Excitement stirs the air as Oak Harbor schools open

Smiles and excited chatter filled the air as students at Oak Harbor Elementary School lined up to begin their first day of school Thursday. New kindergartners Cianna Christ and Colin Shishido chased each other in circles around their watchful parents. Cianna said fishing was the highlight of her summer vacation but she was all smiles as she said she was excited to start school and see her friends.

By Rebecca Olson • September 9, 2011 5:55 pm
New kindergarteners Cianna Christ and Colin Shishido chase each other in circles as a parent looks on before the beginning of the first day of school Thursday.
New kindergarteners Cianna Christ and Colin Shishido chase each other in circles as a parent looks on before the beginning of the first day of school Thursday.

Smiles and excited chatter filled the air as students at Oak Harbor Elementary School lined up to begin their first day of school Thursday.

New kindergartners Cianna Christ and Colin Shishido chased each other in circles around their watchful parents. Cianna said fishing was the highlight of her summer vacation but she was all smiles as she said she was excited to start school and see her friends.

After a summer of playing outside and going to the Family Fun Center, Kira Thomas gave her three-year-old brother Vin a hug goodbye before scampering off to join her first grade friends.

“This morning, her brother said he’s going to miss her and wanted to go to school with her,” mother Lisa Thomas said as Vin clutched a toy car and watched his sister chatting with friends.

Katherine Ferrell gave her mom, Luanne, a final goodbye hug before hurrying to join her kindergarten class. Their dog Bailey also joined in the farewell.

“We’re excited to start this new chapter,” Luanne said, smiling.

The excitement was similar at Oak Harbor’s five elementary schools, two middle schools and one high school, all of which started school Thursday.