Students in Marshall County Get Rousing Welcome Back
Shelley Hanson Trending
GLEN DALE -- Fifth grader Levi Bierkortte appeared to be so excited about the first day of school that he sprinted into his Glen Dale Elementary School on Tuesday morning.
And students at Sand Hill Elementary School were greeted at their new modular building that will be their temporary place of learning until their new school is constructed next door during the next 18 months.
At Glen Dale, Bierkortte and other children who attend the school were cheered on, by members of the Glen Dale United Methodist Church who were holding signs with messages of encouragement outside of the building.
The school is located just behind the church and annually helps the students with a food pantry and other programs.
While waiting for the students to arrive early Tuesday, the Rev. Jonathan Moon, pastor of Glen Dale United Methodist Church, explained that this was the second year for the parishioners to help welcome back the students. Moon noted last year was his first leading the church and it was his son JJ's first year attending the school. JJ is in first grade this school year.
Moon said most of the students enjoy the welcome back, while others are a little shy about it. He said the first year they did it the students' reactions were "awesome."
"Some of the kids you could see got really shy and got these big smiles on their faces. Other kids got a little extra straight stepping. They were like, 'yeah this is me. I'm doing great,'" Moon said.
"For other kids, it kind of released the tension as they came out of their vehicles and they said goodbye to their parents. It was a different feel instead of a silent walk to the school.
"To have people cheering them on, you could just see them come alive. So many of the kids loved it. It changed how they came back to school."
On Tuesday, the school's Dragon mascot joined in on the fun and offered high-fives to the incoming students. Most of the teachers were inside the building to greet students and help them reach their correct classrooms.
Glen Dale Principal Kimberly Cain said the church helps the school year-round by providing pantry items to students during the summer months. She noted parishioners also provided the teachers with lunch on Wednesday.
"They're the best," she said of the church members.
Cain added the staff is looking forward to a great year and is excited to be back.
"We have an excellent staff at Glen Dale. We just all pull together and help each other, and make it the best place and safe place for our kids to learn," Cain said. "We try to keep everything positive and upbeat for our kids."
Meanwhile, students at Sand Hill Elementary School entered into a whole new building for their first day of school for the 2023-24 year. It is a large modular building that contains classrooms, restrooms and offices. It will be used by students and staff until the new school is constructed next door. The old school must be razed first and the new, larger school will be built on site.
Stepping inside the modular, one would never guess the structure was a temporary one. It had all the hallmarks of a regular school.
The modular does not contain a kitchen or cafeteria so Sand Hill students will eat their lunch daily at a community center located about 5 miles away. They will ride the bus there each day.
"The temporary building now provides us with a safe and secure facility for our students as we transition to our new school," said Sand Hill Elementary Principal Krenna Allender.
"We are so incredibly grateful for all the work that has gone into this. It has been an incredible effort by so many. We are blessed with an amazing Sand Hill Elementary faculty, Marshall County Schools team of employees, and supportive community members who joined together to make this happen for students. It's going to be a great year."