Throughout the day, Tommy Wells has been visiting several of our Ward 6 schools for the first day of the new school year. We’ve also had staff out at various schools as well. We’ll update throughout the day with reports as Tommy and staff call in with updates. But you can also follow Tommy on Twitter as he checks in from various schools. Here are his latest Tweets from @TommyWells: 

"1st day of school! Starting at Tyler w/ new principal Fentress. School was rehabbed over the summer"

"Tyler looks great. Paint nearly dry. Love the back yard amphitheater made of boulders"

"On to Amidon/Bowen with new principal Knight."

"Look forward to seeing the Emilia Reggio program at Miner!"

"Now going to Jefferson Middle School new principal Patricia Pride"

"Impressed w/ volunteers at the SW schools. Joined by the PTA pres for Jeff, Ray Russell"

"Great tour of Miner. The teaching garden is amazing - ate a cherry tomato with a piece of rosemary."

"Off to visit Walker Jones K thru 8. Beautiful new school w/ city garden."

"The farm pic: http://yfrog.com/iyg8rhj"

"Wow. Great energy at Walker Jones with Principal Martin. School population way up. Offered me fresh squash."

"Now at JO Wilson. Generally Ward 6's highest performing elementary school."

"Each school I visit today has greater than projected enrollment - not sure if it is an anomaly or not."

Staff were also out at schools this morning.

From Linda O’Brien: “Things at Brent Elementary look great this morning. There are some issues we’re hearing about regarding after-school care. We’re working to help sort that out quickly.”

From Charles Allen: “Stuart-Hobson looks great. Lots of parents walking their kids to school today. The students are meeting in the playground to get their homeroom assignments and then headed into the cafeteria to grab breakfast. I checked in with the main office as well and they seemed to be on top of everything and said things are going well so far.”

From Anne Phelps: “Maury looks great! A very happy day for parents and students. Everyone was lined up outside to get their classroom assignments before heading indoors. The new doors and entryways -- with windows! -- look great. Fresh paint and a great 1st day.”

Also from Anne Phelps: "Eliot-Hine looked quiet - in a good way. Most students were already in the classroom by the time I got there. The principal said enrollment was up and I talked with security officers who said it was "smooth sailing"."

And another from Anne Phelps: "The principal at Payne Elementary said things went well. Tommy's visit with Allen Lew 6 weeks ago to highlight concerns with the playground has paid off -- the new playground is under construction and will hopefully be open soon. The school has a great new marquee sign that lets everyone know the school is open and ready to go!"

From Naomi Mitchell: "Watkins Elementary opened this morning with parents walking their children to school on this first day.  Lines formed before 8:00 am for sign in and for parents to check lists as each class gathered to walk together to their classrooms.  The building entryway has a great board displayed with pictures and names of all the school personnel and their position, along with welcome signs in several languages."

From Adam Maier: “I was welcomed at the door by the Ludlow-Taylor Elementary PTA, including the PTA President; an alum of Ludlow Taylor and there with her 5 kids who have all been enrolled at the school as well. Talked with another parent (also a Ludlow-Taylor alum; and Duke Ellington alum) and he said he was very excited the school now has a full time music teacher. It was a great morning.”

We'll update this posting as we get more reports in. Do you have an update of your own? Are things going well on the 1st day of school? Use the comments section below to let us know.