First day brings excitement, new beginnings to Moses Lake schools
NANCE BESTON | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 1 hour, 59 minutes AGO
Moses Lake High School students pack into the gym for the first day of school assembly. They are welcomed by the Mavs Cheer Team.
NANCE BESTON/COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD
Fifth grader Damian Pruneda and his mom Sonya Pruneda wait for the doors to open on the first day back at Groff Elementary school Wednesday.
Moses Lake High School freshmen are welcomed into the gym by clapping teachers and staff during their first day back Wednesday.
Third grader Kahmila Elejo holds her baby brother Luka Elejo while she waits for Groff Elementary to let students in Wednesday.
Two students joke with one another at Columbia Middle School while walking into the first day of school assembly.
Two Groff Elementary School students high-five Mavericks Football players Jerimiah Olson (right) and Elijah Burns (left).
Two freshmen at Moses Lake High School work on figuring out the schedule for the day on their first day at the school Wednesday.
Groff Elementary School Principal Nikki Mackey and Assistant Principal Will Brit smile in front of the display the Groff Elementary School Parent Teacher Association made for the first day back.
Columbia Middle School students listen to their Principal Scott Petersen during the back to school assembly.
MOSES LAKE — Hallways filled with excited chatter, nervous smiles and reunions with friends Wednesday as Moses Lake School District students returned for the first day of school.
Elementary students, sixth graders entering middle school and ninth graders beginning high school all started classes, marking the beginning of a new academic year.
At Groff Elementary School, students returned to their newly renovated building after spending more than a year away during construction. Families gathered outside the school as students eagerly made their way through the doors.
Assistant Principal Will Britt said he felt both excitement and nerves as the school year began.
"I have never been more excited and nervous at the same time," Britt said.
Britt, who is in his first year at Groff, said the first day brings new beginnings for students and staff alike.
"I'm looking forward to seeing all the smiles that we had in the open house," he said. "I'm ready to get back to it."
For students feeling nervous, Britt offered simple advice.
"Everything will be good, and just have fun," he said. "We're here to have fun and learn."
Fifth grader Damian Pruneda was among the students happy to be back at Groff. After attending Vanguard Academy last year, he said he was excited to return.
"I am most excited to play with my friends," Damian said.
While he enjoyed attending Vanguard, he said returning to Groff felt special.
"Vanguard was bigger and that was cool, but Groff is home," he said.
At Columbia Middle School, hundreds of new sixth graders gathered in the gymnasium for a welcome assembly led by Principal Scott Petersen and school staff. Teachers, counselors, administrators and support staff introduced themselves while helping students prepare for their transition to middle school.
The assembly focused on helping students navigate their schedules, lockers, classes and daily routines while reassuring them that staff members were there to help.
At Moses Lake High School, around 600 freshmen started their first day of school in the cafeteria before going through the hallway to the gym. The hallway was packed with teachers and staff clapping as the new students walked into their first assembly of the year.
Fifth grader Damian Pruneda and his mom Sonya Pruneda wait for the doors to open on the first day back at Groff Elementary school Wednesday.
Moses Lake High School freshmen are welcomed into the gym by clapping teachers and staff during their first day back Wednesday.
Third grader Kahmila Elejo holds her baby brother Luka Elejo while she waits for Groff Elementary to let students in Wednesday.
Two students joke with one another at Columbia Middle School while walking into the first day of school assembly.
Two Groff Elementary School students high-five Mavericks Football players Jerimiah Olson (right) and Elijah Burns (left).
Two freshmen at Moses Lake High School work on figuring out the schedule for the day on their first day at the school Wednesday.
Groff Elementary School Principal Nikki Mackey and Assistant Principal Will Brit smile in front of the display the Groff Elementary School Parent Teacher Association made for the first day back.
Columbia Middle School students listen to their Principal Scott Petersen during the back to school assembly.ARTICLES BY NANCE BESTON
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