‘Excited to get back’: Students return to Hampton schools

Kate Mohney waited patiently with excitement in the entryway of Central Elementary School in Hampton, waiting to see her daughter Madison walk out after her first day in the first grade.

“This is such a great school, and she was just excited to get back here and see her friends. Everyone remembered her and welcomed us. It was special,” said Kate.

The morning drop-off on Aug. 24 went better for Madison than it did for Mom.

“I cried the whole morning after I left her,” she said.

After a short time waiting in the lobby, the glass doors swung open and Madison walked out with her backpack and her pink water bottle. She smiled at her mother, and Kate gave Madison a big hug.

Kate had one more special treat for Madison.

“Grammy is in the car,” she told her daughter.

Madison’s eyes lit up and she reaffirmed what she just heard.

“Grammy?” she asked with joy.

And it wasn’t long until Madison wanted to get out to that car and see her grandmother.

The Mohneys’ story is one that many of us are familiar with, as the first day of school is special every year, for everyone. It’s even more special for the leaders and teachers who have the privilege of educating young learners.

“It’s the excitement of the teachers and the students. Everyone just waits for this day,” said Shanna Struble, a second-grade teacher at Central Elementary.

She has been teaching for 20 years, and over that time she has seen a significant change in the students.

“Well, I think kids now are a lot more traveled and knowledgeable about things because of all the technology that they are exposed to at such a young age. Plus things are a lot more available now than in years past,” she said.

She uses the first day as a time to make the students feel welcome.

“It’s not just the students, either. I feel like these parents are entrusting us with their children, and we need to make them feel safe and secure, as well,” said Struble.

After the first day, or perhaps the first week, things begin to settle down around school. Then teachers like Struble prepare for the first open house.

“Yeah, it’s exciting. I love that first time meeting the parents and seeing the joy in their eyes as they talk about their kids,” said Struble. “It’s not just about academics either. It’s about their mental well-being, also.”