ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – Summer ended earlier than usual in St. Johns County as over 36,000 school children became the first in northeast Florida to return to the classrooms for the 2015-2016 school year.
The first bell rang at 7:50 a.m. Monday for middle school. Elementary students were in class at 8:30 a.m. and high school began at 9:15 a.m. With a new school year with new and exciting changes, there are always reminders for parents to help get everyone back in the swing of things.
Superintendent Dr. Joseph Joyner said the first day is always more relaxed and less complicated so everyone can easily get back into the swing of things. He says his main message for everyone: be patient.
Joyner says starting the 2015 to 2016 school year early wasn't a problem at all. Parents were asked what they wanted their students' calendar to look like.
"The overwhelming desire was to end the semester by winter break, so that means we had to start a little earlier to finish a little earlier," said Joyner.
Just like students and teachers, he still gets the first day jitters. He says fortunately there won't be any major challenges the first week of school, but expect some hiccups this first week.
"There are always lots of changes at each school with course work and such," said Joyner.
Most of the students told News4Jax they were actually excited to go back to school.
"I'm looking forward to making better grades than I did last year," said Shatia Smiley, who attends St. Johns Technical High School.
Students can also expect to have new teachers and more classmates this year. The No. 1 school district in the state continues to grow.
"We're No. 1 because of great parents and great teachers and bright kids more than that our growth has allowed us to be introduced to beautiful new children and families, so it's a positive thing," said Joyner.
Th county projects 36,187 students this year, an increase of more than 1,000 from the 2014-2015 year.
Officials said 171 buses will carry 20,000 students to and from school each day. Kindergartens will have a staggered start through the week, with 25 percent attending each day.
Margaret Shultis dropped of her 5-year-old daughter at Ocean Palms Elementary School in Ponte Vedra Beach.
"It's a great school district. (The) teachers are wonderful and I'm very excited," Shultis said.
Joyner says his No. 1 piece of advice for students and parents: "Be a little patient the first few days of school. It may be a little slower than it will be when going full steam but it's by design and we're doing it on purpose and for the safety of the children."
Most parents agree their kids are in the right place.
"I think the principal, as well as the school board, they're excellent in terms of the education for the students of the 21st century," said Kelvin Bray, parent of a kindergartner. "That's part of the reason why we moved into this area, knowing that's their reputation. I think it speaks for itself the success we've had thus far with his older brother, success, we feel, and faith we have in the system."