LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) – Summer is officially over for Lima City School students as they returned to the classroom Wednesday.
Unity Elementary hosted its annual “Clap-In,” where teachers, administrators, city leaders, family, and community members lined the halls to greet students on their first day of school. The event brought plenty of smiles, though a few students appeared unsure of what was happening. Lima City Council President Jamie Dixon said it’s important to show students they are supported.
“We want to make sure that we have a place that is able to teach the children the wisdom, the knowledge, the tools, the skills that they need to have, but ultimately knowing that the community is rallying behind them,” Dixon said. “Because every time that we make sure that community is around, that the kids have the support and the love they have, they'll be more than willing to excel.”
The “Clap-In,” which often turned into hugs, served as a warm welcome to the new school year. “Sparty” the Spartan mascot and new Lima City Schools Superintendent Andre Rudolph also attended the morning festivities.
