School year dawns in NK

KINGSTON — The first day of school arrived Wednesday in North Kitsap and, as usual the day was marked by a little bit of apprehension, a lot of excitement and even some celebration.

And that was just by the parents.

As the North Kitsap School District threw open its doors for the first day of the school year, students and parents expressed a wide range of feelings about the important occasion.

At Wolfle Elementary, some parents expressed nervousness while escorting their children to school — “This is for mommy,” one parent explained as she guided her son to class — while others hid it better.

“It was exhilarating. Exciting. I have six hours to myself,” said Mori McMurrin, a parent of three children who attend school in the district, as she dropped her youngest off for his first day of kindergarten.

Another parent, Kathy Kennedy, said her daughter Mandy seemed ready for the big day.

“She was nervous but excited and ready to go back to school,” Kennedy said.

Some students adopted a more world-weary attitude. Sixth grader John Aguayo expressed displeasure at the prospect of being cooped up in a classroom: “I don’t like sitting around in class. It’s boring,” he said. But moments later, Aguayo admitted he was looking forward to certain portions of the year, such as class with Mr. Jez.

“He’s just cool. He’s fun. He always does fun things,” said Aguayo.

Fellow Wolfle Elementary student Rebecca Robinson was equally excited — both about school and about a small shopping spree that resulted in new clothes and supplies for the first day of school.

“I’m a big shopper,” the sixth grader confided. “It’ll be nice to be in sixth grade and getting to learn new things.”

The district opened its doors Wednesday to about 7,000 students, 475 teachers and 475 classified staff. Many of the schools in the district are undergoing renovation, resulting in more-cramped quarters at Poulsbo Elementary and closed-off portions at North Kitsap High School, where the gym, H building and front entrance are undergoing renovation.

Excitement for the first day wasn’t limited to the district’s younger students. In the high school, many students were equally thrilled.

“This is the most exciting part of the year,” sophomore Jacob Cole reported after only two classes had passed. “It’s just the concept of being older, you know? Having more authority.”

Fellow sophomore Alex Hickey said he was excited to be at the high school after seeing two siblings graduate.

“I’ve got big shoes to fill. My brother and sister went here,” he said.

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