Tyler

By MEGAN MIDDLETON
Staff Writer

First day of school "butterflies" fluttered Monday as nervous and excited students throughout Tyler ISD returned to class for the 2008-09 school year.

At Caldwell Elementary, parents and students gathered in the cafeteria to eat breakfast before the big day began.

"She couldn't go to sleep last night," Tara Maryland said of her daughter, Shadaja Miller, who is starting second grade. "She was just excited -- you know the first day jitters. I had it when I went to school."

Ms. Maryland said it seems like yesterday that her little girl wasn't even in school, and now she's in second grade.

"She's growing up," she said. "I had my crying spurt last night."

TISD welcomed 17,552 students on its first day of classes Monday. That's up from the 17,175 that enrolled on the first day of school in 2007, according to TISD.

"It looks like things are off to a really good start," said TISD Superintendent Dr. Randy Reid, who visited seven campuses Monday. "I really enjoyed going into several classrooms today where they had some really fun activities going on for the kids. I saw them engaged and interacting with their teachers in some really, really unique ways."

Reid plans to visit more campuses on Tuesday.

With school supplies in tow and clad in colorful backpacks, students made their way through the halls to their new classrooms Monday morning at Caldwell.

"It's a beautiful feeling," Shanita Gossett said of seeing her first-grader, Sh'Kayla McGee, moving to the next grade. "Time moves fast. I want to be there to help her achieve all her goals and do whatever it takes. I want her to be successful in school, college and lead her and direct her on opportunities I missed. I want her to have better than I did."

Ms. Gossett said that first day back is exciting and said her daughter was anxious to get back to class.

"It's cool. It's fun," Sh'Kayla said about the first day of school, adding that what she likes about school is "playing outside and learning, reading and working."

Christina Guillen's two daughters, Marylisa and Isabelle Perez, were also looking forward to the return to Caldwell Monday.

"The first thing she said this morning, 'I'm so excited,'" Ms. Guillen said of her daughter. "And my second-grader was like 'I have butterflies.' They're excited about starting school this year."

Marylisa said of the first day, "I think it's awesome because I get to see all my friends again."

Inside Yvonne Malmstrom's third-grade classroom at Caldwell Monday morning, students introduced themselves to each other, reviewed procedures, talked about their summers and listened quietly as the teacher read a story about "First Day Jitters."

In her 11th year of teaching, Mrs. Malmstrom said she looks forward to the first day and plans for it all summer. She enjoys seeing students' faces and their smiles and "seeing the excitement in their eyes," she said.

"And I still have the first day jitters too, every now and then," she added.

As the school year begins, Mrs. Malmstrom said, "I'm just looking forward to working with these kids, getting them to where they need to be, helping them be successful in all they do. Success isn't necessarily measured by making straight A's -- it's by making progress," she said.

Many parents praised Caldwell and said they were pleased with its "exemplary" rating from the state.

"Oh, I love it," Ms. Maryland said. "It's the best school. They're family oriented. They care. If something's wrong, they're going to call you or e-mail you. I love that � I love Caldwell."

Colleen Millslagle, whose child is entering fifth grade, called Caldwell "an amazing place" and said she would miss it when her daughter finishes the school year and goes to another school.

"We wish Caldwell went to eighth grade," she said.

Rebecca Clapp, principal of Caldwell, said on Monday afternoon that the first day went smoothly.

"It was a great first day," Mrs. Clapp said. "Preparation really pays off. Procedures are in place and everyone knows what's expected."

Mrs. Clapp said what she enjoys most about the first day of school is "seeing the kids come back, seeing how much they've grown � just starting back in the routine and building another year."

She said several students told her Monday that they love their teacher and love school and can't wait to return the next day.

"Parents are happy. Teachers are smiling," she said. "All of them thought they had the best class."

Carlos Ledesma kisses his daughter, first grader Karen Ledesma (6) before she goes to her classroom at Caldwell Elementary Art Academy's first day of classes Monday.
(Staff Photo By Jaime R. Carrero)