a time of pomp, circumstance and smiles as 220 seniors graduated from Lakeside High School.
-
Lost money?
There is no map, and “X” may not mark the spot, but hundreds of Ashtabula County residents may have unclaimed cash ready and waiting for them through the Ohio Department of Commerce.
-
Lane to be tried as adult in Chardon High shooting
A 17-year-old boy will be tried as an adult in the school shooting deaths of three students, a juvenile court judge ruled Thursday.
-
Happy Hearts School holds commencement for its Class of 2012
As commencement exercises go in Ashtabula County, the one at Happy Hearts School was small, with just five students.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Six ready to interview for Buckeye’s super job
