Schools
School Officials Face Hectic First Day of School
While students face those first-day jitters, officials are working hard to make sure everything runs smoothly.
For most, the hustle and bustle of the first day of school is finished by the time the first bell rings. But for principals and secretaries the madness has only just begun.
By 11 a.m., the chatter of children echoes down a corridor from the cafeteria at Riverdale Elementary School. Principal Cheryl Hughes is on lunch duty. Her expression is calm, but she speaks quickly, like someone who has had too much coffee, or has been dealing with the stresses of a school that holds over 700 students.
“Things went very smooth this morning,” she says -- this, while keeping a vigilant eye on the students snacking at the tables in the next room.
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To facilitate a smoother morning and the impending chaos of dismissal this afternoon, Hughes has taken some precautions. She created maps for parents, clearly marked with pickup and drop-off points, to stave off any potential traffic problems. She also assigned teachers to various spots around the school to ensure the the children find their way.
Meanwhile, in the main office of University Park Elementary, the decibel levels are pushing into the red.
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“Mouths moving, phones ringing. First day of school, dear Lord!” a mailman says to a secretary as she shifts between the phone and guests. Droves of last minute enrollers show up, as parents confused by bus routes and schedule changes also bombard the office.
A Spanish translator is helping a Latino couple with enrollment problems, while in another corner of the room a physical education teacher explains safety patrol duties to students.
By 12 p.m., Templeton Elementary School is a little calmer.
Principal Ebony L. Harrington has only been on the job for ten days, compelled to prepare for today in a hurry.
“I’ve called in a team to help with scheduling” says Harrington, also dealing with a new Pre-K schedule that has been whittled down to a half day. Harrington says it was a challenge to fit everything needed into just a few hours.
Meanwhile, a secretary says it will probably be like this all week -- indeed, a far cry from being saved by the next bell.