LIVE TV

© 2025 WGCU News

PBS and NPR for Southwest Florida

LIVE TV

Donate

Play Live Radio

Next Up:

0:00

0:00

0:00 0:00

Available On Air Stations

Start of Kindergarten Frazzling for Families

NPR

By Claudio Sanchez

Published September 7, 2004 at 12:00 AM EDT

The start of classes brings its own stresses for 5-year-old Sam Marsenison.

With Sam at his side, Paul Marsenison listens intently during an orientation session for new parents at Virginia Shuman Young Elementary.

Sam Marsenison is 5 and poised to start kindergarten. His parents are just as anxious as he is. The first day of school promises to bring great excitement, joy and anxiety to families across the country. In Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., classes began a couple of weeks ago. NPR's Claudio Sanchez and producer Anne Hawke followed Sam and his family in their countdown to kindergarten.

Copyright 2022 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.

Tags

Claudio Sanchez

See stories by Claudio Sanchez

More from WGCU

Environment

What to expect from North Fort Myers eagles after 2024 tragedy? F15 and M23 starting out great

Michael Braun

Nobody knew what to expect this year from F15 and M23, the breeding pair of eagles in North Fort Myers. The 2024-2025 breeding season nearly ended in total disaster. The two eaglets that the raptors produced contracted avian flu and died shortly into their young lives. The two adult eagles also fell ill, but survived. All this was watched with dread and anticipation last year via the Southwest Florida Eagle Cam website. This popular daily drama has been livestreaming an intimate view of the North Fort Myers eagle’s nest since 2012.
Environment

Introduction to Feathers and Fall Molt in Birds

Dr. Jerry Jackson

Molt is defined as the routine loss and replacement of feathers. It can occur at any time of year, but in most birds a complete molt occurs in late summer and fall and a partial molt may occur in early spring.The timing of each molt is important. In late summer and fall, there is generally an abundance of insects, seeds, and fruit that provides the energy for molt. This molt provides birds with fresh plumage and often colors and patterns that help conceal it in winter environments.
Hurricane Recovery

Disaster and insurance costs are rising; The middle class is struggling to hang on; Southwest Florida is one ground zero

Michael Copley

Middle-class families are struggling to afford insurance in southwest Florida. Realtors say a wave of foreclosures could be coming.

Human Interest

Coast Guard rescues eight from disabled boat off Venice

WGCU Staff

A U.S. Coast Guard boat crew rescued eight boaters Saturday after their 26-foot vessel became disabled in the Gulf about 35 miles west of Venice.The boaters and vessel were brought back to a Venice Inlet boat ramp with no reported injuries.
Environment

North Fort Myers eagle pair now have second egg confirmed; Hatch watch has officially started

Michael Braun

An eagle nest in north Lee County that millions have watched over the years is again drawing attention. The breeding pair of American bald eagles in the North Fort Myers nest successfully continued their family this week. One egg was confirmed Wednesday and a second Saturday night at the Bayshore Road nest of F23 and M15.
Human Interest

Swamp buggy racing: ‘Rat On’ driver reflects on a unique Naples tradition

Janine Zeitlin

For father and son, Roger and Scotty McCandless, swamp buggy racing in Naples, Florida, is a family tradition. Local historians say the unique sport is among the oldest traditions in the Gulf coast town of Naples. The first races were held in 1949.