Students were happy to be back.
By: Nick D’Amore
JAMESBURG Parents and children were walking hand-in-hand. Some children bolt for the door, some cling to the familiar hand of a parent, crying that they do not want to go in.
Once again, September is here and with it the end of the summer and the first day of school.
John F. Kennedy School’s halls and outside area were filled with veteran students Wednesday who knew the drill and confidently roamed the halls, meeting with friends they may have lost contact with over the summer.
There also were rookies, the new kindergartners who take their first step in the education process. They were walked to class by parents, meeting new teachers, new classmates and beginning the exciting journey of learning.
The kids, whether new to the school or the old timers, were decked out in new back-to-school clothes and brand new backpacks, many supplied by Costco Wholesale Co. The smell of freshly sharpened pencils and stiff unmarked notebooks permeated the building.
The backpacks had been donated last month and were filled with various essential school supplies and snacks for the kids to enjoy at their first day of cafeteria lunch.
For the most part, students were happy to be back, having taken advantage of their summer vacations.
Madison Cheston, entering fourth grade this year, made sure her fun was also educational, as she visited the Philadelphia Zoo over the summer. She enjoyed the animals, especially the chickens, she said.
"I’m excited to be back, but I wish the summer was longer," she said.
Second-grader Tiffany Gandy had an adventurous vacation down in Atlantic City, staying on the 21st floor of her hotel. The dizzying heights, however, did not phase her, nor did the bright lights and busy pace.
Tiffany took to the less money-draining activities of Atlantic City, enjoying the pool and boardwalk. She, too, is happy to be back at school.
Second-grade classmate Jenna Rutsky also spent time from home, venturing down to Florida for a weekend.
"It was fun because we had a huge apartment and a pool in the back," she said.

