Jones County students, teachers excited for new school year

Jones Senior students are still adjusting to the new K-12 school on the first day Monday. Photo by Junious Smith III / Neuse News

By Junious Smith III

Jones County is ready for the new year.

Monday was the first day of school for students across the area, and everyone — from students to staff — is ready for the 2019-20 academic year.

“There’s always a sense of newness to a school year and an important time for teachers, principals and the school community to set expectations for the year,” Pollocksville Elementary principal Steven Howard said. “We want to work on increasing our test scores, make sure we have fewer discipline problems and not just meet academic needs, but social and emotional ones.”

Howard is in his third year with Pollocksville Elementary, and there are a pair of neophytes in head positions — Mandi Gillis at Maysville Elementary and Bryce Marquis at Jones Senior. Gillis said the impact of seeing the children on the first day was wonderful and she hopes to build upon it in the coming weeks.

“That is the best part of education, the day when the kids walk in and everything is fresh and new,” Gillis said. “The excitement is in the air and I love it. My expectations are to listen and learn — this is a great staff (and) I have come into a very wonderful situation here. My job is to come in here and continue progress going on at Maysville.”

Marquis is not only taking on a new position, but at the state-of-the-art K-12 school in Jones County.

“It’s so great to see students, teachers and families enter this building,” Marquis said. “The fun part is the instructions began this morning and we are just so grateful, not only at Jones Senior High but as a county.”

Taylor Hillman, who plans to graduate in December from Jones Senior with not just a high school diploma but with an associate’s degree from Lenoir Community College, said being the first class in the school means a lot.

“It feels like we’re the leaders and have the opportunity to set an example moving forward,” Hillman said.

Jones Senior 11th-grader Wali Muhammad said he appreciates the new design of the school.

“I really like it,” Muhammad said. “It’s very open and different than the old school, but it’s definitely a great sight.”

Princeton Monroe, a first-grader at Trenton Elementary, said he couldn’t wait for the new school year.

“We do science and fun things, and we also get to go outside and play,” Monroe said.

Trenton Elementary sixth-grader Amy Phillips said the new school will take an adjustment process for her.

“I’m excited, but nervous,” Phillips said. “I’ll get to meet new people and the school is really big — I might get lost.”

Jones County Superintendent Dr. Michael Bracy said opening a new school was a great way to kick off the new year.

“We had a great start to the new school year,” Bracy said. “(We were) excited to see the kid’s faces, especially those who hadn’t had a chance to see it before today. It was a neat opportunity with staff and students, (and) I’m looking forward to a great year.”

The excitement didn’t wane at Maysville Elementary among staff and students. Third-grade teacher Alexandra Cieckiewicz said the anticipation of the 2019-20 school year isn’t lost on the instructors.

“I’m really looking forward to the new group,” Cieckiewicz said. “There’s a level of excitement that you feel on the first day and I’m ready to get back into the trenches. Traditionally, the kids here work hard and there are high expectations, so there’s no need to lower the bar.”

Maysville fifth-grader Yazion Koonce said he’s already a fan of his class.

“I like my teacher (Ms. Starzynski), and being back in school with my friends,” Koonce said. “I hope to learn a lot when it comes to reading and math.”

Pollocksville Elementary third-grader Camiryn Perry said he’s excited for the new year.

“I like that I can come here and see my friends,” Perry said. “I also get to learn more about math, reading and science.”

Marshay Brown, a fifth-grader at Pollocksville Elementary, said she can’t wait to see the new changes and has high expectations for her peers.

“I get to meet my teachers, and learn about them and my classmates,” Brown said. “I want everyone to do well and school and move on to the next grade.”