Classes began for a half-day Wednesday at all schools in the Jamestown Public School District.

At Lincoln Elementary School, members of the faculty and staff were helping students get to the right places. Signs with teachers’ names lined sidewalks showing students where to find while some teachers had oversized yellow pencils to help students find their ways. And several school teachers and staff wore blue shirts with yellow lettering. On the front of the shirts read “Abe’s Way Makes $ense.”

Several parents were quick to take selfies with their children, and also record movies and photos with their smartphones. The cool temperature didn’t not have an impact as several students looked for their friends, said good-bye to their parents, and entered the school to begin another year.

Principal Katie Russo said that every year she tries to come up with an idea for the first day that is a photo opportunity for parents.

Lincoln Elementary School Principal Katie Russo stands Wednesday with an oversized pencil. Abe’s Way Pencils have the grade that the children are in, and it’s a great way for kids to get excited about the first day of school with their families, Russo said. P-J photo by Michael Zabrodsky

“This year we created our Abe’s Way Pencils, and many of them (pencils) have the grade that the children are in, and this is just great way for kids to get excited about the first day of school with their families … and maybe get rid of those first day jitters and start the year off strong,” Russo said.

Superintendent Dr. Kevin Whitaker, who also was at Lincoln, shared Russo’s enthusiasm.

“We are excited to have to have them all back,” Whitaker said about the new and returning students.

At Jamestown High School, students will be following a new cellphone policy.

In May, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced the distraction-free law will take effect this fall for the 2025-2026 school year. The state law requires bell-to-bell restrictions on smartphones in K-12 schools. The requirement also applies to charter schools as well as Boards of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES).

Many parents, students, teachers, and staff gather outside Wednesday at Lincoln Elementary School for the first day. P-J photo by Michael Zabrodsky

Recently the school board learned that JHS students will use locked pouches to hold their cellphones. District teachers and administrators will have devices to unlock the pouches.

As part of the procedure, students will arrive in the morning with their internet-enabled electronic devices, including smartwatches, inside the locked pouch.

Ninth- through 11th-grade students will enter JHS through the front doors, and 12th-grade students will enter JHS through the school store doors.

At the end of the school day, students will get their pouches unlocked with devices that are located near exit doors. She noted there are different types of locking devices: table mounted, wall mounted, and handheld.

For more information on the district cellphone policy, visit jpsny.org/rescources/phone-free-schools.

A banner that reads “Happy 1st Day of School” greeted students at Lincoln Elementary School P-J photo by Michael Zabrodsky