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The word of the day was “excitement” at Pelham Oaks Elementary School as students departed from the car rider lines and rows of school buses on the first day of school on Monday, Aug. 8. (For the Reporter/Nicole Knight,Pelham City Schools)

By DONALD MOTTERN | Staff Writer

PELHAM – The word of the day was “excitement” at Pelham Oaks Elementary School as students departed from the car rider lines and rows of school buses on the first day of school on Thursday, Aug. 8.

For many students, it was back to business as usual after the fun of the summer break, as they approached the familiar faces and embraced the welcoming arms of their teachers. For the kindergartners, the morning marked the opening hours of their journey through Pelham City Schools.

“It was wonderful to welcome all of our students back for the first day,” said Floyd Collins, assistant superintendent of Pelham City Schools. “Seeing so many smiling faces brought great joy to our faculty and staff members who have been apart from their students.”

As the droves of energetic students poured into the halls of the school with smiles as big as their new bookbags, the teachers of Pelham Oaks spent their time ensuring that the organized chaos of the first day of school all went to plan. Bolstering that effort were appearances from some of Pelham City Schools public officials, including Superintendent Dr. Chuck Ledbetter who walked the halls with the students and talked with the students about the upcoming year ahead.

“Today everybody was just so excited to be here,” Pelham Oaks Elementary School Principal Chase Holden said. “The teachers, students and the parents I saw coming in through the carpool have all just been excited that school is back in session. As far as the students go, they have all settled in well. Everyone is happy to be here and happy to get back into the routine.”

For their first day, students were helped along with the care of teachers and issued specially crafted badges that displayed their teacher’s name and grade level—ensuring that every student knew where to go and how to find their way.

“We were able to get everyone in here and get started pretty quickly this morning,” Holden said. “We were able to get everyone inside, get everyone in place and get them started on their first day.”

According the Holden, the first day of school at Pelham Oaks is entirely dedicated to the focus of ensuring that every child is comfortable with their surroundings and aware of the daily routines.

“That is what the first couple of days are always about,” Holden said. “We want to make sure that, above everything else, everyone who comes in feels welcome and appreciated.”

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