Matoaka opens with high energy

By Susan Robertson

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JAMES CITY -- As dozens of buses rolled into Matoaka Elementary, a man in a tuxedo boarded each one in turn.

Principal Andy Jacobs wore the dinner jacket to remind his 600-plus students that this was an important occasion, their first day of school.

"You all have had two extra weeks of vacation, and I'm sure you've enjoyed it," he said as he spoke to each bus-load of eager children. "But now it's time to get down to business."

Contractors have been on-site seven days a week for the past year. They pushed through the weekend to get the job done and with all the finishing touches in place, the doors opened as planned Tuesday morning.

Cars and SUVs flooded the parking lot, parking along every available curb and some even tried the bus loop. Moms and dads hurried to walk their children inside, straightening jackets and bookbags along the way.

Near 8:45 a.m., teachers wearing black Matoaka polo shirts with red and white trim headed out to the bus ramp to meet their new students. They lined up on the sidewalk and held up bright color signs identifying their names and grade levels.

Jacobs said they wanted to make it easy for the kids to find their teachers and classrooms on their first day.

"I think it's absolutely fabulous," said Diana Loftiss, who drove her third-grade girls Madison and Johanna to school for their first day. "We've been anticipating this day since September 5."

Loftiss recalled that as their friends went back to school the girls became anxious and ready to start their school year.

Once teachers had all of their students, they formed lines and filed into the building. Brightly painted walls and columns delineated the classroom pods for each grade level.

Because of the delayed start, Matoaka students will have a slightly longer day all year to regroup. They will attend 9:09 a.m.-4 p.m., 21 minutes longer than other WJC elementaries.

Teachers and administrators plan to keep a close eye on the students to see how they acclimate themselves to the longer day. To break up the day, an extra outdoor time or activity may be added to the schedule.