Back to school: Nearly 50,000 students set to return to Cumberland County Schools
This is the last weekend before nearly 50,000 students head back to school in Cumberland County.
Monday marks the first day of classes for students in the school district who are part of the traditional calendar year.
Randrea Scavella is an international educator at Gallberry Farm Elementary School. She's from the Bahamas and has been teaching for 14 years. She has been putting the finishing touches on her classroom, but says she's spent a lot of time getting ready for the arrival of her students.
“We're actually in there preparing for our little darlings that we love so much,” Scavella said.
Preparations include stacking computers, aligning books and printing handouts.
It's been three years since the COVID pandemic shut down schools and forced students to learn from home. Teachers say that time away from the classroom has created some unique challenges.
"The challenge, honestly, is just trying to get them to form relationships with each other and trying to figure out how to get passed those nervous boundaries because a lot of it, right now, is just trying to get back into the routine,” said Gallberry Farm Elementary School teacher Erin Keller.
Administrators remind parents that it's their involvement with their children's education that is key to their academic and social success. Gallberry Farm Elementary leaders said they had a terrific turnout for the parent's open house.
"I already have a nana who has volunteered to be here for reading time,” Scavella said. “I have a class mom that's willing to come in.
“So, I'm seeing a lot of support and I’m just elated about that fact."
