Pearl Sample opens up

By Nate Delesline III

Published: August 20, 2008

Escorting two of her own kids and three of her nieces and nephews into Pearl Sample Elementary, Nicole George said everyone was a little sleepy, but ready to go on their first day.

But sleepy or not, “We’re excited to have a lot of new faces and enjoying seeing the excitement on everyone’s faces this day,” said Pearl Sample Assistant Principal Christa Clore.

This year, about 560 students are expected to attend the school, which is located off Route 15 south of town.

At the front of the school, as the throaty diesel growl of another bus approached, Jim Allen, director of instruction for the school district, said the first day of school was free of serious problems.

“I’ve been looking forward to this day for three months,” he said. Culpeper County Public Schools Acting Superintendent Larry Carter, who said he was making the rounds at each school, agreed.

“We’re excited to open,” Carter said. “We have some issues with busing, but it’s a pretty normal first day.”

Clore said there is an occasional bit of anxiety, but that the students usually recover quickly. “We see more tears on parents than students,” she said smiling.