filled with new friends and new expectations

By Julie Finley

The Natchez Democrat

After a day jam-packed with coloring, rules, recess, building tours and lunch the kindergartners in Margaret Owens’ Ferriday Lower Elementary class settled down for story time.

And though the pictures and story in the book were about raccoons, the message was really about the students themselves.

&uot;If ever you get lonesome for me just think about this heart on your hand,&uot; Owens read from &uot;The Kissing Hand,&uot; a story about baby raccoons who have to leave their mother. In the story the children kiss their mother’s hand before leaving her so she can hold it to her heart all day and feel their presence.

&uot;When you get lonesome for mom what are you going to tell her?,&uot; Owens asked the students. &uot;To kiss you on the hand.&uot;

There was even enough time before the school buses came for each of Owens’ students to make a construction paper hand with a heart kiss on it.

&uot;We are in kindergarten now,&uot; Owens said to the fidgeting little ones. &uot;Now we are big boys and girls, right?&uot;

And of course a chorus of yeses followed.

&uot;I like kindergarten,&uot; six-year-old Cornelius Jefferson said. &uot;I like Ms. Owens and I like recess.&uot;

Owens said the first day had gone as smoothly as could be expected.

&uot;It’s different,&uot; she said. &uot;It’s a whole new group of kids to get used to, but I believe we are going to have a great year.&uot;

Next door the main event was making sure everyone ended up on the right bus, but some were more concerned with talking about coming back to kindergarten.

&uot;I like reading and learning,&uot; Maya Francois, 5, said. &uot;We sat on the carpet and talked about rules. There is no hitting and no kicking.&uot;

Zabreon Russ, 5, said she knew she was going to love kindergarten.

&uot;I like playing with books,&uot; she said. &uot;Books are good for you to learn. You can learn your numbers and stuff.&uot;

Across town the students at Ferriday Junior High School were almost as excited about their coming year.

&uot;They said we get to dissect frogs in science,&uot; Jessica Harris, 12, said. &uot;I liked everything about school today.&uot;

Eighth-grader Brittany Wade, 14, said she was ready to get to work and was excited about being the oldest grade on campus.

&uot;We are the big bodies,&uot; she said. &uot;We set the example.&uot;