PEMBROKE PARK, Fla. – While most South Florida children still have less than two weeks left of summer break, some students went back to school on Wednesday, the first day for year-round schools in Broward County.
"I really want to have fun and learn lots about different stuff," Jahnay Smith, who is starting third grade, said.
Lake Forest Elementary School students in Pembroke Park got big hugs on the first day of school from the big man on campus.
"I'm glad to be here today," Broward County Public Schools superintendent Robert Runcie said. "(I'm) glad to see the young folks coming back."
Lake Forest Elementary is one of Broward county's four, year-round modified calendar schools, which means a slightly shorter summer break.
Runcie dropped by Watkins Elementary School in Pembroke Park, as well.
He said this year's goal is to keep making gains on student achievement and getting more children reading on grade level.
The student to computer ratio is down from 6-1 to 2-1.
"Learning should be year-round, 24/7, even when school's out. We're trying to promote great learning opportunities for our kids," Runcie said.
And even on the first day of school, some students' thoughts were already on the last day of the school.
"I never want to leave here, but we have to," Jahnay said.