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Schools

Swampscott Parents Ready Their Kids For School

Paul and Kelly Bilodeau and Monica Lagerquist weigh in on getting their kids back into school for the 2011-12 school year.

Paul and Kelly Bilodeau have a lot in common with Monica and Eric Lagerquist.

Both families moved into their homes in Swampscott in the last 3-4 years, and both families have a child heading into the first grade at .

The Bilodeau’s also have a daughter, Morgan, who will be heading back to the Ocean Breeze Pre-School at the on Forest Avenue. This will be Morgan’s third year at Ocean Breeze, but this fall she’ll be going for a full day instead of a half a day.

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“One of the big adjustments will be the time,” Kelly said. “Carter’s been getting up at 8:30 this summer and Morgan’s been getting up at 9:30.”

Four year-old Morgan’s school day will begin at 8:45 at Ocean Breeze and Carter has to be in his seat at Stanley School at 8:15. Carter will be 7 when school starts next week.

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Carter gets excited for school because his birthday is Aug. 27, so he knows when back to school plans are coming together he’s got a birthday coming up.

Paul is a photographer with the Eagle-Tribune and Kelly is a freelance writer, the Bilodeau’s moved to town when Morgan was a baby.

“I’ll still be heading off to work in the morning, and Kelly will have some free time to write while the kids are in school,” Paul said.

“The kids are definitely excited, they want to see who’s in their class,” Kelly said.

“Staples has put together a box with all the school supplies the kids need, so that’s a big help to get everything the kids need for school at once,” Paul said.

Morgan is excited to get back to pre-school so she can start taking her Creative Movement classes and begin painting again. Carter is looking forward to getting back to school to do some drawing and work with Lego’s.

Carter’s best buddy Andrew Lagerquist lives across the street from him on Muriel Road, and he’s heading into the first grade at Stanley School, too. Six-year old Andrew is a little nervous about the new school year, but very excited to see some of his friends.

“It’s a little change, but not too much,” Monica Lagerquist said. “It’s been a fun summer, but it’s bittersweet with the summer ending and getting back on a structured schedule.

“As soon as he (Andrew) sees his friends he’s going to be just fine,” Monica said.

“It’s been a great summer, a lot of fun bonfires, time at the beach with friends, but now it’s time to go back to school,” Paul said from his home on Muriel Road.

One of the things ahead for both families is homework. Carter and Andrew will both be taking home a few more projects to work on now that they’re in the first grade.

“I’m excited the kids are going back, but I think Kelly’s a little bit more excited than me, she’s going to have the house to herself for a few hours,” Paul said.

The school doors in town open in less than a week.

Andrew and Carter hit the backyard play set at the Lagerquist’s house after the interview and photo session to squeeze out a few more hours of summer fun before opening day at Stanley School.

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