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Smith Middle School Off To A Good Start

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By COURTNEY CAIRNS PASTOR

The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 27, 2008

CITRUS PARK - Science teacher Janice Robbins made the most of the calm before students arrived last week by stringing shiny red streamers between columns to welcome children to the new Smith Middle School.

She had taught at Farnell and loved it, but she was excited to make a change because of the reputation of Smith's principal, Kathy Flanagan, and the chance to work at a new school.

"I've always had that desire to open a new school," she said. "With Kathy Flanagan as principal, you can't go wrong."

Students arrived Aug. 18 for Hillsborough County's first day of school, inaugurating their new building with shouts and laughter. Sgt. Paul R. Smith Middle School opened behind Citrus Park Elementary, the first middle school to come to northwestern Hillsborough since Farnell and Martinez in 2002.

Smith this year will serve about 1,000 students who would otherwise have been assigned to Walker and Davidsen. Although changing schools can be tough, some of the students who transferred were excited about the fresh start.

"I thought it would be cool," said Kiara Mobley, 11, a seventh-grader who attended Davidsen last year. "I like changing schools."

She will miss some friends, but others from Davidsen moved with her. Kiara was looking forward to joining Smith's orchestra and hoped to play the violin like her older brother.

Jenna Baglin, a seventh-grader, had been assigned to Walker. Moving to Smith put her closer to her older sister, a freshman at Sickles, and her younger sister, who attends neighboring Citrus Park Elementary.

"I change schools a lot, so it was OK," said Jenna, 12. "I just introduce myself because I know some people are really shy."

For Valerie White, it was her second first school. An eighth-grade reading teacher at Smith, White worked for Davidsen Middle when it opened in 2000. What she has learned is that every school and every opening is different.

When teachers arrived at Davidsen, all of its furniture was in place and all of its contractors had left. Work was still being done on Smith when teachers arrived earlier this month. By the time the doors opened to students, rooms were ready and landscaping complete, although the media center was awaiting books and construction was under way on Citrus Pointe Drive.

White was ready for a change and liked the chance to work with Flanagan. She also knew she would come into the school familiar with some of the students.

Flanagan said the school's debut went well. More than 900 children showed up for the first day, a good number considering the threat of Tropical Storm Fay. She also was pleased that the school had to turn away only two students for not having their required immunizations. They promised to get their shots that day.

Bus and car transportation provided the only glitches. Construction and an unfamiliar school layout had some cars going into lots they were not supposed to use. "Parents are very, very supportive," Flanagan said.

Reporter Courtney Cairns Pastor can be reached at (813) 865-1503 or cpastor@tampatrib.com.

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