New schools open in York County

ROCK HILL, S.C. -- Let the school year begin for York County schools. Students headed back to school Wednesday.

There's always a newness in the air, but even more so when a brand new school is opening.

Two new schools opened in Rock Hill this year -- Mount Holly Elementary on Porter Road and Dutchman Creek Middle on Mount Gallant Road.

There was also a big first for parents at Dutchman Creek Middle. Seventh grader Ashley VanBoven says it was kind of weird having her dad sit by her in class, but she adds, "But it was pretty cool."

Moms and dads were invited to hang out for the entire first day of school.

"I helped my daughter with lockers that are new, so they stick a little," says Laurie Ondus.

In class, in the hall, and at lunch parents got to experience the full school day. 

For mom and daughter duos Laurie and Lillian Ondus and Melissa and Bridgett Vencill, it's also their first impressions of the brand new Dutchman Creek Middle School.

"It's huge, bigger than I thought," says seventh-grader Lillian Ondus.

"We got to tour the school, meet her home base teacher, learn some of the rules, meeting PTA parents," said Melissa Vencill.

They also got to meet Principal Norris Williams.

"Most of the parents have had the opportunity to actually see this building go up, and so now they enter and there's an awe moment," says Williams.

Williams made sure everyone shared in his excitement by telling students and parents, "They set the bar for eighth-grade students from here out. They're the first group of eighth-graders to ever go to high school coming from Dutchman Creek. Our sixth-graders will be the first group to attend three years at this particular middle school."       

Parents also got to hear about safety features at the school. There's dozens of inside and outside cameras, and the school can go into complete lockdown mode with the push of a button.