Opp City Schools kicked of the new school year Monday and officials reported the first day of school went off without a hitch.

“It went pretty smooth,” Opp City Schools Superintendent Michael Smithart said. “The biggest first day issues are usually transportation and managing lunch and both of those went well. Our numbers appear close to what they have been for the past few years.”

At Opp Elementary School, first-year principal Shawn Short reported a great start.

“We had a lot of parents dropping their children off,” he said. “But we’ve have an awesome start.”

Short commended his teachers for working hard the last few weeks to get everything in order.

In Cindy Pierce’s first grade class students read the book “First Day Jitters” and enjoyed Jitter Juice and colored a Jitter Bug.

Short reported there were 575 students at OES includes students in grade kindergarten through fourth grade and two Pre-K classes.

At Opp Middle School, principal Sharon Spurlin said they had a great day.

“The bottom fell out as we were about to dismiss schools,” she said. “That always makes for an interesting day…it makes for a very interesting first day. Our staff went on rainy day schedule. The parents were patient and calm and all our kids were delivery safely.”

Spurlin said they are running about 100 students per grade level. OMS includes grades five through eight.