STUDENTS BACK ON CAMPUS

Continental begins new school year

A line of cars — and several yellow buses — snaked down White House Canyon Road Wednesday morning as parents waited to drop their kids off at Continental School.

But Continental was prepared for back-to-school pandemonium, with Sheriff’s Auxiliary Volunteers on hand to help direct traffic and school staff members placed around campus to answer parents’ questions.

Traffic is always a problem on the first day of school, said principal and superintendant Jim Nelson, because parents traditionally want to accompany their young children and opt to drive instead of sending them on the bus.

“I think it’s a great sign — it shows that these parents really care about their kids,” he said.

To add to the day’s excitement, Continental implemented a new student drop-off system, Wednesday.

It designates the front of the parking lot as a “continual traffic area,” allowing parents to pull up, let their kids out, and leave without blocking other cars. Parents who need to park are now directed to an area behind the middle school. This clears the way for the school buses, which now have fewer obstacles to dodge when navigating the parking lot.

“Our old system was dangerous,” said Nelson. “Every parent that I talked to was very patient, and appreciative that we are changing the procedures.”

All in all, he says Continental School had a successful first day.

“Our classes start at 8:20 a.m., and with all that traffic and minor confusion, we were only delayed 10 minutes.”

Nelson took over for Dr. Gaye Leo as superintendant of the Continental School District on July 1, and says he’s “having a blast” in the new position.

“For the past several years I felt like I’ve been too involved with the central office, away from the kids. But I’m really enjoying this combined role (as superintendant and principal). It’s fun to walk into the rooms and be able to see the kids and interact with them.”

Continental, a K-8 school, has 515 students enrolled this year, up nearly 50 from 2007. In addition, the school has hired seven “diverse” and “experienced” new staff members who hail from Alaska, Massachusetts, California and Guam, he said.

Nelson said he’s looking forward to working at a school with an “excelling” status, and maintaining it, if not improving upon it.

“We have a talented staff, morale is high, and we’re excited to get the school year off and running.”

Back-To-School Night is Thursday, Aug. 21, time to be announced.

jrichardson@gvnews.com | 547-9726