Tears, Hugs Mark 1st Day of School

Ryan Joslin wiped his tears and hugged his parents one last time as kindergarten teacher Stacey Bless started roll call.

Steps outside the classroom, Ryan’s mother, Rosemary Joslin, fought back her own tears at Big Springs School in Simi Valley.

“I’m really sad,” she said. “It’s not easy.”

Despite a few tears for first-timers and the buzz of nerves for returning students, public school campuses across Ventura County smoothly welcomed thousands of students back to classes Tuesday.

Although some districts have already started classes, schools in Simi Valley, Oxnard, Port Hueneme, Ventura, Santa Paula, Thousand Oaks, Newbury Park and Oak Park return for the fall session this week.

Eight more school districts will start next week.

“When the kids come back,” said Dennis Rast, principal at Simi Valley High School, “that’s what makes it worthwhile.”

Once classes got going Tuesday, the anxiety subsided and the learning began. Even Ryan’s tears seemed to evaporate as he shot his hand up when his new teacher asked what the class wanted to learn this year.

“I want to learn how to build with blocks,” Ryan said.

Nearby, Bridgit Smith said goodbye to daughter Taylor Susim, 5, but hung around a few more minutes to watch the opening activities through a window. Excited to return for her first-grade year at Big Springs Elementary School, Taylor awoke at 6 a.m. to get dressed, Smith said.

Although Smith has been through the first day of school before, she said it’s always bittersweet. This year, Taylor was more eager to let go than her mom.

“She was, like, ‘Go, mom, goodbye. Don’t kiss me,’ ” Smith said. “For me, [Taylor] is my life.”

After all the parents had left, fifth-grade teacher Tracie Mavis explained the rules and played name games.

The youngsters also sat attentively as Mavis explained “Mavis money,” fake dollars that students earn by getting to class on time and doing good work. They “spend” the money to go to the bathroom during class or to “buy” pencils, papers and other supplies from Mavis’ mini-store.

“The first week is to make them feel welcome,” Mavis said. “It’s hard to learn if you’re not happy.”

By recess, fifth-grader Ria Davis had already decided how she felt about her new teacher.

“I really like her,” Ria said. “She’s really understanding.”

That was a relief for Ria, who recently moved to Southern California from Washington state. Ria spent Monday night laying out her clothes and thinking about the day ahead.

“I was, like, ‘I can’t wait. I wonder what it’s going to be like,’ ” Ria said while on a 20-minute recess.

Across the county in Oxnard, youngsters at Tierra Vista Elementary School attempted to squeeze a few extra minutes into summer as they played tetherball and tag before the start of classes. When the bell rang, they grabbed their new backpacks and lined up for class.

Nine-year-old Erika Elfstrom chatted with classmates and pulled out her pencils as she settled in to her new fourth-grade room.

“After being gone all summer, it’s good to be back,” Erika said. “My friends are here and they comfort me. School’s really fun.”

At Santa Susana High School in Simi Valley, history teacher Gene Hatton outlined two basic class rules: Respect everyone and don’t disturb other people’s learning.

“You go out and perform--be Chris Rock,” said Hatton to students attending the magnet school for arts and technology. “But here in the classroom, no put-downs.”

Yadira Magana, 14, giggled in her seat as she jotted down notes. Yadira said she is feeling more relaxed this year.

“I found all my classes. I’m not shy anymore,” Yadira said. “I’m a sophomore.”

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Hamm is a Times Community News reporter and Gorman is a Times staff writer.