Highland Springs set to open today for first day of school

NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C. (WRDW/WAGT) - Students in Aiken County Public Schools return to the classroom Tuesday with a new modified calendar.

On Monday, Highland Springs Middle School s announced it would open Tuesday.

The new building ed inspections Monday.

On Monday, students picked up laptop computers at North Augusta High School from noon until 6 p.m.

They will bring them with them to school on Tuesday.

The last inspection had shown the building was almost ready, but not yet suitable for students. Since then, crews have been rushing to get Highland Springs ready for the new school year.

It’s a gift some parents didn’t think would even be possible Monday afternoon.

“It makes it hard to get her pumped to start because if she’s going to be in her pajamas at home, then she’s not going to be super excited,” said Danielle Hushin, seventh-grade mom.

“It is stressful. I’m an educator as well for private schools. So I mean, I can understand, you know, the not knowing and the what ifs. And it’s just, you have to take it one day at a time and just go with the flow is what you have to do,” said Angela Herring, sixth-grade mom.

“I’m a little bit nervous because it’s like a new school and stuff. But I think everything’s gonna be alright. Hopefully is better than the past schools I have been to. But um, I’m really excited overall to see what this school has and bring to the table,” said Nadia Diggs, a seventh grader.

Watch below to see our full interviews with officials.

Superintendent King Laurence is optimistic.

“We always plan for the worst, but we anticipate the best. And we expect students to be in school Tuesday morning,” said Laurence.

Parents were excited about the school being ready for their students.

It’s an exciting moment for them and their students.

“I’m just really excited he’s going to get to go. We got the email just a few minutes ago. That’s what we were waiting on. We got the email just a little while ago that they’re going and we’re super excited,” said Ashley Fronek, parent.

For students like Fronek’s son, Jackson Fronek, it’s not just the first day of school, it’s the first day of middle school.

It’s just the beginning of his three years at Highland Springs.

Even though he hasn’t learned the layout of the new school yet, his mom says she’s not worried.

“A little nervous about that, but I think the teachers will handle it really well. Not worried about that at all. They have the schedules and I’m sure they will have them on hand as they kind of walk them and show them where they need to go,” she said.

According to the school district, doors to the school will open on Tuesday at 7:30 a.m.

“I want it to be virtual. Like having to be expected to wake up and then to be around so many people like seven in the morning? I can’t do that,” said Antino Garcia-Perez, an eighth grader.

To ease the minds of parents like Fronek, teachers and staff will be there to make sure students are aware of where they need to go and how to get there.

Students will sit by grade in the gym with their teacher advisor.

Having not met their teachers or seen their classrooms, that’s the last thing on their minds.

They’ll be ed as the first to walk in the doors, and sit at the desks, the classrooms, the cafeteria, and the library.

“I think it’s very important that we inspire the kids that this is something that we need to take care of. That you’re making history, that you’re part of some beginning of something,” said Elem Garcia-Perez, Antino’s mom.

For Fronek, she’s just as excited as she is confident in her student for the school year.

“They’re middle schoolers now, I think they can handle it okay. The opportunity for him to be one of the first to go in there is always exciting. We drove up there just to see it and it looks really great. I don’t see anything but great things to come from the school,” she said.

If you weren’t able to pick up your student’s schedule and laptop on Monday, they’ll get their schedule on the first day of school and their laptop sometime next week.

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