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Local children 'excited' to return to school after Christmas break

By Tara Fasol, The Southern

Tuesday, January 6, 2009 8:48 AM CST

CARBONDALE - A case of the Mondays never made it around to Thomas Elementary School students. On the first day back from Christmas break, they returned ready for reading, writing and recess.

"I was excited," three students said in unison about returning from a two-week holiday break.

Jamari Brown, 8, and fellow second-graders Bard McMillian and Rainier Spears, both 7, were all smiles as they explained their Monday-morning routine on the first day back.

"I have a new chores list, so I have to make my bed and empty my trash," Brown said.

Dancing around in her pink Hannah Montana sweater, she talked about the Wii video game she got for Christmas and the part of break that had her missing school the most.

"I thought we were going to get candy and presents from our teacher," she said. "Over Christmas break, I called my teacher. She gave me her number and I called her before Christmas. I missed her."

Teacher Paula Irvin said her cell rang several times with Brown on the other end.

"I love getting the phone calls from my students," she said. "I still have kids I taught a long time ago that are in high school who will call me and talk."

Irvin said the break gives students a chance to get away from school work, which increases their enthusiasm upon return.

"You can tell the week before break they are starting to get anxious," she said. "Two weeks is a good time period. It gives them a chance to get away, but if you wait much longer, you run the risk of them not retaining what you have taught them. I just enjoy getting back and getting them ready for third grade."

tara.fasol@thesouthern.com / 351-5824

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