Rome City Schools started the 2024-25 school year with style on Friday as teachers, staff and community members gathered at schools to welcome back the students.
It all started as the sun came up with the elementary schools. East Central positioned a backdrop next to the breezeway entering the school complete with a red carpet, balloons, signage and even Rome High’s mascot Willie the Wolf made an appearance.
Students posed in front of the backdrop for photos as Assistant Principal Ashley Hoban stood out front welcoming students.
“Welcome to East Central. Make sure you walk the red carpet,” she said as car riders and bus riders arrived. “Welcome back. It’s great to see everyone.”
At Rome Middle School, Principal Christian Barnes, staff and community members including some Board of Education members gathered along the breezeway to the entrance to the gym to welcome back the kids.
“Good morning. Good morning everyone. It’s time to warm up,” he said as community members held up signs welcoming the kids.
The sounds of Rome High’s Band echoed across the parking lot as the band played, the cheerleaders cheered and danced and community members waved and welcomed high school students, who got to walk a long red carpet before entering the cafeteria.
Across town at West Central, there were lots of welcomes for the students and kids got right to work. Less than an hour into the day, two Pre-K classes managed to overcome the first day of school jitters and the students were busy coloring. Some of those students even caught a case of the giggles as many of the children adjusted to being in a classroom for the first time.
Anna K. Davie was much the same. After teachers and staff welcomed students, they settled in their classrooms.
Elm Street’s gymnasium was packed in the early afternoon as the school held a first-day pep rally. The students brought some noise during the event but when Principal Lisa Strack held up the quiet wolf signal with her hand, the students followed suit.
Wille the Wolf danced, some teachers sang and several student teachers got to spin the wheel to determine which house they would be sorted into.
At West End Elementary, inflatable slides awaited students during activity periods and they enjoyed the extra exercise and break during their first day.
Main Elementary closed out the eventful first day as teachers made sure bus riders and car riders got to the proper locations before the staff gathered together for a group picture.
All in all, it was a busy, fun, and eventful first day of school for Rome City Schools.