Education

August 31. 2012 2:02AM

Buses roll, students return to Merrimack schools

By KIMBERLY HOUGHTON
Union Leader Correspondent

Students walk to their buses after the first day of school at Merrimack Middle School on Thursday. (KIMBERLY HOUGHTON/Union Leader Correspondent)

MERRIMACK — School was back in session on Thursday for Merrimack students returning from summer vacation, and teachers greeted many of them at the doors with smiles.

“The teachers were ready to go. We were all ready to get the students back in the classroom,” said Merrimack Middle School Principal Deborah Woelflein.

With 623 students enrolled, Woelflein said the majority of students seemed excited to be back, and the incoming seventh-graders were eager to explore a new school.

“The first day was wonderful. We had no problems,” she said. “It was pretty much smooth sailing.”

With a new bus provider, Woelflein said she anticipated a few snags, but said the bus transportation went flawlessly.

At Thorntons Ferry Elementary School, the first day also went off without any major glitches, according to the principal.

The weather was perfect and the kids and staff were all smiling, Principal Bridey Bellemare said.

“I could not have asked for a better start. The kiddos knew the routine from last year and got right back into it,” said Bellemare, who was impressed that only two students were a little teary-eyed.

Bellemare said there are slightly less than 500 students enrolled at the school this year, adding enrollment has been on a steady decline in the past few years. However, she said about 40 new students enrolled this summer.

“That is a really good push for us,” she added.

The staff at Thorntons Ferry participated in several team-building activities to get the teachers motivated and energized, said Bellemare, who added they all focused on their individual strengths that will be brought into the school culture in the coming months.

“We have a great team here, and everyone already seems to be settled,” she said.

New this year at the elementary school is a fundraising effort with the parents’ organization to enhance the school’s technology development plan with interactive light boards and projectors. Bellemare said she is excited about the initiative.

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Kimberly Houghton may be reached at khoughton@newstote.com.