District Five welcome students back to school for 2016-2017 year in style

For Immediate Release – August 17, 2016

District Five welcome students back to school for 2016-2017 year in style

IRMO- Summer break concluded and students returned to schools across District Five Wednesday to begin the 2016-2017 year. Schools throughout the district held assemblies and pep rallies to pump up students as they embark on their next chapter of education.

“I am so proud of you all have conducted yourselves in the first few hours on the very first day of school,” Chapin High School Principal Dr. Akil Ross said to a packed gymnasium of students. “This is a great start to what promises to be another fantastic year. I am confident you will continue the legacy of excellence that is Chapin High School.”

In its yearly tradition, seniors at CHS sat front and center as Dr. Ross read them their senior promise. “I promise to work hard at home, school and in the community so that I may be an example to other classes,” he read. The senior class followed with their signatures, promising they would be in attendance with cap and gown on at the Colonial Life Arena on June 1, 2017 for graduation.

Meanwhile it’s a new day for Administrators like Trina Dickerson, who takes over those duties at The Academy for Success after serving as a Science teacher and Student Council Advisor at Dutch Fork Middle School. As she greeted students with a smile and wished them well on their first day, Dickerson said, “There is no other job like this. To make a difference and impact a child’s life in a positive way, we are fortunate enough to be able to do that here in District Five each and every day.”

Seven Oaks Elementary Principal Harriett Wilson and Leaphart Elementary Principal Kelly Brown were all smiles as they greeted their students and parents.  Excited students met their new teachers and caught up with their classmates.  Parents smiles and tears could be seen as they dropped of their children. Irmo Middle School Principal Robert Jackson was moving at an Olympian’s pace, greeting students and parents and helping his new seventh grade students to their classroom.  “This is always and exciting day in the life of a school” said Jackson. “The first day of school gives everyone a fresh start.”

And at Chapin Middle School, principal Anna Miller and her staff made sure to have an action-packed day for her students as they celebrated a new school year at their Eagle Launch Pep Rally. “Here at Chapin Middle School, we are about three things,” Miller said to seventh and eighth grade students in the gym. “We are respectful, responsible and remarkable. Remember these words as you grow and learn each day this school year.”

District Superintendent, Dr. Stephen Hefner spent the day visiting schools across the district. “Today was a wonderful start to the school year,” said Hefner. “We are very fortunate to have great school leaders, teachers and support staff who work very hard to prepare for the new school year. Our parents are very supportive and our students show up ready to learn. I am looking forward to another extraordinary year in District Five.”