MERRILL - The first day of school is always a big change. That was especially true in Merrill.

Last year, the school system had to save money. They redrew budget lines and shut down Pine River Elementary School.

"We were very close to Pine River and the staff and everyone involved there," said Lisa Duginski, whose daughter and son attended Pine River.


"I probably will always think that Pine River is a little better than all of the schools that I will go to," said Duginski's third grader daughter, Lauren. "But Washington is going to be really - it's going to be really hard to compare, because they're both so good. "

Lauren is one of about sixty students who made the transition from Pine River Elementary to Washington Elementary.

"[The] first day of school is all about process, procedures, routines, and we're trying to get all of the kids into that, even the kids who were here last year are in a new classroom, new grade, so we're trying to set the standard for all the kids and set those expectations. So far, it's been very positive," said Washington's principal, Paul Klippel.

Many of the students visited the school before their first day. Lauren's mother also helped with the transition.

"We just talked about generally how things change in life and sometimes whether you agree with it or not, you have to roll with the flow," she said.

"I was kind of nervous, but I love it. It's very nice here," Lauren said.

Washington has about twice the number of students than Pine River. But for kindergarten through third grade, class sizes are about the same.

Story By: Lex Gray