New teachers join districts

COLUMBIA BASIN - Children appeared to be in summer mode as they enjoyed Peninsula Elementary School's playground just before school Wednesday.

Most districts in the Columbia Basin started school Wednesday. School began in Warden Monday, in Wilson Creek Tuesday, and will begin in Quincy Sept. 2.

"The thing I love about the first day is seeing all the parents (and) grandparents," said Peninsula Principal Doug Luiten.

Luiten said the first day of school is a family affair, full of excitement and smiling faces.

New students weren't the only ones experiencing the thrill of a new school year. Moses Lake welcomed 51 new teachers, Othello welcomed 26 new teachers, Quincy welcomed 21 new teachers, Ephrata welcomes 11 new teachers, Royal City welcomed six new teachers, Soap Lake and Wilson Creek welcomed two new teachers, and Warden and Ritzville welcomed one new teacher.

"Everything is smooth," said Ephrata School District Superintendent Jerry Simon. "We had a lot of in-service time with our teachers and everybody's on the same page."

He said student enrollment numbers were higher than last year, although an official count will be available Sept. 4.

For kindergarten students, the first day of school was a big step toward their futures.

Moses Lake resident Shannon Justesen saw her son Troy Justesen, 5, off on his first day of school.

"He's so excited," Justesen said. "He didn't want to leave (open house) last night."

She said he spent a month at the school with a speech therapist, and was disappointed with summer break.

"He thought we should have school all the time," she said.

During her first day of class, 5-year-old Sydney Ries fit foam letters into cut-out shapes.

Sydney's mother, LeAnne Ries, reminded Sydney her 10-year-old sister at the school will be there to look out for her. Ries said it is fun seeing her daughter off to school.

Sydney knows two peers from preschool who are joining her for kindergarten, 5-year-old twins Jennifer and Ashley John.

"I'm excited for them. They're going to have a lot of fun," said Jennifer and Ashley's mom, Dotty Holmes. "It will be a good experience for them."

Jennifer expressed positive feelings with the first day of kindergarten, as she and Ashley played with toys in the classroom.

"I like it," she said. "I like playing. I like making new friends."

"I like watching airplanes fly off," said Ashley.