Students all around the country are getting on school buses, on their bicycles, in cars and making their way back to school buildings. After a year of constant adjustments due to Covid it is exciting to see school routines mostly back to normal.

In Nederland schools, masks are required. There are still Covid protocols in place. However, there are more students and teachers in the buildings and it is exciting to be back.

Some students have not seen their classmates in person for over a year. A teacher at Nederland Elementary commented that it is fun to see students becoming friends again. She enjoys listening to their conversations and seeing how they are making connections again.

For some families they are sending their children to kindergarten and that first day of school is a really big deal. It is a day filled with mixed emotions. You are proud they are old enough to be going to school, but it is hard to see them go. They are stepping onto a big bus or into a big building without a parent. They are also carrying a backpack that is almost as big as they are.

For the Class of 2022 they are starting their last year of high school. It is an exciting year! One that should be celebrated, but one that can also be stressful as certain classes must be passed to graduate and the unknown for the upcoming year can be daunting.

Before school started Nederland Elementary hosted an outdoor Meet the Teacher event. Students, along with their families, could come to the school playground and meet their teacher. Many people attended the event and there was excitement in the air. Families seemed genuinely delighted to be seeing each other again and to be gathered together at school.

When school starts every August everyone involved goes through a time of transition. It is kind and compassionate to show them grace during this time. Students, parents, teachers and staff are all learning to adjust their schedules and are working to get back into the groove of school.

Last year when school started online the first book my daughter’s teacher read to the class was Pete the Cat: Rocking in My School Shoes. Each student had to make a little video about this book. My daughter sang a little song and changed the words slightly to, “I’m dancing in my school shoes”. It became our little song of motivation to get through the day.

As you head to school and adjust back to the routine of buses, classes, homework and extra activities I hope you find you are dancing in your school shoes, too.