Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, September 8, 1994 TAG: 9409080068
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
She had reason to be anxious Wednesday. She might have felt more pressure than anyone in the school system, except Superintendent Wayne Harris.
Stuart was a new principal at a newly renovated school, Morningside Elementary, with many new teachers. And there were many new children in preschool and kindergarten classes.
She also had the task of reuniting about 300 students who attended other schools last year while Morningside was closed for a $2.2-million renovation.
In past years, Stuart had been the principal on opening days at three other schools - Fallon Park, Round Hill and Forest Park elementary schools.
She arrived at Morningside more than an hour before the children. She had everything planned - even the seating arrangements in the cafeteria.
``You always wonder if you have prepared adequately. You mentally walk yourself through it,'' Stuart said.
About 12,750 students attended Roanoke's 27 schools on opening day. The opening was smooth, said Richard Kelley, assistant superintendent for operations.
Harris, the superintendent, toured Morningside and several other schools Wednesday. He plans to visit all schools in the next few days.
``I am happy with the mood in the schools. I like what I'm seeing and hearing,'' Harris said. ``We have so many dedicated people in the school system.''
Salem and Roanoke County began classes 10 days ago because they were eligible to open before Labor Day.
At Morningside in Southeast Roanoke, the only unplanned events were the tearful partings as some parents left their children with kindergarten teachers.
And they weren't really unexpected for Stuart and the teachers.
``We didn't plan this, but you can always count on some children to cry and cling to their parents,'' said one veteran teacher.
Robert St. Clair, a kindergartner, did not want to leave his father. He cried when his father, Tony, left. But his teacher, Kim Haldeman, quickly got his attention with a puzzle, and the tears stopped.
Another kindergartner, Brittany Doss, did not want to stay at school, either. Her parents tried to comfort her for a few minutes before they left her with teacher Ann Avery.
Most of the Morningside students were happy to be back at the school, which looks more attractive than it did when they left more than a year ago.
Teachers met the buses and put tags on the small children to make sure they went to the right classroom and got on the right bus at the end of the school day.
Kari Wyatt, a second-grader, said she was happy to be there. She had a nice summer, but she wanted to get back to school.
The teachers also felt the anxiety of a new school year and a new group of students.
Pearl Stifler, a first-grade teacher, had everything in place for her students. As she waited for them to arrive, she felt a little anxiety. She has taught for 10 years, but this is her first year at Morningside.
Bus driver Patricia Hunter started her 20th year of transporting children. Waiting for children to get off at Morningside, Hunter said she never tires of the job, particularly the small children.
``They are the ones that steal your heart,'' Hunter said.
By 9:30, all the Morningside children were in the right rooms, and the halls were quiet as on a normal day.
``This is the smoothest opening I have ever seen. All of that planning paid off,'' said Carolyn Boley, a music teacher.
At other schools, officials reported no problems, said Kelley.
At James Madison Middle School, students were upbeat about being back. A few students complained, but they were outnumbered.
``The summer went by too fast, but I will like the change,'' said Ryan Burnett, who is in the seventh grade. ``My favorite classes are English and language arts.''
Madison Principal Philip Jepson said the children seemed to have a lot of enthusiasm for opening day. Madison has 520 students.
``I like the change. Summer was OK, but I like the classes, and I look forward to another year,'' said David Altice, a seventh-grader.
by CNB