So long, summer break! School starts Monday in Newton County [Video]

COVINGTON, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – The calendar still says July, but the summer break is over for some 18,000 school children who live in Newton County, about 35 miles east of Atlanta.

Monday marks the first day of the new school year for Newton County Schools.

“I cried all the way out to school,” said Courtney Scott whose daughter Noryn started pre-kindergarten. “She’s doing great. She was like, ‘Bye, have a great day,’ and I’m just boo-hooing.”

Some returning students and families said having nine full weeks for a summer break is just right. Others disagree, especially middle and high school students.

“It was very short,” said seventh grade student Gregory Smith. “I’m not really excited about summer being over.”

Click here to see when other metro Atlanta school districts begin classes.

Newton County Schools announced recently that all students in the district will receive free breakfast and lunchthis year thanks to a federal …