Students—and Parents—Itchin' for School

Mary Gleason, 11, and Torii Eberle, 7, will both return to just after Labor Day, Mary with memories of great times on the lake tubing, and Torri replaying the memory of his hockey goal as a St. Louis Park mite.

Mary and Torii are just two of the many students who will be starting a new school year tomorrow, as St. Louis Park public schools open their doors.

“I look forward to success in school,” said Torii, with a smile of confidence. But his 13-year-old brother has all the luck, he said.

“He’s going to Hollywood,” Torii said.

Well, close, explained mother Andi Eberle.

“As part of an American Experiences class at , he’ll be going to Washington, D.C. and south to visit monuments to Dr. Martin Luther King,” she said.

Mack Nevells, 15, enjoyed summer days relaxing on the couch, he said.

“But I’m paying for it now that cross country practice has started,” he added.

Still, no one could call this BSM Red Knight soft. He ran 10 miles last Monday, just for starters. 

Mack’s sister, Kylie, who starts Sept. 6 at Our Lady of Grace, is “really excited for middle school.” Kylie found her passion this summer, saying that babysitting as a helper for Our Lady’s Summer Care program was nearly as fun as riding the Tidal Wave at Valley Fair.

Mr. and Mrs. Nevells, like nearly every parent interviewed, said, with the end of camps and summer programs, kids were a bit stir crazy and ready for a return to routines.

“Being spontaneous is only fun for so long,” said Kathleen Nevells. She added, diplomatically, “I think they’re ready to spend more time with school friends and less with each other.”

“That’s true,” said Mack, with a big-brother grin.