New pencils, new backpacks, new lessons, new teachers – it’s all part of a new year in Russellville City and Franklin County schools.

Local students returned to the classroom Tuesday and Wednesday of last week to begin another year of learning. Whether at Red Bay, Russellville, Belgreen, Tharptown, Vina, Phil Campbell or East Franklin, students and teachers were busy getting settled back into a routine.

New Red Bay Principal Lance Mitchell said everything went well for the first few days for the Tigers.

“They’ve gone fairly smooth,” Mitchell said. “We’ve had a lot of new students come in, so we’re getting schedules made for them and placing them, but overall its gone very smooth.”

Joining Mitchell in administration is new assistant principal Jackie Parsons. Other new personnel include varsity girls basketball coach Sonya Marks.

New faculty are also in place at Tharptown, including band director Callie Henderson, math teacher Jason Cooper and science teacher Sherry Parker.

“The band parents are very excited about the new band instructor,” said Principal Barry Laster “They are very pleased with her.” He praised all of his new teaching staff. “They have come in and fit in well and are doing an extraordinary job so far.”

Laster said other than the normal first day of school challenges, everything went great.

“The kids all seemed to be happy to be back,” he said. “Of course it was very busy with new students registering.” Organization, he said, is key – “doing and planning as much as we can in the summer before the kids get here to try to make it go over smoothly.”

“We’re excited to start the new year,” he added. “My door is always open, and if (parents) ever have any questions or concerns, they are more than welcome to come in and see me.”

Autumn Horton, new third grade teacher at Phil Campbell Elementary, said the key to a great first day of school is creating a comfort zone for students. “A lot of them are nervous,” she said. “In third grade, this is their first time in the ‘big building,’ and we have sixth graders walking around, so this is a big deal for them. (I tried to) create a comfort zone here and let them know this is a safe haven and we’re here to learn and have fun – but we also have to behave. We have really been working on structures and procedures.”

In Russellville City Schools, Superintendent Heath Grimes spent the first week visiting every school to make sure he remains a familiar face among Golden Tigers from Pre-K through high school. “Everything is great,” Grimes said. “It’s been – thank the good Lord – all great. Everyone is moving along, building routines and having a great start.”

Total enrollment in RCS is 2,400-2,450. Twelve new teachers join the school system for this school year, but unlike in the county system – which had principal shake-ups at Belgreen and Tharptown Elementary, in addition to Red Bay – all principals remain from last year across the RCS system.

“We’ve had two pretty solid years with some continuity there. It really starts to make a difference for our teachers,” Grimes said.

Grimes said he enjoys getting the opportunity to be in the schools during the first week of a new year.

“I go out and enjoy seeing our students and welcoming them back. I try to support in any way that I can,” Grimes said. “If things are smooth the first week, it’s really a great time for me as I get to enjoy our students coming back.”

School walk-throughs, Grimes said, are common occurrences and a priority for him.

“It’s something I enjoy. I want our teachers to know I’m engaged and that this I something I have a passion about,” Grimes said. “I want them to know who I am – I want them to recognize me and have a relationship with me. I want them to know I am here to support them and I am here to ensure that things are great.”

Grimes said RCS is experiencing a great atmosphere for the start of school. Principals are “really excited. They talk about it being one of the smoothest starts they can remember.”

“I think the culture is changing a little bit, and people are excited. This is a really exciting time.”