TUPELO Avari Vance, 5, arrived Thursday morning at Saltillo Primary School, tie-dye lunch box in hand, ready to learn.

Vance, a kindergartner, is one of thousands of students who returned to classes Thursday in the Lee County and Tupelo school districts.

Im excited because its my first day of school, Vance said.

Parents populated carpool lines and school parking lots for the first time since May, students entered classrooms carrying backpacks full of school supplies and teachers, who returned to work earlier this week, were ready to greet them.

Julie Sterling, first-grade teacher at Saltillo Primary, said the first day of school is not only exciting for students, but for teachers too.

Im excited and a little bit nervous, Sterling said. I cant wait to meet all my new first-graders.

At Lawhon Elementary School, Mark Enis started his first school year as principal of the school Thursday morning.

After spending time at the empty school, which underwent major renovations this summer, Enis said he was glad to see the building completed and full of students again.

Its a good feeling, Enis said of the first day of school. You always get butterflies, though, because you just want to make sure all of your Is are dotted and your Ts are crossed.

Most teachers spent the first day going over classroom rules and procedures, laying the foundation for learning to take place as the year goes on.

Lawhon third-grader Morgan Mathis said she was excited to be back at school to see her friends and learn about science. Although Mathis admits she had some jitters about the new school year, she said Thursday morning that the first day was going well.

Im feeling nervous because I havent been in Tupelo for very long, Mathis said.

Paisley Williams, 11, started seventh grade at Tupelo Middle School on Thursday.

Williams said the transition to TMS from Milam Elementary was a little overwhelming, but she was ready to make the move to a new school.

Im excited because its really different for me because I get a little more freedom than I did before, Williams said.

Besides a change of scenery, Williams said she was looking forward to meeting new people, using her new school supplies and being back in science class her favorite subject.

I love the first day of school, Williams said. Its great.

TMS teacher Amy Johnson said seeing new students, like Williams, at TMS on the first day is the best part of the school year.

Its something new with the kids coming over for Milam, its like theyre growing up, Johnson said. I like to see the new faces thats whats exciting for me.

Johnson teaches publications and productions at TMS. TMS was also renovated this summer and some teachers, including Johnson, returned from their break to a freshly painted classroom.

Students across Northeast Mississippi will return to school over the next week.

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Lee County, Tupelo students return for new school year - Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal