AME students back in school

HOLMES BEACH – For some children, it was their first day of kindergarten, and emotions ranged from excitement to just plain nervousness. For fifth graders, it was the first day of their last year at Anna Maria Elementary School (AME), and they were ready to enjoy a year of being at the top of the elementary school food chain.

Dressed to impress, with many sporting new backpacks and their personal favorite outfit, students were ready for the first day of school on the morning of Aug. 10. Parents lined up to drop off their children at AME as Principal Mike Masiello, the school staff, Holmes Beach Police Chief Bill Tokajer and several Holmes Beach police officers greeted parents and this year’s 206 students.

“We had a great turnout for back-to-school night. Parents and students were excited to meet the teachers,” Masiello said. “It’s wonderful to be back in session and see the kid’s smiling faces as they walked into the building for the first day of school. We look forward to a school year full of teaching, learning and all of the wonderful events that make AME such a great school.”

It wasn’t just staff and students who were excited to begin the new school year; parents were also ready for another year at the little school by the bay that many feel is a special privilege for their children to attend.

“My kids couldn’t wait to get into school this morning,” said Margie Messinger, who has three children at AME. “I have children in kindergarten, second and third grades. They were dressed up and ready to go, and there was quite the welcoming committee this morning. The principal, chief of police and just about everybody was out there; it was great.”

“This is one of the reasons we live here. Anna Maria Island is already amazing, but this school is the cherry on top,” second-grader parent Michelle Urbiola said. “They brought in the Guy Harvey program and I can’t have my kids anywhere else. This is the best place for them and I’m just so grateful.”