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Saturday, September 5, 2009

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It's back to school Tuesday

By JODIE TWEED

Staff Writer

Come Tuesday morning there will be 4,790 students hopping aboard Brainerd school buses, likely decked out in their new shoes, clothing and backpacks.

And school officials remind motorists to be cautious on the first day of school as bus drivers learn their routes and traffic increases around the schools.

"We just want to remind the general public to be watching for the school buses, watching for our kids out there," said Kala Henkensiefken, Brainerd school transportation coordinator.

Henkensiefken said bus drivers all too often experience stop arm violations, when a motorist illegally passes a bus on the right, even though the stop arm is extended and lights are flashing. Students have even been getting on or off the bus when these violations have occurred.

Riverside parents helped their children find their classrooms and meet their new teachers Wednesday at the Riverside Elementary School open house.
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Brainerd Dispatch/Kelly Humphrey

"People just really need to be aware of their surroundings," said Henkensiefken. "Watching for kids walking in the crosswalks, watching for buses."

Henkensiefken asked that parents make sure their children are at the bus stop at least 10 minutes before the scheduled pick up, but also to remember that it's normal for buses to run late during the first week of school. She said bus drivers are checking every child's bus card to make sure the student is where he or she is supposed to be.

Superintendent Steve Razidlo said the street in front of Riverside Elementary School is now a one-way and staff members will be out there making sure the pick-up and drop-off times operate smoothly as parents adjust to this change.

Razidlo said traffic congestion is anticipated at Forestview Middle School during the morning dropoff, but also school staff are expecting that many students will show up late for school. Forestview students are the last students dropped off by bus in the district and any bus delays tend to significantly delay these middle school students from getting to class, said Razidlo.

Riverside kindergarten teacher Erica Bordwell introduced herself to her new student, Nikita Mann, 5, at the school open house Wednesday as Mann’s little sister, Kyra Mann, 3, watched. School starts Tuesday.
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Brainerd Dispatch/Kelly Humphrey

"We ask parents to be patient with us as we get bus drivers and families moving through those first few days," said Razidlo.

Brainerd High School freshmen and sophomores return to school Tuesday but juniors and seniors have an extra day of summer vacation. They start school Wednesday so the underclassmen may become acclimated to high school and their new schedules.

Pequot Lakes students in sixth- through 12th-grades also start school Tuesday, but Eagle View Elementary students won't start until Thursday as parent-teacher conferences are held Tuesday and Wednesday for kindergarten through fifth grade, said Pequot Lakes Superintendent Rick Linnell.

"We think we're ready to rock and roll, bring the kids, it's time to start educating," Linnell said with a laugh. "We're ready to go."

Crosby-Ironton Superintendent Jamie Skjeveland said the most significant change in the C-I district is the addition of all-day, everyday kindergarten. The school board just hired another kindergarten teacher this week since kindergarten enrollment has jumped to more than 80 students. Only two or three weeks ago the district anticipated having about 65 kindergarten students, he said.

"We're excited about that, we feel the all-day program is going to advance student achievement," said Skjeveland. "We are looking forward to a new year and doing our job, and that's preparing kids for the future."

Pillager Superintendent Chuck Arns said the school has experienced a 5 percent growth in enrollment since the start of last school year, or an increase of 38 students. So students may notice a few more new faces in their classes this year.

"We have more kids and that's kind of exciting," said Arns.

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