Students in the Lamont School District headed back to class this morning, with campuses welcoming returning students and new faces for the start of the school year.

At Mountain View Middle School in Lamont, Principal Lupita Duhart said the campus was eager to welcome students back, including eighth graders and new seventh graders. “The energy is magnetic,” Duhart said, adding that teachers were excited to meet their new students.

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Duhart said students can expect “fun, learning, new experiences” this year, including new electives such as engineering, leadership and yearbook, along with sports and clubs

For students who may feel nervous about returning to school or starting at a new campus, Duhart said those feelings are normal, especially for students transitioning from elementary school to middle school. She said staff are there to help students feel safe and supported.

Duhart, a former Mountain View student who has also taught in the district and worked as an academic coach, called her role as principal a personal connection to the community. “I am a former student of the district,” she said. “I’ve taught here. I’ve been an academic coach, and now in administration.”

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She encouraged parents to talk with their children about how the first day went and to reach out to the school office with questions. “Know that we are here in the office to support you,” Duhart said.

Later in the morning, students began filing into Mountain View Middle School, with groups arriving smiling and appearing excited for the first day. Duhart said the school is offering additional opportunities this year, including schoolwide activity days, clubs and electives. She said about half of the school’s teachers were on campus the Saturday before school opened to prepare classrooms.

Among activities for students, Duhart highlighted an eighth-grade Magic Mountain trip and monthly campuswide activity days designed to recognize positive behavior. She said students can choose activities such as bracelet making, dances and movies.

Duhart said the school is also focused on setting students up for success through a homeroom period that includes PBIS lessons and morning announcements, along with orientations at the beginning of the year. She said teachers use ParentSquare to communicate with families.

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Reflecting on her own first day at Mountain View, Duhart said she remembered being “super scared, super nervous,” and said a welcoming adult can make a difference. “Good morning, and welcome our students with a smile truly makes a difference,” she said.

At Alicante Elementary, a TK-through-sixth-grade school in the district, Superintendent Brandy Charles said students and families were excited for the new school year. “Oh, the students are excited to return to have classrooms with their friends, meet their new teacher,” Charles said. “The parents are excited for the new adventure for this new school year.”

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Charles said families can expect construction and improvements across the district, along with work on educational and instructional strategies tied to the district’s learner framework.

Charles, who said she attended Alicante and went through the district, said she remembered feeling “a little nervous, excited, ready to go” on her own first day of school. She encouraged students to take time to introduce themselves to their teacher, get to know classmates and make new friends.

At Alicante, students and families took photos near a tiger cub sign as they arrived, adding to what was described as a high-energy start to the day.