Assistant Principal Monica Hubbard greets students and their families as they arrive at Sherman Elementary School Monday morning.
For some, the first day of the 2017-2018 year in Mansfield City Schools will forever be entwined with the first total eclipse of the sun visible from the contiguous United States in 99 years.
The eclipse will not be total over Mansfield. Experts say it will be around 85 percent.
Superintendent Brian Garverick visited buildings Monday morning, as did board of education members Renda Cline, Sheryl Weber and Gary Feagin.
“What I’ve seen this morning is staff and students working together on their routines and expectations,” Garverick said. “Students have been polite and engaging.”
Only grades 7, 9 and 10 reported today at Mansfield Senior High and Mansfield Middle School. Both schools held auditorium assemblies to discuss behavior in the hallways, dress codes and other information. Grades 8, 11 and 12 will begin classes on Tuesday.
Throughout the district principals and teachers welcomed returning students and those new to the district.
Garverick asked science teachers in each building to discuss the eclipse with students. He also banned outdoor activity at the elementary schools after 1 p.m. except at the Spanish Immersion School which acquired glasses safe for viewing the eclipse.
“We have enough glasses for students. Teachers have inspected them to assure that they will provide the required safety,” Principal Gabe Costa said. “We plan to have a share experience outdoors starting at around 2:20 p.m.”
Some schools already have had open houses for students and their families. Remaining open houses include:
-- Springmill STEM Elementary, Tuesday, Aug. 22, 5:30-7 p.m.
-- Sherman Elementary, grades 2 and 3, Wednesday, Aug. 23, 6-7:30 p.m.
-- Sherman Elementary, K and grade 1, Thursday, Aug. 24, 6-7:30 p.m.
-- Mansfield Middle School, and Mansfield Senior High, Thursday, Aug. 31, 5-6:30 p.m.