Educators: First day of school was ‘great’

Educators are using superlatives to describe the first day of school on Monday in the Churchill County School District.

“It went pretty good,” said Principal Gregg Malkovich of Northside Early Learning Center. “We always have kinks, but we have a great bunch of kids.”

Malkovich said parents commended the school for its renovations, particularly the safety ventures.

“Parents love the school,” said Malkovich. “They think the single-point entry is a good idea.”

Keith Boone, principal at E.C. Best Elementary School, said his school had a great day.

“It’s always exciting seeing these young kids coming to school,” he said.

Boone said the main building was remodeled this year and has new carpet in the office and classrooms, and the hallway has vinyl covering.

“I’ve received positive feedback form the parents,” Boone said.

According to Boone, 406 students showed up on the first day, about the same number of students who attended the school in 2012-2013.

It was busy at both Numa and Lahontan elementary schools.

“The first day of school is fun and exciting for the kids,” said Principal Shawn Purrell.

He said renovations during the summer gave Numa, which has about 500 students, new pick-up and drop-off points and parking area.

“These were procedure changes, but they make the campus a lot safer for students and staff,” he said.

Purell said he received positive comments about Numa being a safer campus.

Purell also commended his Partner in Education, the Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center, which sent nine sailor to the school to assist on the first day.

Lahontan also has a Partner in Education with Naval Air Station Fallon. Three sailors greeted students on the first day including a larger-than-life character by the name of Sammy the Sailor.

As with some of the other elementary schools, a single-entry entrance greeted parents and children alike.

The two secondary schools reported a good first day.

“We started with an assembly in the gym — which was student led — introduced the theme for the year and sent them to class,” said Churchill County High School Principal Kevin Lords.

He said the first day was good since a majority of students received their schedules in the spring before they left school for the summer recess.

“It went smoothly,” Lords said, saying business was as usual.

Middle school Principal Scott Meihack said the first day also went well.

When the sixth grade moved to the former junior high school campus one year ago, Meihack said two-thirds of the students were new.

“It took a fair amount of time for them to figure out the rules and procedures,” he said. “This year we had a great back-to-school night, and the kids who came to school were prepared.”

Superintendent Sandra Sheldon said she visited every school and was pleased.

“The first day is always a challenge, but for them (the students), there is so much energy.”