A smooth first day at Eastbluff

Elise Gee

EASTBLUFF -- For the children at Eastbluff Elementary School,

Thursday wasn’t just the first day of school, it was the first day in a

brand new school.

The enthusiasm and excitement of parents in the courtyard of the

school Thursday morning was a far cry from the initial apprehension and

reluctance some initially felt after finding out that their kids would

have to leave nearby Lincoln school, a blue-ribbon school that was also

busting at the seams.

“I think the quality of what we’ve done so far is unmistakable,” said

PTA parent Carol Crane. “You can see it. You can feel it.”

On opening day, Eastbluff already boasts a 150-member PTA and a fund

of $30,000. Enrollment was also higher than expected.

Newport-Mesa Unified School District officials had projected that the

school would accommodate 265 children, said Principal Jo Ann Berbos. The

school anticipated about 300 students the first day, but as of Thursday

afternoon the number was 315 and growing.

There were a lot of late enrollments, especially in the number of

kindergarteners, said teacher Pat Simonian, who will share a class with

another teacher until her room is prepared.

“I think we have a lot of people who waited to see how our school was

completed,” Berbos said. “Parents called and said ‘We’ve been watching.’

”

But there are a number of other attractions that may have won over

parents who were holding out, PTA members and school officials said.

Those include before- and after-school day care provided by the

nonprofit Child Development Centers of Irvine, voluntary school uniforms

and a 30-computer Instructional Media Lab. The school is also within

walking distance of children who used to have to be bused to Lincoln,

parents said.

That fact, along with staggered starting times, helped alleviate

anticipated traffic problems in the neighborhood. The kitchen won’t be

operable until later this month after a health inspection, boxes still

need to be unpacked and landscaping has not begun, but these things

mattered little to families who were enjoying a new school of their own.

Eastbluff is also beginning traditions of its own, including a

schoolwide pledge of allegiance and song in the courtyard in the morning

that numerous parents and children said they enjoyed.

“I think they’re just so excited that we opened on time and see that

they have a neighborhood school,” Berbos said.