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Whether it was a child’s first day on a school bus or a pre-teen’s first day working a combination lock, while some things stay the same, others must change. The smiles, the tears, the nerves and the hugs are perhaps the things that will always remain as the new school year begins.

However there are also some changes this year at Marco Island’s two schools, Marco Island Charter Middle School and Tommie Barfield Elementary.

One of the changes in school rules may also be a relatively recent change in school culture.

Haley Vince, 7, walked up to Tommie Barfield Elementary’s front doors with sister Chloe, 5, mom Beverly and grandmother Wyona Hall. Haley’s mom struggled to get her seven-year-old daughter to set down a cell phone as they walked toward the school.

A new school policy says cellular phones and electronic devices may not be carried around in school. Students at Charter Middle School must lock their cell phones in their lockers.

“Our kids are a texting generation ... We want them to be focused on learning. It’s difficult enough to keep their attention,” said Cathy Callahan, the charter school’s coordinator of curriculum and staff.

Birthdays aren’t going to be celebrated the same way at Tommie Barfield Elementary. The new rule, no birthday cake or sweets.

Tommie Barfield Elementary Principal Jory Westberry said only fruits and vegetables would be allowed for in-school birthday celebrations.

Along with cell phones, backpacks must also be kept in lockers at the middle school level and only a “sac pac,” a small light cloth bag that fits one notebook and a couple pens can be brought to each class.

“Many of our children were not using their lockers and were carrying an excessive amount of weight on their backs. It’s not good for their physical development,” Callahan said.

As children walked into their school Wednesday morning, many said they weren’t too disappointed about starting a day late due to Tropical Storm Fay.

“I was actually kind of glad. I think they should have actually gave us an extra day. We still don’t have electricity. We had to stay away from home so the kids don’t have half of their stuff today,” Hall said.

The principal, staff and teachers at both schools said they are excited for this school year.

Westberry said she looked forward to meeting all her students the first day.

Charter Middle School staff also had their full attention on the students.

“Last year we were focused on getting the new school building ready. This year the focus is on the student’s safety and providing a happy atmosphere while they are in school,” Callahan said.

School traffic laws and sharing the road

Throughout the school year, officials wish to remind parents of some traffic safety tips. One of them is to stay in line when picking up and dropping off their children in front of the school.

“Sometimes parents are in a hurry. They enter the loop, drop of their child and pullout before the car in front of them ... They cut someone off when students may be crossing. It’s a very dangerous situation,” Callahan said.

The general rule is to take turns and wait while the car in front is safely letting their children out and to stay in line following the cars in front around the loop when entering and exiting whether for pick up or drop off.

An unwritten traffic rule seems to be in place at intersections surrounding both Marco Island Charter Middle School and Tommie Barfield Elementary on Trinidad Avenue. While there is a one-way stop on Cushing Lane, cars headed west toward the school on Bermuda Road have the right of way, but still seem to come to a complete stop every other car, politely allowing Cushing traffic to have the right of way.

A universal traffic law for drivers to remember is that when a school bus stops to board children or let them out, traffic in both directions must come to a complete stop. The only exception is when there is a raised median in the road, traffic heading in the opposite direction of the bus may proceed without stopping. Even in these situations it is wise to be cautious and aware of children possibly running toward or away from the bus.

Classes begin at Tommie Barfield Elementary at 8:25 a.m. and end at 2:50 p.m.

Marco Island Charter Middle School runs from 7:45 a.m. to 3 p.m. with classes beginning at 8 a.m.

Marco Island Charter Middle School’s new phone number is 377-3200. Tommie Barfield remains 377-8500.