Eugene 4J, Springfield embracing 'normalcy' of new school year

Back to school week continues with first day of school for Eugene School District 4J and Springfield Public Schools districts.

At Two Rivers Dos Ríos Elementary School in Springfield, students and parents gathered outside in the early morning before classes commenced. Students felt a mixture of excitement and nervousness in the return to classes.

Amie Shaddon's fifth-grade son was feeling especially anxious before going into school.

"He hasn't been to school since second grade, so this is all new to him," Shaddon said. "I'm excited for him to get in-class interaction with kids his own age. Being online did not do that for them … You definitely need it after being out so many years because of COVID."

Wednesday was the first day of school for elementary, sixth grade and high school in 4J and it was the first day for half of kindergarteners, elementary, and sixth and ninth grades at Springfield. In Bethel School District, the first days were Tuesday and Wednesday.

"I'm glad to see that things are finally starting to get back to some form of normalcy," said Justin Renecker, parent to a third-grader at Two Rivers Dos Ríos, "It's still kind of scary, but it's nice."

For the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic began in March 2020, parents and teachers are expecting a close to "normal" school year. Masks are no longer required, field trips are resuming and many other restrictions have been lifted in the school setting.

Parents, teachers and students are anticipating a year that resembles pre-pandemic norms.

"I'm also looking forward to starting the year off with just a really positive tone," said Sara Burgin, a fifth-grade teacher at Two Rivers Dos Ríos. "It was hard to be positive with our masks on. For little people to read your facial expressions, that made it very challenging … Last year was a big shock for some of our some of our kiddos."

Burgin said she feels much more confident this year compared to last year. The previous year taught her and other teachers what to expect while teaching during a pandemic.

Middle schoolers lead their peers into the new year

Some older students saw a return to classes Wednesday, including sixth graders at Jame Monroe Middle School in the 4J district.

Sun Saeteurn, principal at James Monroe Middle, agreed that last school year opened the eyes for educators that many students were not at the place they expected.

"Last year was, obviously for a lot of us, challenging just mentally, emotionally, socially," Saeteurn said. "I think this year it's going back to the basics."

Due to online learning, many students struggled with the foundations of learning. After a year back in-person for most, schools are able to adjust expectations and meet students where they're at.

At James Monroe, the first day of sixth grade began with orienting students in their new school.

Dozens of eighth graders signed up to be to be peer mentors for the younger students, part of the school group, WEB − Where Everyone Belongs. Although a longtime tradition in the district, WEB is one way the school supports its students in learning those basics.

Katie Dillon, an eighth grader at James Monroe who is in WEB, said she has enjoyed working with the younger students and hopes to continue guiding them throughout the year.

Dillon is excited to have some more normal experiences in her school life this year. She found it easier to make friends after masks were no longer required, and she hopes younger students will come out of their shells in a similar way.

"I think I'm just excited to see how the school year turns out and I'm hoping it'll be a good school year," Dillon said.

Miranda Cyr reports on education for The Register-Guard. You can contact her at mcyr@registerguard.com or find her on Twitter @mirandabcyr.

This article originally appeared on Register-Guard: Eugene, Springfield students welcomed back for 2022 school year