The first day of school, for Montesano and Elma school districts, was Wednesday, Aug. 31.

The light morning rain didn’t damper the smiles of parents and children alike, from what was observed at the Simpson Avenue Elementary School in Montesano. Hugs were given, pictures were taken and kids scampered off to find friends and classrooms.

All third grade classes in Montesano transitioned to the Simpson School over the summer. Principal Stephanie Klinger said the first day went well with just minor hiccups in the drop-off and pick-up of students.

“The first day of school was quite congested. We made a few adjustments, and by the third day of school things were a little smoother. There are some things that we are still working on, however,” Klinger said in an email.

She added the security of the third grade building required added security, and the plan is to install a fence in the near future. There are also plans to install a temporary bathroom as the students and staff must use bathrooms in the main building at present. Overall, though, said Klinger, the transition went well.

“It always feels so quiet during the summer months, but as soon as staff and students are back — it feels like a school again. I love seeing all the smiling faces,” Klinger said describing the first day of school as her favorite day.

Klinger said that for the rest of the year, the staff at Simpson had specific goals which included assessing students frequently on standards and adjusting instruction accordingly and communicating with families on student progress.

“The expectations that I have for every new school year are that students, staff and families will see consistent growth both academically, as well as socially and emotionally,” Klinger said.

Elma Middle School Principal Sunshine Perry said that both the middle school and high school transitioned to electronic registration, but that parent involvement had made the change easier than expected.

“By the time school started, we only had a handful of students that were not yet registered,” Perry said in an email. “It was a great accomplishment and we couldn’t be more thankful for how our community continues to support our efforts toward improvement.”

Other changes to the school include adding five new staff members and offering girls’ soccer as a fall sport. Elma Middle School students can now join the Elma Technology Student Association, a new club which allows students to explore different technologies, said Perry.

Perry said a highlight for the new school year will be a trip for middle and high school students to attend the presidential inauguration in January. A meeting for those interested is planned for Sept. 13 at 6:30 p.m. at the middle school library.

Elma Elementary School Principal Mark Keating said a new system, FastBridge, would be used for reading assessments this year at the school. Teachers had been trained in the new system over the summer, and FastBridge will eventually be used to assess student math skills as well.

Children are tested to see if they have reached certain benchmarks and then the instruction is tailored to suit each child.

“It’s really specific for each kiddo,” Keating said. Before school began last week, the elementary school welcomed parents to their open house, and the parents were supportive of the teachers, Keating said.

Keating added that kindergarten students spend the first few days learning how to be at school. They learn how to line up, sit in a desk, eat lunch and just be at school for a few hours. Parents, with a child at school for the first time, also learn how to entrust the school with their child.

“There is a certain level of trust,” Keating said. “The student gets used to school and the parent gets used to having the child at school.”

At Montesano High School, Principal Alec Pugh said they welcomed a new class of seventh graders and that the first day of school was great.

“We have high expectations for students every year and this one is no different,” Pugh said in an email. The incoming freshman and the current sophomores will have to meet core standards for credits established by the state and Smarter Balanced English language arts and math standards as graduation requirements. He also said the school added staff in English and digital arts.

Pugh said the fall sports programs were underway and that students and staff were excited to get the school year going.