By By SHERRY DIGMON
Advance Staff Writer
Brett McCraney may have been a little unsure about starting to school Friday morning. The kindergartner reported to Rachel Patterson Elementary School, joined by thousands of public school students across the county who were reporting to their own schools.
But for just a little while, Brett forgot any misgivings he might have had about school when he encountered the Church's Chicken chicken in front of the school.
The chicken was on hand to bring some smiles and lessen the tension.
Adrian Primm admitted to being a little nervous about starting to school. He's also a kindergarten student at RPES. He said he saw his room and met his teacher. Adrian said he was ready to start to school because he wants to learn about computers.
Rachel Patterson Principal Buck Powell reported fairly smooth operations at his school Friday morning. The main problem was traffic congestion as parents parked in front of the school and up and down Craig Street beside the school.
Powell said a few students reported to school without proper uniforms, but he said parents were very cooperative and he expects those students will be in uniform Monday.
Bus drivers, parents, and everyone else traveling on Highway 21 Friday morning ran into traffic congestion around the new Escambia County Middle School.
Atmore police officers were on hand to direct traffic in and out of middle school grounds.
Last week, the state set up drums to turn the four-lane highway near the school into a two-lane highway, making it easier for police to manage the traffic.
This too will pass when the state follows implements plans for traffic control around the school.