LAKEWOOD — “Remember our school supplies, back in the day?” Bryan White asked his wife, Cassie, as they sorted through pencils, erasers, crayons and glue-sticks before the start of class at Lakewood Elementary Sept. 8.
Lakewood School District started school today, while Marysville and Arlington start Sept. 9. Kindergarteners start Monday, Sept. 14.
“There’s always a mad scramble of shopping,” he added. “They never have everything you need.”
Audrey White started fifth grade this year, while sister Caitlyn started second, but for both, it was their first day of school as Lakewood students.
“We went to Presidents Elementary in Arlington last year and loved it, but it was hard to travel in and out of town that much, so we gave Lakewood a shot,” Bryan White said.
Neither Bryan nor Cassie had any complaints about their first day at Lakewood. Audrey and Caitlyn agreed they were excited, but a bit nervous.
“I want to make new friends,” Audrey White said. “I also knew I had to know multiplication and division this year.”
Bryan White added: “Both the girls are very studious. I was never the best at homework, but they did a good job of reading and practicing. It helps that we don’t have cable.”
For Army Spc. Ben Struble and his family, this year marked their second first day of school at Lakewood Elementary. Struble has four children, one in each grade ranging from ECEAP to second, and he credited his experiences as an enlisted soldier with helping him “tremendously” in corralling his family.
“Are you a hundred percent good to go?” Struble asked his oldest child, Lucas, as he settled into his second-grade classroom.
Although shopping for school supplies is a challenge for Ben and his wife, Ally, he believes there’s a benefit in each child being able to immediately pass on their experiences to the next one down the line.
Julie Strittmatter, Lucas’ second-grade teacher, exchanged a brief hug with Ally before the start of class.
“We just want them to know it’s going to be a great year,” Strittmatter said. “A positive outlook really puts them at ease.”
As Ben and Ally Struble left the room, she encouraged Lucas, “Introduce yourself! Be strong! Be proud!”
