NILES — Just before 8 a.m. Tuesday morning, third grade teacher Heather Loos wore a superhero cape and mask, as she acquainted herself with her new students.

Loos was among dozens of faculty members who waited with their Eastside Connections students for the first day of school to begin. This year, Loos said she looks forward to cultivating “a whole new batch of superheroes.”

While they were not dressed to fight crime like Loos, many students touted shiny new backpacks and uniforms, as they waited for the first day of classes to begin.

With summer vacation coming to a close after the Labor Day weekend, students across Niles, Brandywine and Buchanan returned to classes Tuesday morning.

For students at Eastside Connections, the first day of school was particularly momentous because youth and staff had the chance to see bond construction improvements to their building.

With the hopes of speeding up the construction process, school officials moved Eastside Connections temporarily to Oak Manor last school semester. On Tuesday, many faculty were happy to be returning to their home base.

“That atmosphere about being back in our own building, I think it’s going to make a big difference,” said Alisha Reed, an instructional aide, who has worked at Eastside for six years. “Oak Manor was much smaller.”

As more than 400 kindergarteners through eighth graders filed through the doors Tuesday morning, they were greeted by renovated classrooms, with new carpeting and furniture. The school also got a number of safety and heating and air conditioning upgrades. For the first time, the school now has air conditioning. Upgraded heating units were also installed. For Reed, the air conditioning was among her favorite things about the renovations.

“I think we won’t have so many complaints about it being so hot,” Reed said. “It’s really hard for [students] to focus when it is so hot. If it is 90 degrees outside, it is 110 inside.”

Principal Joe Racht spent his morning welcoming new students. When he returned to his office, he reflected on the first day and the new year ahead.

“It was the smoothest first day that we have had here at Eastside since we re-opened seven years ago,” Racht said. “A lot of bright eyes, excited kids and happy teachers, so the first day: absolutely wonderful.”

Racht said it could not have been a better time to have a new air conditioner working, especially since temperatures are anticipated to be in the 90s this week.

Looking to the school year, Racht said the school is looking forward to its STEM program later this year, which allows youth to participate in interactive, science, technology, engineering and math programs. This year, the STEM program will include even more activities. Racht said they also plan to expand the STEM Club to include about 100 more students. Racht expects nearly 300 to be able to participate in the popular program. 

Students can also look forward to exploring the ground of Fernwood Botanical Garden & Nature Preserve for field trips and participating in a variety of afterschool activities, like swim and drama clubs.

At Brandywine Community Schools, students also returned to the classrooms. Superintendent Karen Weimer said that so far, things were off to a good start.

“The first of day of school is always exciting for staff and students,” Weimer said. “We are looking forward to great year and looking forward to the completion of the Community Center.”

The new community center is expected to offer more gym space for students and staff. Weimer said the project recently broke ground.

Weimer said, Merritt Elementary Principal Matt Severin hosted a breakfast Tuesday. There, Severin met with parents and answered any questions they had about the upcoming school year. She cited the first-time event as a great way to connect faculty and parents.

Looking ahead, Racht said there are a lot of learning opportunities on the horizon this school year.

“It’s going to be a very exciting year,” Racht said.