The onus for the uniformed sighs of relief can be attributed to the official start of the academic school year for students at Jamestown Public Schools. JPS did start school a day behind some of the other school districts within Chautauqua County.

However, not all parents were happy that this was the first day of school.

“I’ve got mixed feelings about her going back to school,” said Steve Davis, regarding his daughter, a fifth grade student at Persell Middle School. “I’m blessed to be her father and it’s exciting to see her in this stage of life, but I also miss her when she’s gone for most of the day during school.”

Some parents couldn’t be more happy or excited about their children’s return to school.

Kindergarten teacher Phil Cammarata welcomes back students at C.V. Bush Elementary School. P-J photo by Christopher Blakeslee

“First day at a new school for Nicolas,” said Brittney Lewis, the mother of Nicolas Grzesiak, 10, a new, fifth grade student, at Persell. “It’s all new for him, but he’s ready to be back at school.”

Grzesiak talked about what he missed most during his summer break and about his anticipation of moving up a grade, and changing schools.

“I really missed my friends,” he said. “I’m excited to try a new school, but a little nervous too. All the teachers seem nice.”

Olivia Little, a former student at Washington Middle School and now a freshman at Jamestown High School said she’s ready for what the new school year will bring and is planning on trying out for the high school varsity wrestling team with her brother.

“I’m excited to be in high school,” she said. “My big brother is here, and he’s the one who got me into wrestling, so it will be cool to be on the same team as him.”

Dr. Kevin Whitaker, JPS Superintendent, greets a family at M.J. Fletcher Elementary School on the first day of the 2024-25 school year. P-J photo by Christopher Blakeslee

Little wrestled for the last two years as a Lobo at Washington Middle School.

Persell Middle School Principal Traci Thompson said the school’s staff met recently regarding the road construction which took place this summer at Baker Street and Hazeltine Avenue and is working to ensure a smooth and safe transition for students.

The y-shaped intersection is gone, to make way for a narrow, t-shaped intersection.

“One of the issues with that intersection near Persell is that as drivers would come down to Baker toward Persell to take a right (turn) on Hazeltine, their speed was not necessarily illegal, was just fast, especially when there are students who wanted to walk from one side of the road to the other said, Superintendent Kevin Whitaker, Jamestown Public Schools.

Now the intersection, Whitaker said, has much more of a 90-degree turn associated with it, so drivers will have to slow their vehicles more to be able to make the turn.

Several students wait to enter Persell Middle School Wednesday morning during the first day of school for Jamestown Public School.

As previously reported by The Post-Journal, the Seven-11 franchise owner of the store located at 321 Hazeltine Ave. took a shellacking this summer during the reconstruction of the intersection. However, Peter Weinreich is now reporting that sales are increasing and with the start of the new school year he’s hopeful business will return to normal.

From left, Nicolas Grzesiak, 10, a fifth grade student, at Persell Middle School and his mother Brittney Lewis, Wednesday, give a thumbs-up to signal they’re ready to start the school year. Grzesiak is a first year middle school student. P-J photo by Christopher Blakeslee

A bus drops off students Wednesday morning at Persell Middle School, 375 Baker St. during the first day back to school for Jamestown Public Schools. P-J photo by Christopher Blakeslee