FRISCO — Students kicked off the first day at Summit Middle School Monday with nervous smiles, wide eyes, new friends and excitement.

“We've been planning this for a month,” said Principal Joel Rivera. “It's all about the kids. It's fun seeing them happy and chatter-y.”

For Summit County's new sixth-grade class, the first day boasted of a new (to them) building, lockers (for the first time ever) and lots of new faces. And with approximately 200 incoming sixth graders from all area elementary schools, Monday was a huge stepping stone.

“It's a big year,” said Julie McCluskie, Summit School District's spokeswoman. “It's not the same level of transition from middle school to high school. There's 30-40 students from every elementary school, and it's their first time to be together.”

To help with some of the first-day jitters, Summit Middle School staff held orientations for the incoming students to meet teachers, practice opening lockers and to hang out with each other.

“Orientation is great way to get the butterflies out,” Rivera said. “They're going from little schools to one big school.”

Students nervous and excited

As SMS's new sixth graders filtered into the lunchroom Monday, there was plenty of excitement. Back-to-school outfits were crisply colorful, and a long line of students began queuing for hot lunch almost immediately. As students shuffled in, nervous faces would break into smiles as they found familiar faces.

Brian Curnutte, a sixth grader from Summit Cove Elementary School, was glad when lunchtime finally arrived. He said his favorite thing about the first day of school was having “a big choice of lunch” as he bit into his burger with a smile. Curnutte sat with a bunch of his friends from Summit Cove Monday.

Katelyn Keen was already a fan of her technology class, where she learned about computers, and Megan Andersen liked art because “we got to draw whatever we wanted today.”

According to sixth grader McCabe Kasch of Dillon Valley, the first day of school was fun “because it doesn't get boring. I love having a locker. It's so much fun.”

Other students said they were nervous Monday because it was hard to remember their locker combinations and class schedules.

Sixth grader Tyler Marshall said the first day was hard because “it's hard to remember what class you go to.”

Assistant Principal Amy Vanwel said Monday was mainly focused on orientation and organization of the new sixth-grade class, as well as reviewing expectations and class requirements for the older kids.

Rivera said he'd love to see all his students get involved in the school, whether its a sport or another activity.

“When the kids finish here, I want them to look back and think it was a great time and that they learned so much,” he said.

SDN reporter Caitlin Row can be reached at (970) 668-4633 or at crow@summitdaily.com.