Buses rolled in and music played at Forest Hills Elementary School on Tuesday as teachers and others greeted hundreds of students for their first day of school.
Tuesday marked the first day of instruction for most Eden Prairie Schools students, including pre-K, elementary and sixth- and ninth-grade students. Seventh-, eighth-, 10th-, 11th- and 12th-grade students start school Wednesday.
The eagerness and anticipation among students at Forest Hills was palpable as they ran up to the front doors. But the start of the new school year also ushers in a mix of excitement and nerves for teachers.
Ryan Johnson, a second-grade teacher at Forest Hills, said the beginning of the year always brings “first-day jitters” for students and teachers.
Katie Horstmann, a first-grade teacher at Forest Hills, agreed. “I feel like the first day, you just have to get through the first day … to feel back in it,” she said. “I always am so nervous before the first day. I don’t sleep very well, just because you got to get back into the rhythm of things.”
But those jitters also bring excitement for the year to come. Johnson and Horstmann said Forest Hills’ back-to-school night on Aug. 27 brought positive energy that helped staff start the school year on the right foot.
Last week’s back-to-school night also had positives for parents and children.
“All the families last week (that) we had at back-to-school night, too, were really excited just to be back in here and seeing all the smiles and the laughing and the stories,” Johnson said. “It just makes it fun.”
The new school year also opens the door to many opportunities for students, especially those in elementary school, to grow academically and socially and emotionally, according to Horstmann. She said one of her favorite parts of teaching is seeing children develop their own personalities and begin discovering their interests throughout the year.
“Just continuing to develop to become really good people and just watching the friendships develop and change throughout the year,” Johnson said. “You’re helping the kids become really well-rounded. I love watching that part.”
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