Lackland Air Force Base, Texas –
Nearly 1,000 students and faculty returned to highly polished floors and sharp-tipped
pencils here Monday, ready to begin another year of learning and growing.
"I was extremely pleased and impressed with our first day of school," said Burnie Roper, the principal of Virginia Allred Stacey Junior/Senior High School. "The students
were well-behaved and cooperative. The administrative staff and teachers worked extremely hard to ensure a smooth start, and their work was not in vain."
There are approximately 200 students enrolled in the base's junior/senior high school and nearly 800 students enrolled in the Lackland Elementary School.
"The first day (at the elementary school) went beautifully," said the Lackland Elementary School principal, Kay Norton. "It was terrific to see all those excited and shining faces as they entered the building. As with any first school experience, we had afew tears, but the tears quickly dried as the children began to color and play with blocks."
Frankie Armentrout, 6, was happy to return to school, according to his father, Staff Sgt. Bryan Armentrout, the security manager for the 37th Security Forces Squadron.
"He was excited and couldn't wait. He loves it," said Sergeant Armentrout.
"It was time for (Frankie and his 5-year-old brother) to go back to school. Cabin fever had set in," he continued with a laugh, giving voice to a sentiment understood by many parents. "We did a lot of fun things this summer, but Frankie wanted to get back to see
his friends."
Staff Sgt. Eric O'Brien and his wife, Carly, took their 5-year-old daughter to school Monday, instead of letting her ride the bus.
"It was weird," said Sergeant O'Brien, an instructor in the 343rd Training Squadron. "It really hit me that (Payton) is growing up and she's a big girl. But I was also happy to
see her go to school. I remember how much fun I had going to school."
To ease the families of elementary school students into the school year, parents were offered a continental breakfast, playfully dubbed the "Boo-hoo/Wahoo! Party." During the breakfast, parents had the chance to meet with and ask school officials questions
about the school.
Students and parents were also treated to a guest appearance by the wing commander.
"It was a delightful surprise to have Brig. Gen. (Darrell) Jones visiting our school and even sit on the floor with our kindergarten students," Principal Norton said. "It is just another example of the constant support the Lackland Air Force Base provides our
schools."
Sergeant O'Brien said he appreciates the convenience, size and scope of the school.
"They are teaching military kids on a military base. (The staff) can relate to the
kids and the kids can relate to one another, which helps since most of them are going
through similar things," said the father of two.
Lackland Independent School District has been educating military children in first through sixth grades since Sept. 8, 1953. The school district added seventh-grade classes in 1968. One grade level was added each year, with 12th grade being added in 1973.
In 1997, the junior/senior high school was named for Virginia Allred Stacey, an educator who served in the district for 30 years as a teacher, administrator and
superintendent.
An additional 176 personnel serve in the Lackland ISD.