Yellow buses hit the roads again

KENMORE, N.Y. (WIVB) - Now that the unofficial end of summer has passed us by, it's time to see those yellow buses hit the road again.

Ken Ton isn't the only district starting up Tuesday. Maryvale, Williamsville, Clarence, Alden, Amherst and Niagara Falls are just some of the school districts that started back Tuesday. So be aware, those big yellow buses are out again.

Parents no longer have to hear "I'm bored." Thousands of students across western New York are making their way back to school Tuesday.

The doors opened at Kenmore West High School bright and early as students were welcomed back to the classroom.

"I love the first day of school, I get to see all my friends, I get to go back and see my locker again, it's an exciting time," said Emma Schwab, Kenmore West Junior.

Even teachers are excited to start a new school year.

"We I think get just as excited as the students, I know I had butterflies this morning I got up at 4:00," said teacher Mike Meetze.

Meetze has been teaching here at the high school for 11 years and loves the first day back.

Meetze said, "It's just exciting because you have the whole year of the students last year and now you get a fresh take on the students."

While students were off enjoying the summer, The Ken-Ton School District was busy upgrading technology.

Ken Ton Superintendent Mark Mondanaro said, "Middle school students will notice they have new computers for the first time in a number of years. This is part of our technology plan and our staff worked hard all summer long to bring in new computers to our middle schools."

Despite the troubled economy, the district was still able to move ahead with some vital advancements to the classrooms.

Mondanaro said, "We're fortunate enough to have a community that supports our budgets and we're moving in the right direction."

Students at the Charter School for Applied Technologies on Kenmore Avenue in North Buffalo have been in school for two weeks now.

New York's largest charter school is one of several with a 191-day school year, adding about three years of schooling over a student's academic career.

The Buffalo School District starts Wednesday. Superintendent Dr. James Williams will be live on Wake Up Wednesday morning. We'll also hear from a child expert, who talks about making your child's school year a successful one. Everything from eating to bullying will be addressed Wednesday morning on Wake Up.