Gaston County students go back to school

Desmond Milligan · August 13

Some Woodhill Elementary School students rode to school on the bus with their Assistant Principal Whitney Hill, who was helping a new bus driver on their route.

Others ran up and hugged Principal Jaime Wallace at the school’s entrance, meeting her for the first time since she was transferred to Woodhill from Brookside Elementary School. All students were welcomed on the first day of the 2025-26 school year by Woodhill staff and community partners like volunteers with 101 Black Men of Highland.

According to Wallace, the first day of school is all about relationships and procedures.

On the first day, children are forming relationships with their teachers, peers and school administration.

An important part of the process in forming those relationships is, “showing the kids that they were missed, that they are loved,” she said.

Second grader Zoe Franco gives a hug to Tonya Campbell as she arrives for the first day of school early Wednesday morning, Aug. 13, 2025, at Woodhill Elementary School in Gastonia.

Wallace has been a principal for Gaston County Schools for 11 years, serving six at Gardner Park Elementary School and four at Brookside Elementary School, but she has worked in the district in other roles and schools for more than 20 years.

She was recently transferred to Woodhill Elementary School as part of the district’s Innovation Schools program, and held her eleventh “beginning of the year staff meeting,” which she said left her feeling more determined and “on fire,” for this school year than ever before.

Wallace said she had to call her husband after the meeting to talk about the positive energy and dedication she felt from Woodhill’s staff.

Moving forward into the school year, Wallace said her hope for Woodhill students is that they, “feel loved and supported, and that they show growth in all areas, socially, academically … I just want to see happy kids and families.”

Terry Barnwell greets students as they get off the bus for the first day of school early Wednesday morning, Aug. 13, 2025, at Woodhill Elementary School in Gastonia.

This article originally appeared on The Gaston Gazette: Class is officially back in session in Gaston County

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