BY BERNIE MIXON
The Cincinnati Enquirer
FOREST PARK -- Colorful decorations line classroom walls at Waycross Elementary School in anticipation of a big first-day welcome for students on Monday.
It will be a blending of old and new, as the school welcomes students from Forest View Elementary, closed in June by the Winton Woods school district because of budget constraints.
Students and teachers will not be the only new faces at the school. Jonathan Brown, 32, will be among them.
As principal, it is his job to fold familiarity with novelty during a year of changes.
The first step toward that goal began Friday with an open house and family picnic to give parents an opportunity to meet Mr. Brown as well as tour the school.
"We have a very challenging task ahead of us," Mr. Brown said of his school, the largest elementary in the district.
"We are prepared. The building is ready. The teachers are ready."
"I'm really excited. I can't sleep as late in the morning. School is starting. I can feel it." he said.
Housed in a building that once served as the district's middle school, Waycross will have four sections of kindergarten, four first grades, four second grades, three third grades, three fourth grades, three fifth grades and four sixth grades this year.
Last school year, the building had 382 students.
This year, enrollment is expected to be around 550, according to school officials.
A wing of the building previously unused will be utilized for third- and fourth-grade students, Mr. Brown said.
Some of this year's changes include:
Each grade will have its own designated entrance. Kindergarten through second grade will come in the front of building, third and fourth will come into their own wing, and fifth and sixth will each have their own entrances.
This is being done to relieve congestion in the halls and get students into building in a safe and orderly way.
A walkway was added from the front of the building to the third and fourth grade entrance for safety.
A separate paved area will now lead to the playground area from that part of the building.
A free breakfast program will be offered 8:30-8:50 a.m. Monday for all new Waycross students.
An additional row of parking was added at the building for parents and staff.
Principal ideas
Mr. Brown said he wants to help children become the best students they can be.
He said parents can help by setting aside a special place where children can do homework, talking to children about their day and turning off the television so children can read read and talk to their parents.
On Monday, Mr. Brown plans to be outside to meet his new students and parents.
Once instruction begins, he will peek into classrooms.
He will hand out as many napkins as he will words of encouragement to students at lunchtime.
He's not afraid to quarterback a football game, jump some rope or race with his students at recess.
At the end of the day, Mr. Brown plans to be outside to make sure children get on the proper bus and walk home in the right direction. "I want to encourage my kids to come to my office and read to me and to share a good grade on a paper," he said.
"I want to change the perception of the principal's office. There will be times I will have to send them home, but I'm much more than just a disciplinarian."
