District: First Day of School Went 'Smoothly'

Dorchester County School District Two released this statement about Monday's first day of school:

The 2013-2014 school year began for more than 23,500 Dorchester District Two students today.  Opening day went smoothly at all twenty-two school sites with heavy traffic presenting the only challenge.   As is a tradition throughout the district, many parents took their children to class on this first day of the school year which impacted traffic and parking around schools.  School buses delivered children a little behind schedule at several schools but this is typical during the first few days of school.  

Student counts on the first day showed school numbers increased by approximately 400 students over the first day of class last year. The district staff will continue to monitor student counts at each school over the next few days as students continue to register.  The largest increase in student enrollment was at the elementary level.  The school showing the highest growth today was Knightsville Elementary School with an increase of 142 students, bringing their total to over 1,300 students.

District staff members were at all school sites to assist schools on the first day and also to identify any problem areas in school operations.  All staff reported very few problem areas that could not be taken care of with minor adjustments.  Schools were focused on getting children settled in their classes as smoothly as possible so learning could begin.

Superintendent Joe Pye commented on the first day of school, “I would like to thank our teachers, administrators, and particularly our parents for planning ahead and working cooperatively to make this one of the best school openings we have ever experienced.”