TODAY'S TOPIC: What happened on your first day back at school?

On my first day of school, I felt nervous and excited because I was excited to see my friends since I hadn't seen them in a long time. I was nervous because I didn't know what teacher I was going to get. When my fourth grade teacher said I was going to Ms. Delaney, I was shocked. When I arrived in her class, she wasn't there so I waited until she came. When she came, she was wearing a red shirt with polka dots and a skirt. I learned that since I'm in the fifth grade, it's a good time to change myself and start new goals. Ms. Delaney is a kind, fun and helpful teacher. I wouldn't ask for a better teacher. She gave us homework and one of them is to write to the Daily News. My first day of school was the best and I wouldn't ask for a better one.
Emely Coreas, 10
Oxnard Street Elementary
North Hollywood

My first day back at school after summer vacation was so outrageously exciting. I learned some gorgeous new words! My class and I read a tremendously incredible book called "Donavan's Word Jar" that inspired me to collect my own jar of words. I got to learn how to sketch my portrait. That was brilliant! I had amazing, exciting homework. My new third grade teacher, Mrs. Ashley, is a dazzling, terrific and cheerful teacher. My new, generous, marvelous and kind classmates are really smart! They are so smart that they could be like Albert Einstein. I met new, interesting friends. My new friends are my glorious Mrs. Ashley and my new stunning classmates. This class has two special class bears named George and Becky. I took Becky home once when I went to Big Bear and I hope one day I get to take George home. My classmates and I might become journalists. I hope all of us get to be journalists. I think this is going to be a fantastic school year!
Calista Wiebe, 8
Castaic Elementary
Castaic

The first day of school, I felt shy and scared. I learned rounding and some multiplication facts. My teacher is funny, nice and strict.
Diego Astorga, 8
Fernangeles Elementary
Sun Valley

My first day back at school was so much fun. I was so excited and happy. I had a math sheet for homework and it was fun. My teacher, Mrs. Schoengarth, is wonderful. My classroom is full of colors and we have twelve fish.
Tiffany Delfin, 8
Sacred Heart School
Lancaster

My classroom is very big and cool. It has lots of color. I was a little nervous when I first got inside. For the first day of school, for homework, we had reading and math facts. My teachers are really funny. My teacher likes color.
Hannah Marin, 8
Sacred Heart School
Lancaster

My first day back at school was a phenomenal first day. We learned the meaning of the Pledge of Allegiance. Mrs. Ashley read us a book called "Donavan's Word Jar." Donavan inspired me to be a word collector. I also love the words that he collected in his word jar. On our first day, we voted for a class name. It was between the Patriot Stars and the Soldier Stars. We voted democratically and the Patriot Stars got the majority. I learned how to write poetry. We wrote a "Who Am I?" poem that we had to rhyme. I also learned what Mrs. Ashley's M.E.A.N. means. It means: Making Excellence A Necessity. Why yes, I had homework on the first day. My teacher is a wonderful teacher.
Ashley DiMonte, 8
Castaic Elementary
Castaic

My first day of school was fun because my teacher, Ms. Delaney, is a fun teacher. She makes us smile a lot. At first, I was nervous but I got over it because Ms. Delaney was talking about her family and she was saying funny things. We learned strategies, how to make impossible things possible and that Ms. Delaney knows how to kick box. Yes, we did have homework. Our homework was the Daily News. My teacher was nice to us.
Lourdes Rivas, 9
Oxnard Street Elementary
North Hollywood

I was shy, scared and nervous on the first day of school. I learned that it doesn't matter what color or shape or size you are, you can still be friends. My teacher can be funny, happy, crazy and angry.
Tanya Cabrera, 8
Fernangeles Elementary
Sun Valley

I was excited a lot for the first day of school. I learned more about mathematics. We browsed through the fifth grade Open Court book. I had fun on the first day of fifth grade. I learned more about how nice our teacher can be.
Danny Avetisyan, 9
Oxnard Street Elementary
North Hollywood

I was happy that I had a new class. I had fun at my new classroom. I made a friend. He is from Iraq. We only got one homework. I have a new teacher. She is very nice.
Vanis Melkonyan, 11
Oxnard Street Elementary
North Hollywood

My first day back to school after summer vacation was phenomenal! We read "Donavan's Word Jar." It's about a boy named Donavan who creates his own word jar to collect words in. He doesn't know what to do when his word jar is filled but then he discovers that he can just give them away and the words help people change their attitudes. We also met our class bears, Becky and George. They go home with us on the weekend. We made our new class flag out of construction paper. We earn a letter, whenever all students complete their homework, that will spell out Star Celebration. We already earned an S and a T. When we earn all the letters, we will earn a Ballyhoo. On the first day of school, we had an easy page of homework. Our teacher's name is Mrs. Ashley and she's a phenomenal teacher!
Hannah Stillson, 8
Castaic Elementary
Castaic

COMING UP: What books do you like to read for fun? If you have a favorite book, tell us what it is and why you like it. Do you like picture books, non-fiction or fiction? Some people like to keep a list of all the books, with the author's name, that they read during one year. Do you keep a list of the books you read for fun? Do you have a library card? If so, what types of books do you check out to read at home? Draw a picture of yourself reading a book.

Parents and teachers should make sure that the student's name, address, age and school are CLEARLY PRINTED on the letters and the backs of drawings.

Pictures should be drawn using black or dark blue ink on white, unlined paper. Drawings must be no larger than a standard, 8 1/2-by-11-inch sheet of paper.

The deadline is Sept. 23 and letters will be posted Sept. 30. Letters received after the deadline cannot be considered.

Send entries to Kids' Daily News, Daily News Features Department, P.O. Box 4200, Woodland Hills, CA 91365-4200.