Not every student plays hopscotch with the premier of Ontario on the first day of school.
But that's what students at Woodcrest Public School did before heading to their new classrooms Wednesday morning.
Premier Kathleen Wynne rode the bus to the city school, played some jump rope, hopscotch and even tried out her hula hoop skills before heading inside to hand out snacks and read a story to the senior kindergarten class.
Lakehead Public Schools director of education Cathi Siemieniuk said the start of every new school year is an exciting time, but the premier's visit only added to it this year.
Siemieniuk visits a school every year on the first day and she said there was a wonder in the air.
"Of course there's that trepidation in the air from some students, but students are looking forward to reconnecting with friends and making new friends and finding out who their teacher is," she said.
Story continues after video ...
This is the first year for full-time kindergarten in all of the board's schools and classrooms will have new technology to use with the nearly $3 million investment the board made in Wi-Fi, laptops and other electronic devices.
"We're very excited about this school year," said Siemieniuk.
Val Bodak was ready for her first day as principal at Woodcrest.
As a principal, the first day of school is about meeting the children and being visible.
"The day is about making sure everybody feels comfortable. There's new teachers, new experiences, new classrooms," she said.
Bodak was also impressed with how Wynne engaged with the students.
"They didn't know much about her before she came, but I know they were very keen to find out about her," she said.
For Jackson Kibzey, meeting the premier on his first day of Grade 5 was a unique experience.
"She's just so important and it feels cool that someone so cool and important is coming to our school," he said, adding he was also excited to return to school to see his friends and teachers.
But he admitted he wanted it to be summer still.
"I kind of wish I was at home, too, eating french fries and gummy bears," he said.
