By By SPIROS GALLOS / Niles Daily Star
NILES - Some ran happily into school, some clutched their parents' hands not wanting to leave. No matter how these first-graders felt, one thing was for certain - school was back in session on Monday.
The jump from kindergarten to first grade may seem insignificant to most, but to a new first grader, it can be the most life-altering experience imaginable.
Amy Zelmer, a first grade teacher at Eastside Elementary School, knows how hard the transition can be and does her best to help the kids along.
The biggest change for a lot of students is that the school day is a full day, not a half day like they were used to in kindergarten.
A totally new experience for the first graders is having their own things in class.
A desk and books to call their own for the school year is a big change from sitting at a table with classmates and listening to the teacher read the story aloud, Zelmer said.
Derrick Dye, 6, was surprised when he found out everybody had their own desk. He even discovered one of the school supplies he would be using over the course of the year in his desk.
So after a full day of classes, what are some popular classes to these young scholars?
For one accustomed to eating lunch at home, lunch at school can be a unique experience.
Even the work load took some students by surprise on the first day of classes. Lintz didn't expect to be reading from his new books on the first day of class.
Of course there is play time in first grade. The kids get five recess breaks to go outside and blow off some steam.
But as the day went along, the nerves settled and Lintz decided this was a good place to be.
Dillon's mom, Lisa, shared her son's feelings.
Sure he was nervous at lunch, but he stayed awake all day.
So say good-bye to naptime and the half days of kindergarten, this is first grade now.