The Syosset Central School District opened its 10 schools with an enrollment of 6,678 students on Sept. 7. Syosset High School had an especially large incoming freshman class of 573 students and the total opening enrollment was 2,074. Several elementary schools had opening-day enrollments large enough in some grades that additional classes were formed.

"This is going to be the best year ever," said Dr. Hankin. "That's because we are determined to make it so. We have a wonderfully supportive Board of Education and a community that puts the education of its children as its top priority. We have hired great new teachers and administrators and everything is in place for our students."

It's easy to spot the Syosset High School seniors on the first day of school. They are the ones with the confident smiles and warm greetings for one another. Friends met one another in the student lobby if they had free periods. Seniors Mary Arnett, Jason Altunis, Demetrios Tsapelas and Kate Cervone seemed relaxed and happy to be back and were looking forward to enjoying their senior status. Although they admitted that college applications were the next hurdle to cross, they know they will have the support and assistance to get through the process.

Throughout the district, kindergarten students were given tours of their buildings. Principals reported very few tears. There were certainly many excited kindergarteners at A.P. Willits, who were greeted by Dr. Hankin and Deputy Superintendent Dr. Jeffrey B. Streitman during their visit to the gym.

The annual "first day of school locker challenge" for sixth-graders was met and conquered at South Woods where some sixth-graders had brand new lockers in a newly opened corridor that linked the school's newest wing to the library hallway. There was a little trick to getting lockers opened, but once they tried it a few times, the students felt that they could put their lunches in the lockers and be able to get them out again at lunchtime. More new lockers at South Woods and at H.B. Thompson are scheduled for installation later this year.

"Every year the first day of school brings new excitement and new promises for all of us in the schools - both children and adults," said Dr. Hankin. "We've gotten off to a great start and look forward to many great times for our students this year."