Chantel Ouellette opens packs of magnetic animal tiles Monday morning in her pre-K classroom at Washburn Elementary School in Auburn as she prepares for the first day of school Wednesday. (Russ Dillingham/Staff Photographer)

Excuse Lewiston Public Schools Superintendent Jake Langlais if he takes a moment to reflect before the start of the new school year.

“One of my favorite things to do is to look back at first day of school pictures,” Langlais said. “To reminisce over time. School is what you make of it, so make the most of it.”

That same sense of reflection comes easily to Susan Dorris, superintendent of the Auburn School Department.

“For me, those first days of school were always special, and that same sense of anticipation and possibility continues to inspire me as we welcome our students and staff back each fall,” Dorris said.

Students in Lewiston and Auburn will continue to make their own lasting memories Wednesday when the 2025-26 school year kicks off in the Twin Cities.

No major changes are planned for the new school year in classes, curriculum or policy. Both districts have taken steps to improve the communication between parents and teachers, using the broadcast tool called ReachMyTeach, which was tested throughout the summer.

“We believe this will improve communication for all and has more ability to adapt to different user preferences and platforms than what we had prior,” Langlais said. “Staff are being trained this week and we ask parents to make sure their contact information is up to date, including address and phone numbers. This will allow for accurate communications.”

Lewiston’s enrollment figures are within projections with approximately 6,000 students from K-12. Langlais noted that upper elementary numbers are “strong,” but there has not been a significant increase.

Incoming Washburn Elementary School Principal Mark Thibodeau, right, talks with first-grade teacher Olivia Duym on Monday in her Auburn classroom. They had just realized they knew each other from nearly a decade ago when he was a teacher at Tripp Middle School in Turner and she was an ed tech. (Russ Dillingham/Staff Photographer)

Dorris said she does not anticipate any growing pains during the school year.

“Enrollment has remained steady overall, with a slight increase in middle school and high school numbers,” she said. “Edward Little High School saw the greatest enrollment gain, with about 60 additional students compared to last year. Our buildings have sufficient capacity, and we do not anticipate any space concerns at this time.”

Auburn has added 18 new teachers throughout the system. Vacancies remain in special education, multilingual learner (MLL) services, and alternative education.

Mark Thibodeau will begin his first year as principal at Washburn Elementary School.

Staff turnover was less severe in Lewiston than in the past. Langlais said the district has hired approximately 60 new staff members.

“The numbers are healthier than they have been in past years,” Langlais said. “The efforts to attract and retain staff have contributed to this.”

Vacancies, however, remain with openings in elementary, special education, ed techs and behavioral health.

Excitement and optimism greet students at the start of a new school year. Dorris calls it a time for students to meet “new teachers, reconnecting with friends,” as they start a new year of learning.

The first day of school is a special occasion for students, teachers and staff, according to Langlais, that is not experienced anywhere else in the community.

“The first day of school is where all things anxious, anticipation, and being involved with something bigger than yourself come together,” Langlais said. “The energy that comes with students looking their best, with the best of intentions to have a great school year, with staff prepared and excited to build off the positive growth in our data from last year.

“There is a pulse or energy to it all. It is an energy that is undeniable.”

“We want to build days that a student feels like is the best day ever,” he added. “We want kids to get involved in all they can — join a club, do afterschool activities, look for student leadership opportunities, play sports, and continue to grow.”

The goals for both superintendents for the upcoming school year are similar — keeping students engaged for continued growth that leads to success in and out of the classroom.

“We just need to keep challenging ourselves, strive for greatness, and be what we set out to be when we got into the field of education,” Langlais said. “Our hearts are in this. Go Blue!”

“My expectation is that this year will be one of excellence, achievement, and pride for Auburn,” Dorris added. “The Red Eddies tradition reminds us that we are more than a school system — we are a community. With our staff’s commitment and the community’s support, our students will have every opportunity to succeed.”