Welcome back-to-school, students!

The big yellow buses will soon start rolling again and that can only mean one thing: School is about to begin for students in Springfield schools.

Students in both Springfield Public and St. Raphael Schools will go back to class on Monday, August 21.

Most boys and girls are feeling excited and maybe a little sad, too, that summer vacation is ending.

Some children feel nervous or a bit scared on the first day of school because there’s a lot of “new” in the new school year — new teachers, new friends, new classes and new challenges. But, for most youngsters in Springfield, few children will have first-day jitters. School is already underway for most students and staff.

Kindergarten camp was conducted August 7-10.

iPads were distributed to students in grades 7-12 last week. 

Eligibility meetings for students involved in extra-curricular activities — athletics and fine arts — were held last week. 

Open house for elementary and high school departments was held last evening when students and their parents had the opportunity to visit classrooms, teachers, tour the school and find their lockers. School pictures for grades K-11 were also taken during the open house.

Fall sports practices — for cross country, football, tennis and volleyball — are underway.

Teachers are participating in in-service sessions this week.

When school bells ring in Springfield Monday, most students will have already received their student handbooks, class schedules, and have had opportunities to get acquainted with their teachers, classrooms and curriculum.

The first two weeks of school will be four-days, Monday through Thursday. There will be no classes conducted on Friday, August 25, nor Friday, Sept. 1. That will allow students in agricultural education and 4-H to participate in Livestock Encampment and Shows, and a four-day Labor Day weekend.