A new year begins at Southside Elementary School

Seven-year-old Mahogany McClendon couldn’t wait to return to Southside Elementary School, when Sarasota County Schools welcomed students back on Aug. 10.

“She’s been talking about Ms. Hazelton all week. She’s so excited,” said her mother Neshia McClendon, referring to second-grade teacher Kirsten Hazelton. 

Principal Jamie Hannon was likewise eager to welcome kids new and returning to the school.

“We're so excited to be back and have the kids in the building,” she said. “We work all summer preparing for them, and we're ready to get started.”

Parents said they were looking forward to their kids receiving a top-notch educational experience during the school year. 

“This is such an amazing school,” said Ryan Skrzypkowski, whose children 5-year-old Harper Skrzypkowski and 7-year-old Charlie Skrzypkowski both attend Southside Elementary. “The teachers are so invested in the students. It’s almost like they embrace them as their own, and they do everything they can for them to progress.”

“The kids have never come home and had a bad day, and the kids have never not been excited to go to school,” said mother Theresa Skrzypkowski. "It’s never been a chore to get them out the door.”

Although there was some sadness surrounding the saying of goodbyes, many were eager to get started on the new year.

“It’s good to get back into a routine,” said Kristin Musolino, who had just dropped off her daughter, Sofia Musolino, 6. “It feels like I’ll miss her all day, but it’s good that she’s going to have a great education and great experiences.”