Update: Police Say No Problems For Start of First Day

Decatur Police said the first day of school started without any problems on the roads.

"We just had a lot of extra folks on the road and a lot of people walking and biking," Deputy Chief Keith Lee said Tuesday afternoon. Lee said police beefed up the number of on-the-street officers for the first day of school.

The most excitement occurred as students entered the 4/5 Academy at Fifth Avenue, a brand-new building that houses about 500 kids. Leslie Fouts and her son, fourth-grader William, paused outside the school after she took his photo.

"I'm unbelievably impressed," she said, adding that her family recently moved from Smyrna to Decatur. "The staff has been terrific. ... I'm an architect and I'm impressed by the architecture."

Even the heavier-than-usual traffic was handled in good spirits. Bill Withers, a math teacher at the 4/5 Academy who stood out front directing cars said it wasn't so bad for a first day.

"If this is the worst we've got, it's perfect," he said.

Plenty of parents walked their kids to school, or rode bikes. Aiden Downey accompanied his daughter, fourth-grader Maeve, to the 4/5 Academy on bikes and said administrators may have underestimated the number of biking kids.

"They need more bike racks already," he said, pointing to the collection of parked two-wheelers.

Katrina Monroe controlled the crosswalk at Clairemont Elementary, where she's an assistant teacher. She said traffic not much of a problem at her school on the first day.

"We've perfected it as the years go by," said the seven-year employee. "Decatur is pretty much a walking community anyway."

Chuck Daniel walked his sons, second-grader Charlie and kindergarten student Max, to Clairemont Elementary. He said Charlie went to Oakhurst Elementary last year but they were redistricted into Clairemont. He said Max was "a little nervous, but that's to be expected." 

The school system opened with 9 percent more kids than last year and 75 more teachers to handle the larger student body. The old 4/5 academy became the K-3 Glenwood Elementary, the system's fourth elementary school.

In a letter to parents and students, Superintendent Phyllis Edwards said she's looking forward to the new school year.

"We are intent on the continued development of highly engaged students who are creative and collaborative," she said. "We know that they will be faced with many difficult decisions in the future and we hope to instill in them a belief in themselves as well as a creative and problem-solving mind."

Adding to all the activity, law enforcement officers conducted a crisis management drill from 8 a.m. to noon on the campus of Agnes Scott College. This drill will be led by college police in conjunction with several other municipal and county agencies. 

The starting and ending times for schools vary a little, so drivers should pay attention near schools.

The times are:

Decatur High, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Decatur Career Academy, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Renfroe Middle, 8:45 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.

4/5 Academy at Fifth Avenue, 8:45 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.

Glenwood Elementary, 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Clairemont Elementary, 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Oakhurst Elementary, 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Winnona Park Elementary, 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

College Heights Early Childhood Learning Center, 8 a.m to 2:30 p.m. (pre-K), 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. (0-3)