Beaufort County Schools staff are preparing for the first day of school on Monday.

From getting classrooms ready to settling into new positions, teachers across the county are counting down the days.

Alicia Vosburgh, principal of Chocowinity Primary School, said one of the first things teachers must do is know the basics about their incoming students.

“Teachers must make sure they are prepared by reviewing the cumulative folders of their students, so there will be no surprises regarding allergies, learning concerns or family issues,” Vosburgh said. “Teachers must know what their procedures will be because it is crucial from day one to teach and implement the expectations and procedures.”

Administrators also meet with the teachers to discuss changes, review data from the previous year and complete any necessary training, she said.

Jennifer Walker, a teacher at Eastern Elementary School, said her school holds a school-wide meeting to welcome the staff back and hosts a parent orientation to knock out some of the paperwork requirements early.

Vosburgh said she likes to start out by celebrating her school’s accomplishments from the year before as a way to boost morale, including the monthly Braves Teacher Award, which went to Lynn Whittington this month for organizing the classroom murals.

“I strive to make my meetings upbeat and use teaching strategies that engage the teachers to collaborate with other colleagues,” Vosburgh said.

Although the overall mood is a positive one, each school year brings with it a new set of challenges.

“As for our school, we are having to make many adjustments due to a massive budget cut in personnel, leaving us with less (teaching assistants),” Walker said. “It is becoming more and more difficult to juggle all the things we are required to do each day and to consistently provide a nurturing environment.”

No matter, Walker is bracing herself to face the challenges and remains positive.

“As always, I am feeling positive, excited, a little exhausted, but ready to start a new year,” she said.

“The excitement in the building is contagious,” Vosburgh said.