First day of school turns out well, despite nerves

Transition into a new school year is stressful

MOSES LAKE — Harmony Duke, 11, learned a lot her first day as a sixth grade student at Frontier Middle School.

"It's hard to get around through everybody and sometimes your locker don't work, and sometimes it does," she said.

For the most part, the transition into the new school year went smoothly, although many adults had trouble dealing with the change.

Moses Lake resident Denis Burgess watched one of her children start high school, another start middle school and one more start kindergarten.

"A little emotional today," was how Burgess described the day.

"Nervous," was how her son described his first day in kindergarten.

Burgess said all her children felt a little jittery about their big transitions.

Frontier Principal Chris Lupo said more sixth grade students attended orientation this year than in years past, making the day run smoothly. At orientation, students had an opportunity to learn how to work their lockers, go through the lunch line and find their classes.

From the standpoint of the transportation department, the morning run went well, transportation director John Eschenbacher said on Wednesday, just before buses arrived to take students home. He anticipated more kids would ride home than rode the buses to school. For many of them, it would be their first time on the routes.

Moses Lake resident Marie Joanis said there were "tears, of course," watching her granddaughter start middle school for the first time.

Her granddaughter felt edgy going into sixth grade, but for a reason different from starting at a new school. She was nervous because of the shooting at Frontier 10 years ago.

"She had to be talked out of the car," Joanis said. She let her granddaughter know the school is safe now, the event would not be repeated and bullying is not tolerated at the school.

But her granddaughter loves school and is a good student, she said. As the days go by, she is confident the transition will become easier.

"I can't wait to hear about her first day," Joanis added.

Moses Lake resident April Zavala said one of her children entering sixth grade felt eager to start the school year, while her other child claimed illness. Zavala said she is dealing with the fact that her children are going to school further from home and she can no longer monitor them as closely.

"It was exciting but scary," Zavala said.