There was the sound of excited children in the halls, instructions from the teachers in the classrooms and drop-off hugs from nervous parents on Wednesday morning.
School is back in for Elk Island Public Schools, as the first instructional day began on their calendar.
At Pine Street Elementary in Sherwood Park, just over 600 pupils, 30 teachers and 20 support staff were draped in the first-day-of-school spirit.
Principal Jeff Huculak says there was a personal touch for each student just before the big day.
“Yesterday, we had all of our teachers phone every student in their class to welcome them to the new school year to make them feel comfortable.”
“There was a lot of excitement. I think mostly kids were excited to see their friends, they knew who were their teachers were, so they had a great summer but were looking forward to being back at school.” Huculak said.
Classes began last week for students enrolled in the Edmonton Catholic Schools’ year-round school program, however students in the regular calendar programs at both the Edmonton public and Catholic districts return after the September long weekend.
READ MORE: All new Edmonton Catholic, public schools ready to open next week
The Elk Island Public School system is one of the province’s largest school divisions serving approximately 17,000 students in Sherwood Park, rural Strathcona County, Lamont County, Fort Saskatchewan and Vegreville.