Like many students and teachers returning to the classroom, Kent School District Superintendent Calvin Watts experienced some first-day jitters Monday.
“When I think about all the planning, all the fantastic strategic planning that goes in to opening a school district, I certainly had a set of nerves this morning,” said Watts, who took over the district’s top post in June. “I was comforted when I thought about the people, systems and structures we have in place. … My nerves have been calmed, and I look forward to a great day and great school year.”
Watts said the first day of school in his house was similar to what many families in the district experienced.
“The Watts household is now experiencing school very differently for the first time in Kent School District,” said Watts, who moved to the area from Georgia with his wife and son this summer after being named superintendent in Kent. “Our son, who is a rising seventh-grade student at Mattson (Middle School), was experiencing a little bit of anxiety as he went to bed last night and then excitement as he got on to the bus this morning. My wife, quite frankly, was experiencing a little sadness as she saw him get on the bus for the first day, even though he has been a bus rider before, just not in this environment.”
Watts kicked off the first day of classes by visiting several of the district’s schools, which he said he hopes to make a tradition.
Watts started his day as many students do – with a bus ride to Cedar Heights Middle School in Covington. While on the bus, Watts chatted with seventh-grade students who were preparing for their first day of middle school.
“I had some very middle schoolesque conversation with our students about what they are excited about and what their fears were,” he said.
After arriving at Cedar Heights, Watts walked with students through a welcome tunnel of Cedar Heights staff, who greeted students as they made their way to the gym, where they began their middle school careers.
Watts’ next stop was Kent-Meridian High School, where he visited several classes, including art classrooms damaged by an Aug. 3 fire. The two-alarm blaze, which started outside of the building, heavily damaged two classrooms while another classroom, a workroom, and the hallways, had minor damage.
“We lost some property,” Watts said at a school board meeting on Aug. 27. “Fortunately, we did not lose or harm any people.”
Work to repair the building began shortly after the fire was extinguish to ensure work would be done before classes began.
“Bottom line: Our students, our school will be ready for the first day of school come Aug. 31,” Watts told the board. “That’s a team effort.”
Following his visit to Kent-Meridian, Watts made stops at several other schools. He was pleased with what he saw first hand.
“I couldn’t have asked for a better start and foundation for what I expect to be a successful and significant 2015-2016 academic year,” he said.
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