Parent Teacher Magazine Union County Public Schools Sept/Oct 2017 | Page 5

Back to School: Year-round schools kick off first day of the new school year
On July 20, approximately 3,000 students
flooded the hallways at Shiloh, Walter Bickett,
Benton Heights and East elementary schools as
well as Wolfe School as they returned for the first
day of classes in our year-round schools.
Standing in the hallway with his class, East
Elementary fifth-grade student Abraham Gonzalez
said he was excited to start the school year and
see his friends. Among the things he looks forward
to the most this year, he said, is working on math.
East Elementary fifth-grade student Allison
Carranza said she’s also excited about the school
year but is a bit nervous about entering her last
year at the elementary school.
“I’m nervous about going to middle school
next year,” she said, adding that she’ll miss her
former teachers. “But I’m looking forward to going
to art class this year.”
As is the norm on the first
day of school, many of the
students spent their morning
getting to know their teachers
and going over class rules,
expectations and procedures.
The hallways were buzzing
as teachers gave the students
a tour of the school, showing
them the cafeteria and other
areas they will visit frequently
throughout the year. Before
long, the students were actively
engaged in learning.
Walking down the hallway,
East Elementary teacher Sherria
Burney said that while she
certainly has academic goals for
her students, she also
hopes to see them grow socially
East Elementary teacher Sherria
and emotionally during the
Burney said that while she
school year.
“I hope they learn to become certainly has academic goals
for her students, she also hopes
more independent and reach
to see them grow socially and
their own personal goals by the emotionally during the school
end of the year,” she said. “I
year.
want them to learn but I want
them to have fun doing it. And I want them to look forward to
coming to school and be intrinsically motivated to learn and
grow.”
By the end of the day, East Elementary Principal Camilla
Brothers simply described the first day of school as “amazing.”
“The children got out of the cars and off the buses with
their backpacks so eager to learn,” she said. “As I visited the
classrooms, it was impressive to see all the children actively
engaged in their learning. We, the East Elementary family, will be
soaring to excellence this year.”
—This article was provided by the Union County Public Schools
Communications Office.
On July 20, approximately 3,000 students flooded the hallways
at Shiloh, Walter E. Bickett, Benton Heights and East elementary
schools as well as Wolfe School as they returned for the first day of
year-round school.
Parent Teacher Magazine • Sept/Oct 2017 • 3