LAKEVILLE — Fueled by excitement, anticipation and a few nerves, students began the school year Tuesday, Sept. 5 in the Freetown-Lakeville Regional School District.

“Our staff welcomed all students with enthusiasm and kindness, and with our buses running smoothly students were in their buildings quickly,’’ Superintendent of Schools Alan Straus said Tuesday.

He described the energy as “palpable’’ and said that “within minutes students were in classrooms and learning about what to expect and how much they will learn during the upcoming year.’’

Straus thanked “the custodians and maintenance staff throughout the district who worked so hard to ensure our buildings were ready for day 1, our food service staff who are so excited to serve our students and staff today, our administrators who spent the summer preparing for opening day and of course our incredible staff who continue to go above and beyond.’’

Particular attention has been focused on the opening at Assawompset Elementary School, because installation of doors and windows is ongoing.

Concerns had been raised by some in the community that a back-up plan should be in place should the building not be ready to welcome students.

No such plan had to be instituted. Buses rolled down Main Street and up the driveway at the school early Tuesday.

Assawompset “looks spectacular with all of the first floor classroom windows installed,’’ Straus said. 

The window and door installation project is scheduled to be completed by mid-October, with the potential of finishing prior to that scheduled timeframe, Strauss and Principal Bethany Pineault wrote in a newsletter to the school community.

Construction has moved to a night schedule. Work will begin at 4 p.m. and no students will be in the building when workers are on site.

Before-school programming will continue at Assawompset. After-school programming will move to Austin Intermediate School, with transportation provided.

Other changes include the cancellation of the annual Popsicles on the Playground, due to “safety and logistical concerns,’’ Strauss and Pineault wrote.

The annual open house, traditionally held in September, will be scheduled instead for middle to late October, they wrote. The date and time have not yet been determined, they said. 

New doors will be installed after the windows are completed.