The children were fine. It was the parents that seemed a bit on edge, not quite ready to let go.

It was the first day of school for Carrie Diekman’s kindergarten class at Olympic View Elementary School, as well as for all students in the Oak Harbor School District.

The positive attitude of the tiny five-year-olds in Diekman’s class speaks volumes for the preparations made by both Diekman and the kids’ parents. No tears here.

The first day of school Thursday followed an orientation evening Wednesday in Diekman’s classroom, to help ease the transition into school. The new kindergartners were able to visit the class the night before the big day, getting accustomed to their new teacher and their learning environment.

Diekman, a soft-spoken, gentle-natured woman in her fourth year of teaching, hurriedly attended to last-minute details in the moments before the school bell rang. Her new students and their parents gathered outside her door.

Diekman swooped through the play area, grabbing a toy cash register, putting it high on a shelf, out of reach, but more important out of sight.

“This was a big hit last night,” Diekman said of the popular toy. She didn’t want any distractions on the first day of school, when her biggest job would be to get the new little ones settled.

Karen Mechau, an instructional assistant assigned to Diekman’s class, helped attend to the final preparations. Mechau has been an assistant at Olympic View Elementary for the past 19 years.

“I remember when she used to come here,” Mechau said, referring to Diekman. “She still looks the same, only taller.”

Diekman was raised in Oak Harbor, attending Oak Harbor schools, where her mother was a teacher. Diekman’s first year of teaching was her mother’s last before retirement.

Diekman says now her students are beginning to include the children of people with whom she went to Oak Harbor High School.

Shortly before the ring of the bell, Diekman opened the door to her classroom. As the bell sounded, students, parents and siblings filed in. Thanks to Diekman’s organization, every child received a name tag, which parents pinned on their children’s shirts. Kids explored the room or found a seat at one of the foot-and-a-half tall tables.

Mothers and fathers stayed closed to their little ones, giving one or two extra kisses and hugs. This was the first step to letting go.

But the kids were more than ready for their new adventure. Gerardo Soto, 5, got up at 6 a.m., wanting to go to school, said his mother, Nidia Tenorio. The same was true for Veronica Skillin, 5, said her dad, Robby Skillin.

“She’s been ready for hours,” Skillin said.

But the parents weren’t so eager. Most stayed until Diekman issued a very gentle reminder that it was time the school day get underway.