North Branford Superintendent of Schools Scott Schoonmaker made morning rounds at North Branford Public School buildings this morning, Wednesday, August 29, to be on-hand on as the town's students arrived for the first day of the 2018-19 academic year.

"It's a great opening, and everyone seems really happy to be back," said Schoonmaker, who finished up his morning greetings at Jerome Harrison Elementary School (JHS), where he helped principal Beth Parker welcome the town's youngest students. Parker served as interim JHS principal last year and was named JHS's new school principal with the start of the 2018-19 school year.

School buses from the district's transportation provider, DATTCO, were on time as they reached their final stops of the morning at JHS.

"I'm amazed at how organized and fluid the process is," said Schoonmaker. "We made some changes this year in the drop area, but the staff has been incredible and our new principal, Beth Parker, has been incredible transitioning in. This is her home."

As many of the students disembarked, they stopped for hugs from teachers and parents (who also managed to pull off a few quick photos or some video), before being guided into the building for the day's  9 a.m. start.

On the way to begin the first day of the new school year with her faculty, staff and students, Parker told Zip06/The Sound "...I am absolutely thrilled. When Scott says this is my home, it really is. I love Jerome Harrison so much. I'm so happy to be here."

For more information on North Branford Public Schools, visit www.northbranfordschools.org/