Voices from the First Day of School

Students, parents, teachers, bus drivers, custodians and the Fairfax County school superintendent opened the county's schools Tuesday morning under rainy gray skies.

Here are the voices of the first day of school as 177,000 students returned to 138 elementary schools (grades K-6), 19 middle schools (grades 7 and 8), three middle schools (grades 6-8), four secondary schools (grades 7-12), 21 high schools (grades 9-12), seven special education centers, two alternative high schools and 48 alternative programs.

Langley High School:

Fairfax School Superintendent Dr. Jack Dale arrived at Langley at dawn, in the rain as the first trickle of students became a oncoming torrent.

But on the first day of school 47 years ago, Dale was a tenth grader entering New Canaan High School in New Canaan, Conn.

He was born in Seattle and lived in Tacoma until his dad took a job in New York and the family moved to the Connecticut.

His advice to these incoming freshmen: "They should explore things that they love." But he also encouraged all students "to take some risks in courses to learn about themselves."

Dranesville Supervisor Jane Strauss who was waiting for Dr. Dale: "Parents should always feel welcomed at our schools. Parents are their teachers. They are important members of our education family."

Spring Hill Elementary

Craig and Elizabeth Talbot who has just said goodbye to daughter Anna, 5, who was entering full-day kindergarten: "I'm very excited and happy. It makes life easier, " said father Craig.

Mom Elizabeth: "I'm overwhelmed and very excited. I can't believe we're here,"  she said wiping away a few tears.

Maria Campos accompanying daughter Giolene, 5 to all day kindergarten: "I'm very nervous. We're already late. It seems like we just had her yesterday."

Laurie MacHarg, a Spring Hill resource teacher, dropped her daughter off at Langley where she is a senior this year. Then MacHarg came to work to welcome her students.

Cathy Ditoro, a counseling intern from George Mason University: "I'm very excited. I'm not sure what to expect. I feel ready to go. We could be doing anything any given day," she said as kids swirled around her. Ditoro is a graduate student who will earn her masters in May.

Rick Nickerson, bus driver: "I'm not ready for summer to be over yet, but the kids were primed and eager to get to school," he said.

After his five children finished South Lakes High School in Reston, he became a bus driver five years ago. He and his bus leave Aldrin Elementary in Reston every morning at 5 for the trip to McLean.

Steven Yee, parent. "We thought it would be smooth," this morning "But the bus didn't come" so he drove his son and two friends to Spring Hill.

"We weren't very happy," he said but he is "very happy to be back at school" instead of driving the kids to camp, he said.

Benish Hasson, with daughter Shehrbano, 10, entering fifth grade: The family moved from New York less than a month ago. Her husband, a college professor, came to work at the National Defense University in Washington, D.C.

"We moved to McLean because of the good schools and the (ease) of the commute. I like the feel of the town."

McLean Patch contributor Lori Baker sent this report from Kent Gardens Elementary

Because the weather was slightly drizzly Tuesday morning, students arrived at Kent Gardens Elementary School sporting rain slickers and umbrellas.  And though there were a few nervous faces, most of the children smiled. 

Many children arrived by bus and others were walked in by parents.  There were many teachers, administrators, and volunteers on hand to help guide students to their new classrooms. 

Samuel Klein, a parent-volunteer and employee of Fairfax County Schools’ central office, was also on hand to greet students as they entered the school.  “It’s going to be a fantastic day,” he told the kids.  “Or an awesome day.  You choose,” he said.  That brought smiles to those who were slightly uneasy about starting a new year and a new grade.

 But for the most part, the students seemed excited.  And with reason, according to Klein.  He described a recent  spring fund-raising visit by former Redskins player, Gary Clark.  Clark described walking into a fourth-grade class where they were doing engineering, and then walking into another class where they were doing engineering in French.  “They didn’t have that when I was a kid,” remarked Clark.

 “That kind of summed it up,” said Klein.  “It’s so exciting here at Kent Gardens.”