Back-to-school brings excitement, nerves and new beginnings
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV)-- St. Joseph students are heading back to school, bringing a mix of emotions for not just themselves, but educators across the district.
Superintendent Ashly McGinnis said she is very excited to have students back in the building, noting how the first day of school is always filled with positive energy.
“We are ready to go and it's beautiful weather outside, especially compared to last year, I remember,” she said.
McGinnis hopes students across the district have a great first day and a positive learning experience as they begin a new school year.
She said the district has high expectations for its schools when it comes to curriculum and student achievement.
“Overall we will focus on the whole child, and we want to make sure we are preparing every learner for success after high school,” she added.
For some students, however, the first day comes with a little more uncertainty.
Jacobi Marie McGuire, a senior at Central High School who transferred from Benton, said she was nervous about starting at a new school.
“I am going in blind because I didn’t get my schedule in until Sunday, so I am going in completely blind and I don’t know where any of my classes are,” she said.
McGuire said she is excited to see her best friend, who is also a senior and will be joining her at Central after transferring from Lafayette Middle School.
Although McGuire did not tour the building beforehand, she has an idea of what to expect. She said the size of Central is one of the biggest differences from her previous school.
“It’s a lot bigger because Benton is basically a square on top of a square and this is huge from going from a small school to a great big school,” she said.
Aubrey Williams, a sophomore at Central who has attended the school since freshman year, said she wasn’t nervous about returning.
“I forgot my schedule, but I do know mainly where I will be going, and I will probably need to be a tour guide for my friends and boyfriend,” Williams said.
Williams also expressed excitement that her boyfriend will be joining her at Central this year.
As she looks ahead to the school year, Williams hopes her classmates will be kind to her and her friends and that she can earn good grades.
She also hopes to make plenty of new friends and create special memories throughout the year.
