A great first day
Wednesday marked the first day of school for the Arlington ISD, and Superintendent Dr. Matt Smith couldn’t wait to get started.
Maybe that explains why Smith was up early and at Martin High School at 6 a.m.
That’s where Smith and Martin’s cheerleaders, marching band and Sundancers greeted the CBS 11 morning crew as they arrived for their morning show to kick off the school year.
The festive atmosphere continued throughout the day as Smith, district leaders and Arlington ISD Board of Trustee members crisscrossed the district to greet students, visit classrooms and check on staff members.
By the time Deputy Superintendent Dr. Jennifer Collins left Blanton Elementary during dismissal, the caravan they were on had stopped at seven schools, traveled more than 50 miles and logged 4.6 miles walking.
“It was great to be able to get out and see so many people excited about getting back to school,” Smith said. “Our staff was prepared. Our students were prepared. Our families were ready. If the first day was any indication of what’s to come, it’s going to be an outstanding school year.”
Once Smith left Martin, he headed for Pope Elementary where he got to catch up with new principal Crystal Dunlap and greet students as they arrived. After visiting six classrooms at Pope, the next stop was Bailey Junior High.
Bailey underwent massive renovations with a big addition thanks to the 2019 Bond. Included in those renovations were a new entrance, new classrooms and an expanded cafeteria that will better serve the students.
At Arlington High, Smith got to witness what’s coming for the freshmen that came over from the Gunn Junior High and Fine Arts and Dual Language Academy as part of the first freshman class of the fine arts and dual language program.
Smith and board members got a sneak peek of the construction on the northeast side of the campus. They also got a taste of the outstanding fine arts the district offers as they heard short piano, band and choir performances.
Following a short lunch break, Collins got her first look at the P-TECH at Bowie High School. The P-TECH health sciences program has its first senior class this year. How outstanding are the P-TECH students? Some of them helped with dental screenings at the Back to School Kickoff earlier this month. One of the dental providers was so impressed they are offering job opportunities exclusively for the P-TECH students. Yes, our students are that good.
The next stop was at Carter Junior High, which is in its last year before being replaced by Joey Rodriguez Junior High. Principal Elena Lopez was able to spotlight several of her outstanding teachers Wednesday.
Finally at Blanton, Principal Migdalia Castillo gave Collins a whirlwind tour of the school before heading outside for car-line duty.
After that, it was time to rest … until Day 2 on Thursday!
See all the photos from the first day.