Although there were some minor traffic issues in places, the first day back to school for Bulloch County students went smoothly  Monday.   Bulloch County Assistant School Superintendent Charles Wilson said there are some minor adjustments to be made, since there have been a few changes in the school system this year.
    Students at Portal Middle/High School entered a brand-new facility, as did those at Julia P. Bryant Elementary School.  Traffic and parking were of some concern, although there were no major problems, he said.
    Mattie Lively Elementary students attended classes in the old Julia P. Bryant buildings, and Sallie Zetterower students experienced the very last “ first day” in the current location, because in January, they will transfer to the newly built Sallie Zetterower Elementary School on Cawana Road, he said.
    On the last “first day” at the old Sallie Zetterower Elementary, principal Todd Williford was wistful about the school and grounds that will be empty come January. The new school building is on schedule to open after everyone returns from Christmas vacation.
    “Today begins my tenth year at Sallie Z., and I was thinking this morning, as parents and children were coming in for the first day, about how I’ll miss the charm and memories of this school,” Williford said. “But then I think about the new memories we’ll create at the new school and the incredible learning atmosphere we’ll build and I’m excited about January as well.”
    Fifth grader Craig Pender also is excited about finishing up his Sallie Z. career at the new school.
    “I’ve been here since kindergarten and I love it, but I can’t wait to sit in my classrooms at the new school,” he said. “It’s also closer to my house!”
    Although  there are two elementary schools operating side by side on Stockyard Road (the old Julia P. Bryant, housing Mattie Lively students this year, faces Donnie Simmons Way, while the new Julia P. Bryant school faces West Main Street), traffic flowed rather smoothly Monday, Wilson said.
    “It was very busy, very congested,” he said. But there were no major problems and Statesboro Police kept things going. “It’s hard to guess how things will go the first week.” Parents who would normally allow children to ride the bus to school may drop them off the first week to ensure the adjustment goes well, and many parents who did not make the orientation and open house often use the first day of school to get acquainted with teachers and the new facility, he said.
    “We saw a few things that need to be addressed – minor adjustments,” he said.
    The parking areas at Portal Middle/High School are incomplete, but there is a designated area for student to park behind the bus loop near the tennis courts, Wilson said. Monday, many students and parents parked across U.S. 80, which is not acceptable, he said.
    Traffic was more congested than normal for Brooklet Elementary School, but Wilson attributed it to a higher-than-normal number of parents visiting the school on the first day.
    Holli Deal Bragg may be reached at (912) 489-9414.