CHESAPEAKE, Va. (WAVY) – Chesapeake Public Schools (CPS) kicked off the school year with an after Labor Day start date.
“We’re excited that over 800 plus Panthers are returning,” said Keith Hyater, Greenbrier Middle School Principal.
He said this year marks a milestone anniversary for Greenbrier Middle School.
“We are celebrating our 25th year of educational excellence,” Hyater said. “We’ll have activities going on this year. But most importantly, our mission is to provide high quality learning experience for our students in a safe environment.”
A safe environment means more security measure across CPS schools.
“We’ve added some additional Sheriff’s deputies to our elementary schools so we’re going to have up to 14 now serving our 28 schools across the city,” said Dr. Jared Cotton, CPS Superintendent.
CPS also has School Resource Officers at middle and high schools.
“We’ve got such great partners here in Chesapeake Public Schools and our city as a whole, our sheriff’s department, our Chesapeake Police Department, they have been such great partners with us and providing safety. And we could not do it without them,” Cotton said.
As far as students, some are ready to get through the first day.
Seventh grader Emery Johnson said he was feeling nervous. When 10 On Your Side asked him why, he said, “I mean, It’s school.”
However he is excited about one thing.
“I just like gym the most,” Emery said.
Sixth grader Moira Stegner likes P.E. too.
“It’s free time in the day where you get to exercise,” she said.
Moira also looks forward to using those skills competitively.
“To try out for the softball team,” Moira said.
Her mother Kate Stegner, smiled thinking about how school will impact her daughter’s future.
“She’s going to continue to grow in that confidence. She’s going to try out for the softball team, and that’s only going to help her confidence, Stegner said. “She’s growing up she’s getting more mature. She’s becoming a young lady so that’s what I’m most excited about.”