Students head back to class this morning

It's the most wonderful day of the year for parents, although one that might cause a few jitters for students. Today is the first day of school for all area school boards.

That includes the Rainbow District School Board, the Sudbury Catholic District School Board, le Conseil scolaire catholique du Nouvel-Ontario and le Conseil scolaire public du Grand Nord de l’Ontario.

There will be no early dismissal on the first day.

A press release from the Rainbow board said that according to official predicted enrolment for the start of the 2015-2016 school year, the board will welcome 13,440 students this year.

In the elementary panel, enrolment will total 8,407 students including 5,848 in the English Program and 2,559 in the French Immersion Program.

In the secondary panel, enrolment is expected to reach 5,033 students including 4,400 in the English Program and 633 in the French Immersion Program.

Enrolment is calculated as full-time equivalents.

This fall, 1,518 children are expected to be enrolled in Kindergarten in Rainbow Schools, a full-day program for four and five-year-olds.

A total of 1,021 students have registered for Grade 9 classes in area Rainbow Schools.

Official enrolment data will be available at the end of October.

Another local school board, le Conseil scolaire catholique du Nouvel-Ontario (CSCNO), said in its own press release it expects some 6,900 students in its 37 schools.

Whereas about 5,200 students are registered in its 27 elementary schools, close to 1,700 students will pursue their studies in its 10 secondary schools.

“We are always excited to see our new and returning students,” said Lyse-Anne Papineau, CSCNO director of education, in a press release. “With the support of our staff, parents and partners, we are committed to offering a quality French language catholic education to all of our students.”