By Lorrie Ross
Staff Writer
Students and staff of Clay County Schools had a mostly uneventful first day of classes on Monday, Aug. 29. Well, other than comforting words needed by some students, parents and staff. Schools Superintendent Dale Cole shared a photo of him and a student from Hayesville Primary School comforting each other’s first day woes. “We both needed it and made each other feel much better,” Cole explained.
Cole said first day total school enrollment increased by 95 students for 2022. “In August 2021, Clay County Schools had 1,238 students enrolled,” he said. “On the first day this year it was 1,333.”
Cole also provided individual school enrollments. Hayesville High School had the largest increase with 55 more students starting school this year than in 2021. HHS had 349 students on the first day of the 2021 school year, while there were 404 enrolled on Aug. 29. Hayesville Middle School was the only school with a decreased first day enrollment, going from 299 in 2021 to 278 this year.
Hayesville Elementary School increased its first day enrollment from 255 to 274 between 2021 and 2022. Meanwhile, Hayesville Primary School jumped from 335 students on the first day last year to 377 on the first day of the 2022 school year.
Throughout the first day, students across campus made new friends and got to know their teachers. Hayesville High School Assistant Principal Karissa Teague photographed Jill White's Spanish class as they went into the school hallway to enjoy a getting to know you activity.
Hayesville High School Principal Stacey Overlin smiled. "The first day of school is always an exciting time for students, families and school staff,” he said. “We felt like our opening day this year was as smooth as it could possibly be and we're looking forward to a successful school year."
Cole said there are currently no COVID restrictions for Hayesville Schools. In addition, there are no new rules or guidelines the public needs to be informed about.
“Welcome to a new school year,” Cole said. “The Clay County Board of Education and our staff believe that student success happens most when we, the parents and the community work together to provide the best education possible for our students. We seek to improve this partnership between all stakeholders every day. Let us know if you run into any obstacles or need support. It is our pleasure to support you and your family in any way we can. Have a wonderful school year.”