Mixed emotions of sadness and joy were seen on faces throughout the District as Edgefield County Schools opened their doors to students Tuesday for another school year.

Erika Robinson comforted her daughter Aziyah as they waited in the Merriwether Elementary School office for paperwork to be completed. It was Aziyah’s very first day at school as she enters 5-year-old kindergarten.

“She’s ready,” said her mother. “She’s just a little nervous for the first day. And I’m very ready.”
Corly Johnson, on the other hand didn’t appear to be a bit shy as she sported her new backpack and her lunchbox with puppies on it.

“I’m glad to see school start,” said her mother, Meredith Couch. “She’s looking forward to it.”
A few feet away, Lance Mescher said his son, Christian Reeves, a third grader, is excited about it too.
Merriwether Elementary Principal Wayne Marchant said everything was going good at 8:45 a.m.

School took in at 7:45 and by 7:50 the halls were practically clear.

“We’re off to a good start,” he said. “Not a lot of students tardy. Nothing crazy has happened. The first day is always a little difficult. The kids and parents alike are a little nervous.”

“But,” he added. “The great thing about this community is the families are so close. The parents generally know what to do.”

Roughly 800 students will attend Merriwether Elementary this year.

A hop and skip down the road at Merriwether Middle School, Principal Bobby Turner said buses ran on schedule and students were on time.

“A lot had to still register, however,” he said. “There’s a line outside the office door.”

He said about 400 will register before it’s over with, about like last year.

Algebra I teacher Georgie Rohr was beginning her school day, with the help of Assistant Principal Kevin Butler. Students were settled down as if school had never been out.

W.E. Parker Elementary Principal Gaye Holmes said except for a few issues with buses, things were going great.

“Opening ran real smooth,” she said. “We’re still registering. There are a lot of new students. There will be 500 or more registered.”

She related that one teacher said if the days go as fast all year, June will be here before she knows it.

W.E. Parker has a new class of 3-year-olds this year, said Holmes, and 4K will start Thursday instead of Tuesday.

One student in Donna Higgenbottom’s fifth grade at W.E. Parker wrote in his journal, “Today, I feel excited because I’m finally a fifth grader!”

Edgefield County Schools Superintendent Mary Rice Crenshaw said it was a wonderful day. There were few delays or upsets.

“A lot of the kids and parents are excited about school starting,” she said. “I look forward to a good school year.”

Strom Thurmond High School principal Matt Schilit said his school was all smiles on Tuesday.

“We had a fabulous opening to our new school year,” he said. “Our school was filled this morning with smiling teachers, guidance counselors, and administrators all ready to welcome our students back. My theme this year for STHS is to Maintain the Momentum. We had a banner year last year and we look to build on that. It was a pleasure to walk the halls today to see all the excitement in each classroom. Each one of my teachers has a different style but they all have the same common goal. Day one was filled with solid teaching and learning.”

Meanwhile, tears were kept at a minimum at Johnston Elementary.

“The first day of school at Johnston Elementary was wonderful,” said school principal Bruce Lee. “I could not have asked for a better day. I was so excited to have the students back in the building. Teachers and students were smiling all day long. Even though the students spent a few months away from school, the majority of our students remembered the school-wide procedures that we have in place at JES!

“There was one kindergarten student that cried, and that is typical for a K-5 student on the first day of school. Usually, there are about 5 or 6 students that cries on the first day, so this was super. We had a successful start and I hope the remainder of the year goes this well.”