If you've ever lived in New York City, you understand what people mean when they say it has a completely different feel when school is in session. Traffic patterns change, the subways are much more crowded during rush hour, and getting a slice of pizza at lunchtime in some neighborhoods becomes tricky, as students flood the streets to avoid the healthy choices offered by the school cafeteria. The first day is always exciting, and for the first time in years I was able to accompany my kids for the big occasion.

So here is a rundown of some of the first day coverage. Why so much attention to NYC schools? With 1.1 million kids, the school system is larger than Chicago and Los Angeles combined. Approximately 1 in every 47 public school kids in America attends a NYC public school. Moving 1.1 million kids from point A to point B on the first day becomes a significant event.

Part of the Daily News' coverage of the first day of school focused on the newly-opened South Bronx Classical Charter School, although students started classes there on Aug. 23.

NY Times follows the first day here, focusing on the widely-respected Judi Aronson's first day as a "network leader" in the city's move toward decentralizing power to the school level. NY Post is here. Daily News is here. The NY Sun's coverage is here - note how the Sun has taken to calling demands for smaller class sizes attempts "to add more teachers to the union's ranks."