By MOLLY DAVIDSON / Staff Writer

NORTH SHELBY—The year is off to a smooth start at Oak Mountain Elementary School. The school opened its doors to students and welcomed a fresh class of kindergarteners on Aug. 12.

“We’ve had a great, smooth day,” OMES Principal Debbie Horton said.

Students spent the first day of school learning about their peers and their teachers through games and projects. By the afternoon, Sara Askew’s second grade class was already busy at work getting to know each other.

“We did a really neat interactive game,” Askew said, explaining students took turns rolling dice and then sharing a fun fact. “They all got to share a little bit.”

Jennifer Northrup’s third graders strengthened team-building skills by working together to construct towers out of marshmallows and spaghetti noodles, while Sydney Lyn Howard’s third grade class got acquainted through fun, math-related facts.

“I love watching the smiles and the sparkle in their eyes,” Askew said of the first day of school, noting the excitement of teachers and students alike. “It’s just the excitement in the air, just that overwhelming feeling of excitement.”

Although the first day of school is exciting and fun, it can also be nerve-wracking.

First grade teacher Kimberly Hall helped her students combat the first day jitters with “jitter juice,” a mixture of fruit punch, ginger ale and “a little magic,” Hall explained with a laugh.

Hall’s students spent the morning helping each other “get rid of their jitters” and forming friendships.

“They all start looking at each other and sharing how they feel with each other,” Hall said. “It’s about building our community and meeting new friends. They’re really getting to know each other… It gets the year off to a great start.”

OMES Bluebird Ambassadors were also available to lend their peers a helping hand with anything from finding a classroom to navigating the halls.

“They’re just a huge help,” Horton said of the specially selected third grade students.

While Aug. 12 was the first day for students, OMES teachers have spent weeks hard at work organizing classrooms, meeting in groups and preparing to kick off the year as a Leader In Me school.

“That first work day after the Fourth of July up to Meet the Teacher (on Aug. 11), they’re in here,” Horton said. “I’m amazed at the time spent and how passionate the teachers have become about (becoming a Leader In Me school)… I can’t wait to see what the boys and girls take away from this year.”