For most elementary, middle, and high school students in Union County, Monday was the start of the 2012-2013 school year and principals throughout the county reported the day and the year have gotten off to a good start.
Students arrived Monday morning by bus and by family car to find school staff waiting to welcome and assist them, sometimes opening car doors for them. Older student usually entered school by themselves while younger children were often walked into the school by their parents.
Inside, the hallways were alive with activity as teachers, guidance counselors, and principals directed students and parents to classrooms and/or the school’s office for any additional assistance they might require. Once in class, the school day got underway in earnest with teachers introducing themselves and the subjects they would be teaching to the students they will be teaching for the rest of the school year.
Union County has seven public schools and one private school, and the school’s principals reported a smooth start to the school year with students enthusiastically embracing the opportunity to learn offered by the classroom and their teachers with equal enthusiasm looking forward to helping them learn.
“This was the smoothest opening,” Monarch Elementary School Principal Anita Maness said Monday morning. “It was just like we’d been here all year. The students were already working at 7:45. The year is getting off to a good start and that’s what we’re expecting.”
Foster Park Elementary School Principal Barbara Palmer said there a positive atmosphere at her school Monday morning with both student and staff happy to be there.
“The children came in excited and ready to go with another wonderful year,” Palmer said. “I saw lots of smiling faces on staff and students. The students came in with a lot of excitement and ready to learn.”
Lockhart School Principal Betsy Trakas also spoke of how smoothly things went Monday morning and the enthusiasm of both staff and students.
“We’ve had a very smooth beginning day,” Trakas said. “The teachers and students have both come back with a lot of enthusiasm. We are looking forward to a great year.”
Sims Middle School Principal Mickey Connolly said the school year has gotten off to a great start at his school as well.
“We have had a fantastic start today at Sims Middle,” Connolly said. “The students are eager to start school and we are ready for a successful year ahead.”
Jonesville Elementary/Middle School Principal Renee Pryor said the first day of school at her school was not like a first day at all.
“It’s been an outstanding start to the new school year,” Pryor said. “It’s not like the first day of school, it’s the same as the middle of the school year last year. It couldn’t be better. Everyone was so excited to begin. We have the best children. Our teachers said they were so excited about the beginning of the school year.”
Buffalo Elementary School Principal Melissa Inman said the first day of school had went well at Buffalo Elementary.
“It was probably one of the best ever,” Inman said. “We’ve had breakfast and lunch and we plan to get them home safely this afternoon.”
Inman reminded parents of children who ride the bus to and from school to allow for extra time for the bus schedules, especially during the first days of school. She also urged motorists to drive carefully and be extra aware of school buses and the children who will be getting on and off of them.
Union Christian Day School Superintendent Roger Estes said the day went well, adding that this year marks the school’s 10th anniversary.
“We’ve had a wonderful first day,” Estes said. “Our first through twelfth grades began class today. Our K-3 through K-5 begins Thursday. We have a lot of new students this year and several additional staff members. We’re looking forward to this year, this is our tenth year as the Union Christian Day School.”
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