The sidewalk leading up to the doorway at Stafford Elementary was lined up with students and parents ready to meet the teachers during last Thursday’s “Meet the Teach Night.” Students, teachers and parents are ready for the new school year to begin and of course that begins with meeting the teachers.

Students were weighed down with backpacks and bags filled with enough school supplies to last them through the school year. For the kids it was all about getting to color with their new crayons, paint with their water colors and write in their new notebooks filled with paper. The air was filled with excitement as the students and parents entered the building to meet the teachers and find their classrooms.

Theresa Cockran (fifth grade teacher) was ready to meet her students. This is her first year to teach fifth grade. Last year she taught third grade. “I am ready to meet the challenges of teaching fifth grade. It is a new year, new beginnings and I am ready to get started and really excited about the new year.”

Isaac Garcia was there meeting his new teacher. He is in fifth grade this year. He said, “I am glad to have Mrs. Cockran for my teacher. I had a great summer but I am ready for school to start.”

The new principal, Jason Miller, was on hand to meet all the students and their parents. He explained, “I am just really excited to be here. I have an opportunity to come into an area that I am familiar with and I expect great things. I want the kids to expect great things right along with the community. I plan to get involved in the community more and more. Not just myself but my family, my wife and my kids. I want it to be an open door policy here at Stafford Elementary.”

Angie Janek (fourth grade teacher) is excited about this new year. She said, “With our new administration we have lots of new things planned. It is going to be a great year. Mr. Basset is our new superintendent and he has a lot of new things planned for the school and the community. He wants everyone involved.  It really is going to be a good year.”

Miss Hellner (fourth grade teacher) said, “I am so excited about school this year and I can’t wait to start. It is going to be a good year.”

Hands down it sounds like it is going to be a great year at Stafford Elementary.