St. Anthony students began gathering on the school’s playground around 7:30 a.m. Parents were able to drop their kids off and get first day pictures. It also let students to meet up with their friends outside before going to class.

St. Anthony Elementary Principal Karen Schulte said this year 245 students in preschool through 6th grade are attending St. Anthony’s. Around 30 of the kids are enrolled in the pre-school.

Enrollment overall was a little higher than last year with a larger kindergarten class.

Schulte’s day started by greeting the returning kids and helping new students figure out where to go. She said the school held an open house last week for the new students. Part of the goal was to introduce students before class began.

St. Paul’s preschool teacher Kelly Schauland welcomes a student in for their first day. Photo by Dan Olson.

“We’re making sure kids make a connection,” Schulte said. “We want the new kids to find someone they know and can talk to.”

At 8 a.m. St. Anthony Librarian, Amy Gieseke, rang the first bell of the school year to bring the students inside.

Gieseke said it was a good start to the year. She had been worried it would rain during opening day drop off, but everything went smoothly.

“Everyone had smiles on their faces,” Gieseke said.

The entire school gathered for a quick assemble to introduce new students and staff. New staff included paraprofessional Paulette Kral, food service director Nate Struffert and food service worker Kim Schlumpberger.

St. Anthony Elementary 6th Grade Teacher Janelle Kopacek welcomes student back to school on Tuesday. Kopacek said after 25 years of teaching, the first day of school is still exciting.

Schulte also introduced the “virtue of the week” program. Each week of the school year, the students will be given a new virtuous theme. This week’s theme is “Amazing.”

The plan is to have the themes progress alphabetically.

At St. Paul’s, not all parents left after dropping off their kids. Opening up the day was chapel at 8:10 a.m., which was open for parents and other community members to attend. Pastor Nate Scharf delivered the sermon, looking to share blessings with the students.

“The wonderful blessing of getting to hear the gospel every day,” he said. “That our sins are forgiven in Jesus, and God has a plan for our lives. We work together, Teachers, parents, students, pastors, staff, ministers all in this work of holding on to God’s word.”

Scharf said it is a high privilege to share God’s word and to grow in it with the students.

Pastor Nate Scharf leads the opening day sermon. Photo by Dan Olson.

This year’s message across the Lutheran schools is Partners in the Gospel. Principal Pete Markgraf said the theme speaks to how important it is to recognize others.

“We should be thankful for one another,” he said. “Encourage, pray, and help out one another. That’s not only built into the Bible, but it’s being a good citizen of the city and the state. Participating in a way everything is growing and progressing.”

Principal Pete Markgraf said plenty of work went into opening day. More lockers were added and paraprofessionals were hired, while all teachers from last year were retained. He said besides one thing, opening day went off without a hitch.

“First thing I heard this morning was ‘I don’t think the air conditioning is working upstairs.'” Markgraf said. “We had almost 50 years of no air conditioning in this building, but with our addition, we were able to put it in. For the last four years, we’ve had air conditioning to start the school year, and we get used to it.”

With the first behind them, Markgraf said he is excited to bring the 316 enrolled students a fantastic school year.