BY KARISSA MILLER
The first week of school at N.B. Mills Elementary School was filled with joyful smiles, bubbles and high-fives as 14 volunteers from First Baptist Church in Statesville helped welcome families and students back last week.
Pastor Nelson Granade, dressed in a bright yellow smiley face T-shirt, said the church partnered with N.B. Mills to provide support and foster a positive impact on students.
“It’s our 150th anniversary this year. We decided to come up with ways to do 150 things. Our goal was to give 150 high-fives this morning,” Granade explained.
As part of its anniversary celebration, the church has also donated 150 loaves of bread, hygiene products and other resources to the community.
Before the school year started, the church provided breakfast for the teachers.
Granade said it was delightful to see the kids smile after being dropped off as they walked through a mist of bubbles and a team of friendly faces cheered and welcomed them back.
At the back of the school, First Baptist volunteers William Bernard, Andrew Kilby and Nan Johnson welcomed students as they walked off the bus.
“It was nice to see them smile and give them some encouragement,” Bernard said.
Principal Sally Schultz said that this was one of a few community partnerships that flourished after the staff and student program “Hear Us. See Us. Believe in Us.”
She said that students are excited to be back in school. Enrollment has increased by 20 or so to 380 students.
Among the staff’s goals this year are continuing to have high academic expectations while also decreasing disciplinary referrals.
Once the school day started, fifth-graders were excited to be reunited with their friends as teachers led a few fun ice-breaker games.
“I have been here since kindergarten, and I’m happy to be back,” said fifth-grader Keilen.
Dallas, another fifth-grader, said he was excited to be back and happy to make new friends this year.
Rashad, 10, went to the beach and relaxed during the summer. However, he’s glad to be back. The teachers, he added, make N.B. Mills great.
“We have the best teachers,” he said.
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