The girl sitting on the floor in the hallway doing United States puzzles gave a thumbs up when asked about her first day of school at Meneley Elementary School on Wednesday.
"It's going great," said Megan Bevins, 10. "It's fun because you have new teachers."
"Mrs. Michitarian is the coolest," said Benjamin Santos, 10. "She's letting us do fun things like puzzles and card games."
Trish Michitarian's students were doing puzzles to learn about states and capitals.
"By the end of the year we'll know all of our states," said Jarrett Geoffrion, 10. "I didn't think fifth grade would be so fun."
Trevone Miller-Alley said matter-of-factly he was probably the oldest student in the class at the age of 11 and that he was adopted by the John Alley family.
"I was supposed to be in sixth but I'm in fifth grade because of my hearing aids," Miller-Alley said, explaining they helped him hear certain tones. "I just got adopted yesterday."
The fifth-graders weren't the only ones to have made a smooth transition into the school year. With very few tears, even by parents, the kindergartners started school with everyone else.
"Everyone should start school on the first day," said Principal Brian Frazier. "Having kindergarten orientation the night before makes the first day go smoother. A few of the kids were ready to stay the night."
Every effort was made to make the students feel comfortable, find the way to classrooms and recognize teachers.
Just inside the school entrance is a group of "brag boards" with a section devoted to each grade. Photographs are displayed of teachers and other school staff.
"Everyone found their place and we didn't loose anyone on the first day," said Frazier. "It was a very smooth opening."
Douglas County public libraries will be closing at 5 p.m. on Aug. 29 to participate in Back to School Nights at Douglas County elementary schools.
Aug. 28 is the first day of school for Douglas County secondary schools.
