There was excitement and some tears as the 2008-09 school year kicked off at Watervliet Elementary School on September 3. Parents looked on as buses dropped off students lugging back-packs full of supplies, ready to meet a new school year head-on.

One parent came to drop off a lunch box, "It's the first day and he is already forgetting his stuff - this is going to be a long year," the mother laughed, joking with other parents waiting for the buses to arrive.

Other parents were there to offer moral support to children riding the bus for the first time. "My daughter's in 3rd grade, but we've always driven her. My work hours changed so this year she is taking the bus and she was kind of scared so I figured I would show up to surprise her," said one father. And surprise her he did - she ran screaming happily into his arms as she jumped off the bus, "Daddy, I did it!"

Down at the kindergarten entrance parents cheered the shy new students on, complimenting their backpacks and special "first-day-of-school" outfits. "Look at you - what a big girl, you're going to do great," shouted one man to a little girl with tears in her eyes. "I don't know who she is," he said," but it's such a big day for these little guys, you just have to be proud of all of them whether they're yours or not!"

Administrators said the day went smoothly. 11 buses transported approximately 3/4 of the school's students, with few incidents. "The first day is always a challenge, it can take a few days to work out the kinks," said Janelle Yanni, who is in charge of the district's transportation. "I'd have to say that things went very well this year - it may be our best start yet!"

Check out a slide show of the first morning at WES!

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