(09/08/10) BLAUVELT - Yesterday marked the first day of classes at Cottage Lane Elementary School.

Five-hundred and forty fourth- and fifth-graders filed off of school buses into their classes, excited to see their friends. One thing none of these students will have to do this year is clean off the blackboard or bang out erasers because every classroom is equipped with an electronic Smart Board.

The board has all of the bells and whistles to hold students' attention in a time when computer games and the Internet serve as powerful distractions. Principal Brian Culot says in the two years these students spend here they are focused on more than just academia.

"Today for our welcome back assembly we'll be sharing the word of the month, which is 'kindness' with our students," he said.