By GRAHAM BROOKS / Staff Writer

HELENA–Excitement, smiles and some nerves were on display the morning of Aug. 9 as students at Helena Elementary and Helena Intermediate School made their way back into the hallways to begin the 2016-17 academic year.

Teachers and administrators used the majority of the day to introduce themselves and ensure that the day went smoothly for students.

Helena Intermediate School Principal Kathy Paiml has been an educator since 1996 and said the first day of school at HIS went according to plan and everyone had a great day.

“We had the best start to our school year yet,” said Paiml. “We have grown to over 945 students, but you would never know it. The teachers and students spent the day getting to know each other and learning the routines and expectations. It was great to see all the smiling faces back in the building. I missed those hugs and smiles each morning.”

Over at Helena Elementary School, many kindergartners were starting school for the first time and teachers and administrators helped students learn where to be and made them feel comfortable in a new environment.

Helena Elementary School Principal Mary Cooper has been the principal at HES since 2001 and said many HES parent volunteers helped get students to the right classrooms and overall the day was a success.

“We had a fabulous day,” said Cooper. “Our teachers were fully prepared to welcome their new students into inviting, student-center classrooms that are designed to foster early childhood learning experiences. Thanks to our numerous HES parent volunteers, we were able to get all of our new students safely into the building and to the correct classroom. It was a day filled with developing a sense of community as well as establishing high expectations and routines that will help us maximize time on learning throughout the school year. The support for education from the Helena community helps us do our best work for our boys and girls and it’s going to be another great year.”

For more information or to learn important dates within the Shelby County School District, visit Shelbyed.k12.al.us.