At Lincoln, alumni gathered to make the day special. Community advocate Shavon Wilson greeted children with candy and inquired about the well-being of their loved ones, while graduates from the Lincoln High School class of 1983 brought a “carload of school supplies.”
“We brought over $2,000 worth of gifts,” said Antoinette Bonner Caldwell, a graduate from Lincoln High School, which once stood on the grounds of the current middle school.
“We were invited to welcome line and of course we said yes,” Caldwell said. “We’ll always take of our Tiger cubs.”
At Officer elementary, teachers and more than a dozen community members high-fived, hugged and cheered for students both eager and reluctant.
The president and vice president of East St. Louis’ NAACP chapter and members of the Greater New Hope Baptist Church waved to the crowds as they passed by.
Counselor Tabiko Timberson and reading aid Melody McNeely stood at the front as excited children ran into their open arms.
“This is going to be a good year,” Timberson said, “I already know it.”
Officer Elementary principal Darla Wall hugs a student as the school year opens on Aug. 14, 2023. Lincoln Middle School and Officer Elementary opened on the same day, each filled with staff and community partners cheering on students as they entered the building. Joshua Carter Belleville News-Democrat
Robin Witherspoon helps a student find their respective classroom during Lincoln Middle School’s first day of school on Aug. 14, 2023. Lincoln Middle School and Officer Elementary opened on the same day, each filled with staff and community partners cheering on students as they entered the building. Joshua Carter Belleville News-Democrat
Melody McNeely hugs a student during Officer Elementary’s first day of the school year on Aug. 14, 2023. Lincoln Middle School and Officer Elementary opened on the same day, each filled with staff and community partners cheering on students as they entered the building. Joshua Carter Belleville News-Democrat
Lincoln Middle School assistant principal Anjanette White points students to help desks on the first day of school Aug. 14, 2023. Lincoln held a host of community partners, who gave out school supplies, treats and encouragement to new and returning students. Joshua Carter Belleville News-Democrat
(L-R) Elizabeth Glascock, officer Nicholas Mueller, and East St. Louis NAACP vice president George McClellan give high-fives to students during Officer Elementary’s first day of school. Lincoln Middle School and Officer Elementary opened on the same day, each filled with staff and community partners cheering on students as they entered the building. Joshua Carter Belleville News-Democrat
Darresha Jumper helps a student find a classroom at East St. Louis’s Lincoln Middle School’s on the first day of Aug. 14, 2023. Lincoln Middle School and Officer Elementary opened on the same day, each filled with staff and community partners cheering on students as they entered the building. Joshua Carter Belleville News-Democrat
This story was originally published August 14, 2023 at 2:15 PM.
