Even when he was a student in Fremont, Neb., Sioux City Community School District Superintendent Paul Gausman looked forward to the first day of class.
"To be honest, it had little to do with classes," he admitted. "It was all social and catching up with my friends after summer break."
The start of the school year is still exciting for Gausman since he takes it as an opportunity to personally greet some of the district's 2,000 employees and the more than 14,600 students.
"I can't personally say 'hi' to everybody," he said, "but it won't be for lack of trying."
Indeed, Gausman's Aug. 23rd schedule (the first day of class for the 2016-2017 school year) began by meeting with bus drivers in the district's "bus barn" by 6 a.m.
The day then proceeded to various school visits and wouldn't end until the last of the school activities ended at night.
"Oh, it's always crazy because we can easily be going 14-15 hours on the first day," Gausman said. "But it's also important to make your presence known."
This is because some students might be experiencing school for the first time.
"The first day of school is a rite of passage," Gausman said. "It can be really exciting or it can be a little scary."
To ease a student's anxiety, he recommended a good night sleep as well as a healthy breakfast.
Will this advice also work for anxious parents who are seeing their kids off as well?
"Probably," Gausman reasoned. "The start of the school year can be a bit traumatic for both students and their parents, I suppose."
Mostly, the start of the school year is a time to set goals and look forward.
"It doesn't matter if you're a student or a staff member, the first day of class is when you look at what you've already accomplished and see what still needs to be done," Gausman said.
In fact, he compares the first day of school to the day of the year.
"Most people only say 'Happy New Year' one day a year," Gausman said. "I'm fortunate enough to be to say it twice a year."
Reflecting on the many first days of school he's personally experienced, Gausman can't help but smile.
"The first day may be a social thing or it may be strictly academic," he said. "Either way, we will always remember the first day of school."
Sioux City School District Superintendent Paul Gausman is receiving a 2 percent raise, after getting no salary increase for the 2018-19 year.
