By Brenna Angel
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wuky/local-wuky-917935.mp3
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Thousands of students across Fayette County and in other central Kentucky school districts were back in the classroom Wednesday for the start of a new school year. Superintendent Stu Silberman has worked in education for 37 years, but says he still gets excited on the first day of school.
"Kids in classrooms, teachers teaching on the first bell. As you can see our floors are shining, just a great feeling to have a new year starting."
Silberman spent much of the day visiting schools around Lexington.
For kindergartners at Dixie Elementary, the first day was spent learning what means to be in school. Some students were wide-eyed with excitement; others had eyes filled with tears during their first big day away from mom and dad. Dixie Principal Tara Isaacs offers this advice to parents.
"I think it's good to ask open-ended questions, things that don't lead to yes-no's, but maybe tell me a little bit about what happened in your special area classes. Can you tell me a little bit about your favorite thing that happened in school?"
School officials say Fayette County will continue to build on student achievement and work to accelerate learning for students who fall in an achievement gap.