In the wave of first days for back-to-school week, both Eugene School District 4J and Springfield Public Schools welcomed students back into the classroom on Wednesday.
In the morning, students and parents swarmed the schools, with a mix of eager and hesitant kids lining up to enter.
“My highest energy level is on this day,” Ridgeview Elementary School Principal Lacey MacDonald said. “My face will hurt from smiling so much, but it feels so good to get back in the routine and know the kids and know the families, and know that they’re just as excited as we are to get started at our school.”
‘Organized chaos’ at Springfield schools
At Ridgeview Elementary, nearly all of the approximately 350 students returned Wednesday morning, with the exception of half of the kindergarteners who follow the “Smart Start” schedule.
MacDonald, who has been a principal in SPS for 11 years, embraced the over-excited energy.
“It’s a lot of work preparing for this,” MacDonald said. “We’re super excited when the kids finally come in because we get to see all our work put to good use. Teachers are here for kids, so that’s what makes them most happy and most excited.