Smiles, hugs and some jitters mark the first day of school in Ocean City

Some students were super-excited and some were a bit nervous, but most, if not all, flashed big smiles while marching through the front doors to begin their first day of school Tuesday.

They were greeted at the Ocean City Primary School by a rainbow-colored archway of balloons that served as the ideal photo-op for the students and their parents to mark the occasion.

A school banner at the front entrance proclaimed, “Welcome Back.”

“It’s a big day for the parents, teachers and students. It’s our first glance of how things will go,” said Cathy Smith, the primary school principal. “We try to make this the happiest and most welcoming day of the year. Going back to school is a big party.”

Students at Ocean City’s high school and intermediate school also began their first day of school Tuesday. Only a day earlier, they had celebrated Labor Day, the last day of their summer vacations.

The nearly 2,000-student district includes the high school, intermediate school and primary school. Sending districts are Sea Isle City, Upper Township, Corbin City and Longport.

Among the first primary school students to show up shortly after 8 a.m. were third grader Gavin Burgess, 8, and his 6-year-old sister, Denali, who is starting first grade.

“Are you a little nervous?” Gavin’s mom, Alexis Amoroso, asked her son.

Gavin just shook his head and smiled.

Asked what he was looking forward to the most on the first day of school, Gavin replied, “Seeing my friends.”

Gavin Burgess, 8, is entering the third grade.

Other students were eager to meet their new teachers. Some of the teachers and other staff members welcomed the kids with smiles, hugs and words of encouragement.

Maura Desmond escorted her 5-year-old son, Cameron Higbee, up the sidewalk to the school. She carried a sign that said, “Cameron’s first day of kindergarten, September 3rd, 2024.”

“It’s a lot for him because it’s a new school,” Desmond noted of her son, who went to school last year in Linwood.

Courtney Wilson accompanied her 6-year-old daughter, London Watson, to the front doors to begin her first day in first grade.

In between hugs with her mom, London said she was happy to see her friends again.

Joshua Tripp Jr. holds a sign announcing that it's his first day of kindergarten.

Another student, 5-year-old Joshua Tripp Jr., had plenty of company when he showed up for his first day of kindergarten. His father, Joshua Tripp Sr., his mother, Khatiya Blount, his grandfather, Mark Tripp, and his grandmother, Del-Rita Hawks, were all part of little Joshua’s family support group.

“I’m excited to meet new friends,” Joshua said while holding a small sign that said, “First Day of Kindergarten.”

By 8:35 a.m., all of the primary school students were inside and ready for the official start of classes for the 2024-2025 academic year.

Cathy Smith, the primary school principal, explained that it took a lot of planning to get ready for the first day.

She thanked Ocean City’s new school superintendent, Dr. Christian Angelillo, for the amount of support he has given the staff and community since beginning his job on Aug. 1.

“He came right in and is trying to get to know everyone and be as supportive as possible,” Smith said.

School District Business Administrator Tim Kelley, in white shirt, and Superintendent Christian Angelillo enter the school to welcome the students.

Angelillo, who was on hand to greet the primary school students Tuesday, expressed his thanks to the Board of Education at a meeting in late August for the opportunity to lead the Ocean City school district.

“It’s been three weeks now that I’ve been here and quite frankly I couldn’t be more pleased with the work we are doing early on in my tenure,” he said at the meeting. “Thanks to everyone for making me feel welcome – that goes for the central office staff, the administrators, the teachers and the community at large.”

London Watson, a first grader, is looking forward to seeing her friends again at school.
Students head up the sidewalk to the primary school.
Health and wellness teacher Carrie Merritt, kneeling at right, welcomes the students.
Primary School Principal Cathy Smith is flanked by kindergarten teachers Brittney Biederman and Jen Blanc.
Maura Desmond accompanies her son, Cameron Higbee, on his first day of kindergarten.