Backpacks and Hardhats Make for an Exciting First Day

"Good morning....welcome back! Trickle into the courtyard so you stay out of the way of the construction," said teacher David Ortolan as he greeted students as they stepped off their SamTrans bus Wednesday morning.

It could have been a hectic confluence: nearly 1,000 sixth, seventh and eighth graders bounding onto a school campus still occupied by dozens of construction workers, scaffolding and heavy equipment, but school staff and officers had a strategic plan for ensuring the first-day-of-school arrival process went smoothly.

are in place and ready for students, while other projects on the campus are still in the works. Work is expected to be completed by December.

Belmont police officers were also on hand to help with traffic flow and to instruct parents on the correct drop-off procedures in the busy parking lot.

Ralston students will be greeted by a : in addition to a new principal, , and dean of students, Jonathan Sanchez, Ralston will welcome former principal in a newly created position-- Administrative Director of 21st Century Learning.