Photos by JUSTIN COOK The Roanoke Times

Preschool teacher Jen Chechile helps Gracie Quesenberry, 4, pick out her lunch Monday during the first day of school at Eastern Montgomery Elementary School in Elliston.

Principal Denise Boyle consoles Brennon Tincher, 8, who felt sick during the first day of school at Eastern Montgomery Elementary School.

| Caleb Fleming

caleb.fleming@roanoke.com, 381-1627

ELLISTON -- Students poured into Eastern Montgomery Elementary School for the first time Monday morning, captivated by its size and untrodden hallways.

And while the first day of school brings mixed emotions, any thoughts of hesitation were vanquished by the glistening floors and vibrantly painted walls of Montgomery County's newest school.

The $26 million project now houses 518 students and 60 teachers, said Principal Denise Boyle. The school is a combination of students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, many of whom previously attended Shawsville or Elliston-Lafayette elementary schools.

Boyle said one first-grader walked into the school Monday and exclaimed it was "bigger than Walmart."

Another teacher was thrilled about the size of the restrooms, explaining that in the past, two students needing to use the bathroom could stall class for 15 minutes.

The student capacity is 600, and in addition to classroom space, the building also has multiple playgrounds and computer labs, an oversized gymnasium, and two rooms each for art and music.

Boyle addressed different grades throughout the day, emphasizing the building was a gift and that everyone "owed a big thank you" to the school board and taxpayers.

She told the third-grade class they should be proud to be the first of its kind at the new school. Boyle stressed student safety and went over the code of conduct.

"This is how you stay out of trouble forever," Boyle told the students. "Treat everyone with respect ... We don't have bullies at Eastern Montgomery Elementary School."

Superintendent Brenda Blackburn and school board member Drema Foster attended the meeting with the third grade. Blackburn said the school was so nice it made her "want to be a third-grader again."

The community has been wowed by the new school, Foster said, adding that she was impressed by how smoothly the first day had progressed.

Boyle said the morning was hectic, with what seemed like "a million kids in the cafeteria for breakfast." She said kindergarten and first-grade students spent time learning numbers to use when purchasing food.

And for the students being educated in a fresh environment, the school's glistening tile floors and walls were appreciated, though perhaps not as much as the people inside.

Four-year-old Abby Lane pointed to the cafeteria ceiling when asked what she liked about her first day of school. She admitted she liked her classroom, and then shyly said her favorite part was her teacher, Jen Chechile.

First-grader Laken Smith said her favorite part was the classroom and all the cool stuff in it. Each classroom at EMES is outfitted with a SMART Board and individual storage space.

Foster attended Shawsville Elementary School and said "it was a nice school, but it didn't have all the learning environments" that EMES does.

She pointed to the map of the Western Hemisphere in the school's entryway and enhanced capacity for learning in the hallways.

Six-year-old Lance Webster, a first-grader, said his favorite class was music and favorite instrument the trumpet.

Lance said he also enjoyed physical education class, and his favorite addition to the school was a more comfortable gym floor.

"If you fall on the floor this year it won't hurt so bad," he said. "This floor is kind of wooden, and the old one was kind of concrete."

The school's gymnasium has six basketball courts.

And for some students, the first day of school in a new building is less about the new building and more about the relationships it rekindles.

Seven-year-old Dakota Broughman, a second-grader, said her friends at school were the best part about being back.

On Saturday, parents and students got their first peeks at the new school during an open house and family fun event. Students jumped on inflatable games and chased one another while some families visited their children's classrooms and greeted teachers.

"It's big!" said third-grader Adam Phoenix, a transplant from Shawsville Elementary School.

He said he was worried about finding his way around the new building, which is shaped into pods for the lower and higher grades.

Still, other youngsters were excited for the consolidated school.

"It's pretty nice," said 9-year-old Maci Helmick.

She said she looked forward to the mountainous view outside her window, and spending time with friends joining her from Elliston-Lafayette Elementary School.

Anna L. Mallory contributed to this report.