INDIANAPOLIS — The first day of school for several districts across central Indiana is in the books. Those districts include Brownsburg, Anderson, Avon, Clark-Pleasant, Greenfield-Central, Greenwood, Noblesville, Wayne Township and Perry Township.
13News visited schools in Brownsburg as teachers welcomed students back to class and the sun set on summer break. The sun has now risen over Brownsburg for a new school year.
"We've done a lot. I think they were ready to back to school," said Bobbi Fischer.
"Excited. Just really can't wait to have the students back in the classroom," said the principal of Cardinal Elementary School in Brownsburg, Marc Gianfagna.
"I visited a few principals yesterday afternoon and they said I just can't wait for the babies to get here. I just can't wait for the kids to be here," said Vicki Nieman Murphy, director of communications for Brownsburg Schools.
It was a case of the Mondays for Bobbi Fischer's kids, heading into third and kindergarten.
"They didn't wake up until 7:15 and normally they get up a lot later in the summer," Fischer said.
They're among 12,000 students and staff in Brownsburg, with around 300 students moving into the district each year.
The district has a campus feel, with elementary, middle and high schools all within two square miles, allowing the students to grow together.
"It's awesome to be on the same campus because everybody's super close. Actually, we lived a couple miles away and still went to this school, and it's great that when we moved here, we can walk now," Fischer said.
It also helps with teacher vacancies during a time when hiring can be difficult statewide.
"Actually, we're fully staffed with buses and with teachers and staff this year," Nieman Murphy said.
The district; however, is always looking to hire.
The first day of school brought many emotions. 13News saw tears, hugs and even moral support.
"This is a stuffy that our daughter has had since she was six months old. So, he came with her on the first day of school for kindergarten," Fischer said.
Brownsburg Community Schools wants families to know that it will get easier.
"The most important thing for us is to get to know the kids because we know that the students will succeed when they have relationships with our staff and with our faculty. They'll find their person within our schools that make them feel safe, and we'll make sure that they feel safe and get ready to learn and have a good time doing it," Nieman Murphy said.
The first day of school for Indianapolis Public Schools and Washington Township is Thursday, Aug. 1.
