HAMPTON — “Eye of the Tiger” and “Uptown Funk” blasted from speakers as teachers danced in front of a balloon archway at Mary T. Christian Elementary. School board members stood along the walkway, shaking pom-poms as students arrived for the first day of school.
Monday was the first day for several divisions, including Hampton, Newport News, Virginia Beach and Portsmouth. At Christian Elementary, the first day was party time. Five-year-old Londyn Tate, rocking a “First Day of Kindergarten” shirt and a smile that would win anyone over, said she was excited to meet her teacher and make new friends.
Londyn’s dad, Laquan, was a little nervous as his first baby headed into the building. Mom, Vijie, knew Londyn would be fine.
“She’s a social butterfly,” she said. “She always goes above and beyond.”
Parents took pictures of their children in front of the “First day of school” sign, the kids sporting fresh highlights in their hair, rainbow tutus and superhero backpacks. One dad pumped his fists to the music, three kids in tow.
“Thank you! Thank you!” he shouted.
Principal Lynette Nelms, in a hot pink pantsuit, greeted students as they hopped off the bus. This is her third year leading Christian Elementary and her 30th in education.
“We are setting the tone,” Nelms said about the party atmosphere. “The way we end the school year is the way we’re going to start it.”
The first day of school for many started hours earlier. At Hampton’s transportation lot, bus drivers started streaming in at 5:15 a.m., well before the sun came up. Lights flashed, backup alarms sounded and squeaks and hisses filled the lot as the drivers completed their daily pre-trip inspections.
Darrin Wills, director of transportation, said the drivers started the school year earlier than students, conducting multiple “dry runs” to perfect their routes.
On Monday, following a yearslong tradition, Hampton leadership — including Superintendent Raymond Haynes, Board Chair Richard Mason and various senior staff — lined up to cheer the drivers as they left for their first pickups. Haynes, who has worked to strengthen ties with the city and community, said he was also happy to have city council members and Hampton police representatives sending off the drivers in style, waving #1 foam fingers and ringing cowbells.
As the sun began peeking, turning the sky purple and then peach, Mason said he came to the lot for the same reason he visits the schools on the first day. He wants everyone to feel supported, from the staff to the students to the parents. He remembers driving behind the school bus on his son’s first day of kindergarten and feeling welcomed and supported by the division.
He wants parents to know: “You’re bringing your best to us and so we want to return your best to you better than they came to us — a little more knowledge, a little more excitement about school.”
Nour Habib, nour.habib@virginiamedia.com
