In preparation for the first day of school on Monday, teachers across Pearl River County are working to ensure every child’s first day will be welcoming and exciting.

Within the Pearl River County School District, high school science inclusion teacher Liz Smith put effort in to getting the support room set up with fun and engaging learning materials children could use in between classes.

As a break from the traditional classroom decoration scheme, the support room features novels, beanbags, quirky desks and other items that allows students to unwind and learn at the same time.

Smith said that children often take advantage of the relaxed atmosphere in the room to complete school work. Each year she introduces a new aspect to the room to encourage students to use it for study and play.

Discussions with other teachers led to the creation of a special section in the room featuring easy to understand study material that includes a vocabulary wall, testing schedules and binders filled with material discussed during class.

Teacher at in the District work toward the goal of making learning easier and fun while putting emphasis on holding students accountable, Smith said.

Pearl River Central Lower Elementary teacher Keely Eastridge is excited to see the kids come back to school. As such, she said she preparing to make their first day one to remember.

Teachers within the lower elementary incorporate a theme in the curriculum each year; this year’s theme will be Dr. Seuss and will task students to learn about the author his motivational work, she said.

Eastridge also plans to encourage students to learn to work as a team to discover new concepts while also providing individualized instruction to address a student’s needs.

Picayune School District teachers were also seen setting up their classrooms to welcome their students.

Sherry Yarborough been teaching at the Picayune School District’s Early Head Start for the past six years. Each summer before the start of school, she said she looks forward to being able to care for the infants and toddlers while helping them prepare for kindergarten and pre-school by teaching them the names of colors, how to count and the letters of the alphabet.

Chloe Peel will soon start her first day as a teacher at Picayune’s Early Head Start, so she’s been experiencing mixed emotions as she preparing to start a career she always wanted to do. In preparation she’s been decorating her classroom in a colorful manner that will keep their attention.

She plans to utilizing her passion for kids to introduce the toddlers and infants to new concepts.