The summer flew by, and now it's back to school for children in Sumter County.

A new law from the governor's office allowed schools to start Aug. 10 this year, and Sumter County Schools Superintendent Rick Shirley said he chose the earliest day available to give students more time to prepare for testing later this year.

"We have more academic preparation time before the standardized testing that, of course, Florida seems to be embroiled in controversy about," Shirley said. "But we do try to prepare our kids as best we can and give them every opportunity for success."

Three Sumer County schools will be able to take part in a grand-funded after-school program this year called STEAM.

STEM — which focuses on science, technology, engineering and math — is popular. But STEAM adds arts into the mix.

"It's curriculum-based learning, project-based learning," said Eileen Goodson, principal at Webster Elementary School. "It will be more hands-on techie kind of fun stuff, so we're excited about that. (It's) a new opportunity for us."

Webster Elementary School is one of the three schools to feature the new program. Applications are due Aug. 12.

Shirley said one challenge he has noticed this year has been hiring enough teachers. The problem isn't just in Central Florida, he said.

"It is becoming very much of a challenge to fill teaching positions throughout the state," Shirley said. "We"ve really had to work and that and do a good job of recruiting teachers and trying to retain our staff."

As of last week, Sumter County only had a few openings remaining, but other Central Florida school districts have had more than 100 openings to fill.

District officials also point out the importance of safety now that school is underway.

Motorists are urged to be extra careful driving as students walk to school and buses hit the roadways.