Parents and Students Share Mixed Emotions
Back-to-School brings nerves and excitement across Corpus Christi ISD as parents and students shared these emotions, including Esperanza Moralez and Gabriel Nuñez, who were busy dropping off their children on the first day.
Moralez’s daughter, a first grader starting at Barnes Elementary, faced her new school with curiosity. Meanwhile, Nuñez began his morning early, sharing breakfast with his kindergartner before her big day at Menger Elementary.
“I’m nervous, but I’m also excited for her because she’s super excited,” Nuñez said. “When we met her teacher, she already found two friends at her table.”
His daughter proudly reminded him that she was ready, having already met her new classmates.
A Warm Welcome from the School Community
At Barnes Elementary, Principal Jennifer Aguilar and her staff prepared by running a first-day rehearsal. Students received an extra boost of encouragement when cheerleaders from King High School arrived to greet them.
For King High cheerleader Jaela Amador, who once attended Barnes herself, the moment was nostalgic. “I remember saying goodbye to my mom and seeing these kids cry for their moms too,” she said.
Despite some teary eyes, the morning brimmed with joy. Teachers and students exchanged high-fives, and third grader Lucas Narvaez shared that he had “at least two best friends” in his class.
New Year, New Rules and New Schools
The school year also introduced policy changes, including a new cell phone rule prohibiting personal device use during the day.
Two new campuses—Lexington Middle School and Hamlin Middle School—opened their doors. Hamlin saw enrollment jump by about 100 students compared to last year. Meanwhile, Lexington Middle welcomed around 500 students, many transferring from Kaffie Middle School and area elementary campuses.
Teacher Shortages and Staffing Efforts
The district worked hard to fill classrooms, hiring 257 new teachers before the start of the year, 180 of whom are first-time educators. Yet, more than 100 teaching positions remain vacant.
To address shortages, CCISD is relying on long-term substitutes and nearly 200 uncertified teachers, particularly in career and technical education, foreign languages, and other specialty areas.
Lexington Middle School’s First Day
At Lexington Middle, seventh graders Izabelle Huber and Malaika Phillips celebrated being classmates again after knowing each other since fifth grade. “The new campus is nice,” they agreed, and noted that it feels less crowded than Kaffie.
Principal Stevie-Rae Garcia personally welcomed students with orange “Lexington Gator” bracelets. “I’m excited to have the kids finally here to enjoy everything we’ve worked on,” Garcia said.
Inside classrooms, teachers wasted no time setting the tone. Art teacher Tina Saenz encouraged her students to explore new passions. “Use your time in middle school to try a bunch of different things,” she advised.
Facilities Still in Progress
Back-to-School brings nerves along with excitement at Lexington’s new campus, where the building was ready but landscaping remained bare due to drought restrictions. Superintendent Roland Hernandez explained that the school would not have a football field until more water becomes available. In the meantime, athletics will take place at Bill Witt Park, ensuring, as Hernandez assured, “The kids won’t miss out.”
A Positive Start Despite Challenges
From emotional farewells to new friendships, the first day across Corpus Christi ISD reflected resilience and optimism. While staffing gaps and unfinished facilities present challenges, the excitement of students and dedication of educators promise a strong start to the school year.