KINGWOOD — “Good morning, good morning, welcome back. Day one!”
Kingwood Elementary Dean of Students Duane Frund’s cheery voice greeted students as they arrived for class. Preston County grades first through 12th had their first day of school Thursday.
“This is what we live for,” Kingwood Elementary Principal Jill Zeigler said, referring to school teachers and staff.
“I would be willing to bet that very few of us were able to get a good night’s sleep. Because although you’re exhausted from trying to get ready, you’re so excited and you can’t wait to see the kids. And they come in and they’re all in their brand new school clothes and they have new haircuts, and they’re excited about meeting their new teachers and seeing who’s in their classroom. It’s just very exciting.”
Zeigler is in her ninth year as the school’s principal. Nancy Farrell, starting her 25th year as a teacher’s aide, agreed it’s an exciting day.
“We meet lots of new kids. They look forward to showing us their new clothes and their back packs, and they want to spend a lot of time with us,” said Farrell. “I enjoy the kids. I really do.”
In a small town, the opening of school is an important date on everyone’s calendar. Kingwood Mayor Jean Guillot has greeted students at Kingwood Elementary on the first day for a few years.
“The chief’s here and the board of education’s here, so we just greet the kids and welcome them back for a new school year,” Mayor Guillot said. Kingwood Police Chief Charlie Haney and Preston Sheriff’s Deputy Sgt. G.A. Sinclair were indeed there, and not just to make sure traffic rules were followed. Being in the schools make them more approachable, they said.
Board of Education Member Jeff Zigray, a retired teacher whose wife teaches at Kingwood Elementary, also was also on hand to greet students.
Zigray said he enjoys, “seeing the kids come back, seeing the smiles on their faces. A lot of them want to get back into the start of learning again … seeing the kids, hearing what they did over the summer. A lot of them have some great stories.”
As a board member, he also keeps an eye on how the school levy voters passed in February is affecting those smiling faces. Kingwood Elementary may be warm now, but new air conditioning units bought with levy dollars are on order, he noted.
And like all board members, he reiterated their intention to make levy spending transparent. Parents will receive a new publication, “The Beat of Excellence,” that lists expenditures, among other information. Parents who receive multiple copies are asked to share them.
Kindergarten and pre-k students start classes Monday. About 4,300 students total are expected countywide in pre-k through 12th grades. Preston School Superintendent Steve Wotring said the central staff went out to schools Thursday morning to answer any questions that arose.
“It really was smooth sailing,” he said.
