by Angie Heckman
news@thenewsleaders.com
Sauk Rapids-Rice schools held open house for the upcoming school year Sept 2. Times varied by school building. Students met with teachers, unpacked supplies and reunited with friends they haven’t seen during the summer. Parents shared in the excitement of the beginning of the school year. School began Sept. 8.

Sauk Rapids-Rice High School sophomore Alyssa Handeland jokes with her siblings as she unpacks her supplies into her locker. Alyssa is looking forward to the swim season this school year. She is joined at open house by her mom Karen and siblings fifth-grader Savanna and second-grader Clayton.

Sauk Rapids-Rice High school open house was a busy night for families. In addition to reviewing schedules, finding lockers and meeting teachers, the students had their portrait taken for the yearbook and school IDs. Sophomore Madison Lammersen and freshman Cameron Lammersen are completing their picture forms to get theirs taken. They are joined by their mom, Heidi Ramler and brother Carter Scheuer, who will start fourth grade at Mississippi Heights.

Sauk Rapids-Rice High School ninth-grader Elizabeth Engebretson waits for her schedule to begin the open house process. She said she is looking forward to “everything” about high school. She attended open house with her father, Mitch.

Rice Elementary pre-K student Ethan Guches is so excited to show his school supplies to his teacher. Joy Eggert presented him with a glow stick to wish him a fantastic school year. Eggert will begin her 17th year teaching in the Sauk Rapids-Rice School District.

The Marketon family visited with second-grade teacher, Leanne Skudlarek at the Rice Elementary open house. This will be Skudlarek’s first year teaching in Rice. Pictured from left to right are: Skudlarek, Brooke, 3, Bryon, second-grader Aubrey and Julie Marketon. Aubrey is excited for the school year to be starting and says that art is her favorite subject.