Teachers, staff and a student who spoke in a recorded meeting said the first day of the school year at Craven County Schools centers on welcoming students, building classroom culture and helping children feel safe and ready to learn.

A teacher said, “Big hugs and big smiles. When they come in, I want them to feel welcome. I want them to feel like they're coming back home. So I like to greet them by name. I like to give them big hugs and high fives and just tell them that I'm so happy to see them and to welcome them back.”

Another teacher said the first day is an opportunity to establish expectations and relationships: “I love the first day of school because it's the opportunity to create a culture in your classroom where students feel safe and loved, and they're excited to learn. And then we spend the first day getting to know each other and doing activities for things that they might be interested in. But my main goal on the first day is that students feel safe and welcome.”

A speaker who identified as a student described peers and instructors positively: “Teachers, like, they're cool, funny. Some of my classmates are, like, caring. If you're in fifth grade, you better hope you get coach Cuba. Like, the how great the teachers are here in the times because she was just like the funniest teacher that I have. They just like some of them are funny, some of them are like respectful.”

A different teacher emphasized the emotional safety that supports learning: “The first day of the school year is really magical. They are super excited. They're ready to be here. So just being a part of that and smiling and hugging them and helping them feel safe and secure, is just the best part. I mean, they they're just here and they're ready to learn.”

A school staff member summarized the district’s message to families: “Families know their children will be cared for, supported, and challenged to grow. Our schools focus on meaningful learning, innovation, and authentic experiences that strengthen both students and the community we serve.”

There were no formal motions, votes or policy decisions recorded in the provided transcript. The statements describe classroom practices and district aspirations rather than new or amended policies. The record does not specify when these remarks were offered in a public agenda or comment period, nor does it identify individual speakers by name beyond the generic speaker labels used in the transcript.