The 2018-2019 school year is now in full swing for students and teachers in Fulton County.
At one Fulton school in East Point, teachers weren’t the only ones welcoming their students back for the new year. Community members were there too.
Students at Hamilton E. Holmes Elementary School were greeted by members of local church Headland Heights and 100 Black Men of South Metro, a local organization focused on enhancing education and economic opportunities for black youth.
Credit: Bob Andres/AJC
Credit: Bob Andres/AJC
Reginald Collins, president of 100 Black Men of South Metro, explained the organization was invited out by Hamilton E. Holmes’ Principal Shateena Love.
“We want to see how we can help not only this school, but the whole cluster,” said Collins.
Collins went on to mention that his organization finds it important to show young students the many black professionals in their community.
For members of the Headland Heights Church, greeting students back on their first day of school is now a tradition. According to Pat Boutte, spokesperson for the volunteer group, the church has been working with the school for four years.
“We partner with them in any way we can,” said Boutte. “When they need volunteers for events like this, we try to make sure we are present.”
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At Crabapple Middle School in Roswell, parents were still checking in their kids after the school’s late bell. They piled into the office, waiting patiently to send their kids off to their homeroom teacher.
Sitting at the front desk to help answer first day questions was Fulton County parent Heather Sorensen. The Fulton County mom had already gotten her kids off to school for the day.
“My ninth grader was nervous about starting a new school,” said Sorensen. “My seventh grader was super excited. She loves the structure of her middle school and her teachers.”
Sorensen explained she’s been volunteering at the school for four years.
Seventh grade student, Tyjai Hopper admitted that his feelings were mixed about the first day back.
“I’m a little bit nervous,” said Hopper. “It’s been a long time since I’ve seen my friends.”
A second later, another boy walks into the front office. Hopper turns and smiles as he recognizes the boy. Gives him a quick handshake and starts up a conversation. The nerves? All gone, it seemed.
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