New routines for back to school

NASSAU COUNTY, Fla. – Summer vacation is officially over for students in Nassau County.

Students who have been out of school since early June headed back to the classrooms Thursday to begin the new school year.

Wednesday, students and parents had the chance to go to the schools for open house to meet their teachers and see their classrooms.

Wendy Knight and her son and daughter enjoyed one last late morning breakfast on their last day of summer vacation.

They've been preparing for the big day for weeks now. Mom, Wendy said it's always an exciting time, but this year is a bit nerve racking.

"He's going into middle school this year so that's a big step," said Wendy.
Gavin Knight is heading to sixth grade Thursday morning. A new school and a new routine; a transition Wendy Knight said the district helps make a little easier with open house.

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"We did go to middle school orientation Monday and we got to go to all of his classes, we changed classes with him so that was a step," said Wendy.

Teachers are all also preparing for new routines; a whole set of new students, standards and goals to work with.

"The first day for teachers is probably more nerve-racking then for the students. You get used to it but again you don't know what type of group you're going to have. Every year is different," said Lisa Dutschke, fourth-grade teacher at Yulee Elementary School.

For everyone in Nassau County, whether you have children or not or you're heading back to school or not, the sheriff's office wants to remind you your day Thursday will likely include some new routines as well.

"Typically the first day of school, as we are all aware, the school zones are back in function. The deputies will be reminding people to slow down for the school zones," said Nassau County Undersheriff George Leuders.  "There will be excessive traffic around the school zones, school buses will be back on the road you need to be aware of them loading and unloading it's stops. You're not used to it during the summer, so it'll take a period of getting use to again."