Harbour Landing school gets students settled in with ‘Bring your Backpack’

The first day of school can be hectic.

That’s why Ecole Harbour Landing Elementary School is hosting what it’s calling “Bring your Backpack,” a series of events spread over four evenings designed to help students get the Day 1 jitters out of the way.

“It’s an opportunity for our students and their families to come into the school, to get a chance to find out who their teacher is and to meet their teacher, to see their classroom and to drop off all of those supplies that they may need for those first few days of school prior to the first day of school,” said Monique Bowes, the school’s vice-principal.

“In terms of that transition for students coming in on that first day as well, it sort of eases those nerves.”

Other schools in Regina and the surrounding area are holding what are often called “backpack drops.”

Bowes told The Greg Morgan Morning Show on Tuesday that the event can help reduce crowding in the hallways on the first day of school, as many parents will want to accompany their kids.

The Harbour Landing school is staging four of the nights for students of various ages.

Students in grades 5 to 8 were invited on Monday, one group of kindergarten students and kids in grades 3 and 4 were to participate Tuesday, the second group of kindergarten children and French immersion students are to visit on Wednesday, and kids in grades 1 and 2 are to attend Thursday.

All four evenings will feature a low-stress environment.

“(There will be) fewer students (and) fewer families, (so each event will be) a little bit more low-key (with) a little less pressure,” Bowes said.