By Felix Hoover

For YourNewsColumbus

Posted 08-27-09

 

 

A lot of school buses crossed the intersection of N. Garfield Avenue and Atcheson Street Wednesday morning while children from three families awaited the right ones.

 

Students, parents. bus drivers and other motorists were reacquainting themselves with the routine that goes with school days. For most students at Columbus City Schools, Aug. 26 was the first day of the new school year.

 

One bus driver shouted her destination so there was no question about who should go with her.

 

Others stopped at the corner, opened the front passenger door and invited the appropriate pupils on board.

 

Within a short time, Eric Miller Jr., 10, and Henry Willoughby, also 10, were among students being transported to Hubbard Elementary School. And Mysharei Bryant, 7, was among those bound for Eastgate Elementary.

 

Each had a parent on hand to see them safely aboard their assigned buses. In the case of Eric, it was his dad.

 

"I'm out here every morning," Eric Sr. said.

 

Aryiah Wigginton, 6, had also been escorted to the southeast corner of Garfield and Atcheson, with older cousin Shan Curry her escort.

 

Most of the youngsters seemed ready to embark on the school year.

"I like doing work," Aryiah saiid. "I like to color."

 

If you're wondering, red and black are her favorite colors.

 

At Eastgate, the majority of the student body rides the bus to school and

 

Principal Carol Wheat was outside to greet them upon their arrival.

 

At the doorway, a group of older students set an example of how to line up in an orderly manner.

 

A table in the receiving area displayed literature, including a piece from the Columbus Metropolitan Library that says: "Your Child's #1 School Supply, A Library Card, And it's Free."

 

Miracle Scott, 8, had picked up a muffin, an apple and a container of juice before saying good-bye to her father, Michael.

 

"I like math," she said.

 

A peek into her backpack showed she was ready for other subjects as well.

 

It contained pencils, scissors, crayons and a notebook.

 

The school held at ice cream social Tuesday evening to help parents and children adjust to the building and the idea of going back to school. Even so, a few students struggle with opening-day separation from their parents.

 

Parent Consultant Sandy Holland comforted one of the tearr-eyed youngsters who felt abandonned.

 

A few parents had their moments, too.

 

"I;m about to cry," said Tamika Laster as she moved from the kindergarten classroom where her son, Devin Hansard, was assigned.

 

He had gone to all-day preschool last year without incident, but his mother speculated that the move to a new school unsettled him.

 

Devin won't be the youngest pupil at Eastgate because about 20 preschoolers will come in during the first part of September, Wheat said.

 

Eastgate was one ot the schools that State Rep. W. Carlton Weddington visited on opening day.

 

Some people recognized him as a legislator, but others remember him as a substitute teacher.

 

On one of his earlier stops on Wednesday, Weddington had told students,

 

"This is the beginning of the rest of your life in terms of the education you're going to receive. Enjoy the opportunity."

 

He had visited Champion Middle School in support of the Million Fathers March, a national effort to get more black dads and other black men to be positive influences in the lives of young African-American males. The local component was sponsored by the Columbus Urban League and the African American Male Initiative in partnership with the Black Star Project.