HOUMA -- For Justice Smith, a fourth-grader at Acadian Elementary, the first day of school could not come soon enough.

"I waited for school to come," the 10-year-old said. "Ever since I got off of school, I waited for school to start."

Justice is one of about 19,000 Terrebonne Parish students who returned to school this morning for the start of a new school year.

To prepare for the wave of new and returning students, faculty and staff lined up on the east-Houma campus to greet the youngsters and guide them to their seats before the bell rang. Each was armed with numerous rosters to help guide students, some accompanied by parents, to the appropriate classroom.

The elementary school, which serves preschool through fourth grade, was supposed to have 770 students enrolled this year, Principal Arthur Joffrion said.

Though the new year was just minutes old, the first day was trouble-free.

"Everything has gone very, very smoothly," Joffrion said "For this school year, as always, I hope that all of our students do well on standardized tests and that they all be productive and successful."

Jutta Bourgeois, the computer-lab teacher, was manning the door to the cafeteria, where a first-grade orientation was taking place. Bourgeois greeted each new student, determined who their teacher’s name and directed them to the correct table. More than 100 first-graders will be attending Acadian Elementary this year, school officials said.

"We are trying to make it as comfortable as possible and wearing our smiles," she said. "Last year with Katrina, it was so chaotic, I really hope they have a nice and relaxing school year."

Bourgeois’ sentiments were echoed by Acadian Assistant Principal Ellen Lusco, who said she’s hopeful the school year will be uninterrupted.

"I’m looking forward to a new school year and no hurricanes," she said. "A lot of the kids look happy to be here, and we are excited to have them."

With a 7:15 a.m. start time, students at Ellender Memorial High School in east Houma started filing into school hallways early. Principal Marilyn Schwartz was there to help guide them.

"We started off fairly well," Schwartz said. "We didn’t have any schedule concerns. One of our hopes for the new year is to build off the success of last year."

In the parking lot just prior to the bell that signaled the day’s start, freshman Sarah Verdin of Dulac and her older sister, senior Angelle Verdin, were preparing for the new year.

"I’m excited but kind of nervous too," Sarah, 15, said, adding she’s unsure about what high school will be like.

Angelle, 18, who drove the two to school, was enthusiastic about starting her last year at Ellender. Having her little sister by her side was an added bonus, she said.

"I like it because I get to show her around the school and hang out more," Angelle said.

Junior Megean Pierre, 17, was just as excited to be back on campus. The Village East resident said her goal for the new school year is to focus on graduating and eventually go on to college.

"I think I’m going to have a wonderful year," Megean said. "The only thing I don’t like about school is the time we have to get up. It’s depressing."

Awaiting the calm before the storm was math teacher Sarah Adams, who has the first period of the day off. Adams, who has been teaching for four years, said she’s happy to be back at Ellender with her fellow educators.

"I’ve just been drawing from things that I’ve learned," she said. "I’m just trying to brainstorm on how to keep the students engaged ."

Houma Junior High’s 1,050 students also started school at 7:15 a.m..

"We had a very smooth opening," said Principal Tom Soudelier. "It was wonderful." Soudelier said he anticipates the rolls to increase to 1,100 or more by week’s end.

"I’m just looking forward to a good year," he said. "We would like to have a real year that is not broke up like last year. It was so hard on the kids, and they handled it so well."

Terrebonne Parish schools Superintendent Ed Richard said he planned to spend the majority of the day visiting various schools and greeting students and teachers.

He had already been to a few as of 9 a.m.

"What I have noticed personally, and I think my staff would agree, the principals and teachers at the schools are excited to be back and the students are also excited to be back," he said this morning. "Despite the heat, everyone seems to be in a good mood."

my son is the pic!!!! i have him circled!!!!