MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- Students, staff and parents gathered in the Mathew C. Perry Elementary School gymnasium to ring in the first day of school aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Aug. 31, 2015.
Students lined up by grade while parents crowded around the perimeter to snap the age old first day of school picture. Bright and a few misty eyes watched and waited for the ringing of the bell that symbolizes the start of a new school year.
Dr. Suzanne Landrum, principal of M. C. Perry Elementary School, said she started the tradition of ringing in the new school year three years ago when she first got to the air station.
“For the last three years, the station’s commanding officer has rang the bell,” said Landrum. “It is important for the CO to be present because it lets the parents and students know that they are not excluded from the station’s mission. I wanted to show that we are partners.”
After the bell rang, students filed to their respective classrooms to begin the journey of learning. Landrum has high expectations for her students and they have risen above and beyond. M.C. Perry Elementary School is the Blue Ribbon School of the Pacific and the principle’s ultimate goal is to keep that status.
“I am so excited to see what this year brings,” said Landrum. “I have three main goals for this school year; take risks, take responsibility and take care of each other. If everyone takes care of each other, then each of us will be taken care of.”
Col. Robert V. Boucher, commanding officer of MCAS Iwakuni, commended the school for their academic excellence while addressing students, parents and staff before ringing the bell.
“Get involved with the students and school, because it really is second to none,” said Boucher. “I am looking forward to working with the school and getting involved in the community.”
Boucher and Landrum both said they want parents to be the partners to success. They don’t want a disconnect between the parents, students and the school.
Landrum said she hopes that not just parents volunteer their time, but members of the community as well who want to be a part of the classroom environment.