By Kevin Collison
August 16 marked the first day of school for the Shawnee Mission School District Class of 2029.
In schools across the district, kindergartners became better acquainted with their teachers and classmates and celebrated the start of a year of learning.
Early indicators appear that kindergarten enrollment will be stable at about 2,050 students.
For her first day at Prairie School, where kindergarten enrollment jumped from 57 students last year to 67, teacher Cathy Frame introduced her new students to a pair of classroom critters, a Bearded Dragon Lizard and a hedgehog. The excited youngsters got to pet the stoic lizard and watch the shy hedgehog roam between them.
Merriam Park students were welcomed to their new school with a red carpet ceremony, according to school officials. Kindergartners were invited to get their picture taken on the red carpet by SM North photographers who stepped in to help for the special occasion.
Many schools across the district commemorated the first day with pictures, activities, and a chance for parents of kindergartners to get to know one another.