With the first day of school for Selma City Schools and Ellwood Christian to begin Monday, many area parents hurried to register their children earlier this week and school officials put together last minute touches in preparation for opening day.

Area school principals have high expectations for this school year and they encourage parents to make sure their children are on time and have a positive attitude.

Cedar Park Elementary principal Bertram Pickney said his administration has renovated the school inside-and-out to make it more attractive. He also encourages parents to get involved with their children’s education.

“We’ve installed carpet, worked on restrooms, painted, scrubbed floors and replanted shrubberies and flowers in the front of the school to beautify the school,” Pickney said.

“Know we’re in this educational journey as a team and we wish the best for all of our students. Complete your homework … spend at least 30 minutes each night reading.”

Sophia P. Kingston Elementary principal Robert Carter said when parents help children register, they can get an idea of how the school year will be from teachers.

“I will talk with Pre-K parents, let them know what to expect,” Carter said. “Make sure (children) are … accounted for because that’s how we get funded.”

Carter also said students should get a lot of rest the night before school begins.

“Get a good breakfast and be bright eyed and ready to go,” Carter said. “We’ll be stressing rules and regulations and get to know our boys and girls for the first couple of days … what are your hobbies? How many brothers and sisters?”

Byrd Elementary principal Beth Taylor said the school’s “Boo hoo breakfast” for pre-K students and their parents help students get acclimated.

“It lets children know parents are coming back (later) and by 1 p.m. or when they’re out on the playground, they forget about their parents,” Taylor said. “For older students, they can learn to support their teachers. (For parents), give kids a space and time to do homework and check it.”

Taylor said her goal is to make sure children enjoy coming to school.

“Starting the new school year is always exhilarating,” Taylor said.

“We want them (students) to enjoy it …when they get up in the morning, we want them to can’t wait to get into the classroom. That’s what I teach my teachers.”

School of Discovery principal Gerald Shirley said his ultimate goal is to make sure his sixth graders pass Adequate Yearly Progress, or AYP scores.

“We want to continue to reinforce basic skills students got in lower grades,” Shirley said. “Parents should make sure students have basic supplies … and open minds, ready to learn.”

Selma superintendent Don Jefferson said the school system has made tremendous strides over the years and he wants the trend to continue.

“We hope everything is in line as far as organizing and structure  … cleaning and maintenance,” Jefferson said. “We want students to come to a clean (and) … bright environment — ready to learn. We want to make sure our teachers and students come with a positive attitude.

“We’ve got a great plan in place to make sure needs are met,” Jefferson said. “Above all, we want to exercise patience, patience is a virtue.”

Charlene Williams, mother of four, said this year is exciting because her youngest will be enrolling for the first time at Cedar Park with her siblings.

“I have a 4-year-old that’s beginning pre-K which is exciting for her as well,” Williams said.

“I’m just making sure all school supplies are bought, they’re in proper dress code and everything’s prepared.”