The first day of school is always like Christmas morning – the excitement, the joy, the nervousness and anticipation of what’s to come. Every year, I can’t wait to see the students walk in. That always fills my bucket. 

Every morning 25 or so buses drive up to the school and unload about 800 students. I love to stand in the middle of that mass of humanity as they pour inl. Just being part of that wave of excitement is thrilling. You see it all – the kids with their new clothes, the shy ones, friends seeing each other after a long summer. It’s like a jolt. You know you’re at the beginning of something great.   

At Fountain-Fort Carson High School, we have about 2,000 students. Roughly half are military connected and a large portion are new to the school. In a military community, the churn is constant. Students come and go throughout the year because of their families’ deployments and moves. Our job is to make every student feel like they belong. 

Our theme is “Be Present.” Every staff member and student knows it. It means bringing who you are every day and owning it. It’s about being there for one another and knowing that, no matter what happens, we’ll do it together.  

Too many students try to be perfect or fit in. That’s not what our school is about. We tell them: Bring your own story, bring your personality. Don’t try to hide it. Be who you are and know that it’s safe to be that person here.  

That starts with our teachers. I tell them not to get stuck in the curriculum, the tests or benchmarks. I tell them, “Stop. Get to know the people you are teaching.” Relationships are the No. 1 thing in our building. Once those relationships are in place, kids will do amazing things.  

At the beginning of every school year, we teach a few simple school norms.  

The first is how we greet each other. If someone asks, “How are you doing?” the response is, “Good and you?” Reciprocation is the key. You’re acknowledging another person. We shake hands and look each other in the eye.   

We open doors for one another. We don’t let doors shut in people’s faces.  

And we leave every space better than how we found it. That means picking up after yourself and others. If you have respect for the building, you have respect for each other. 

To reinforce this culture, we give out “Trojan Be Present Coins” – similar to military challenge coins – when we see someone exemplifying those values. If I see a student helping another student who has dropped their books, that kid is getting a coin.  

Every year brings renewed excitement, but I know starting school can also be stressful. 

Last week, I saw a student on the first day who was clearly nervous. I told her, “You’re going to find someone today who you really connect with and by the end of the year, you’re going to have many people you connect with. Trust me. If you open yourself up to this school and this school year, you are going to have the greatest experience.” 

That’s my advice to every student and teacher starting school this year. Open up. Be your true self. And, above all, be present for yourself and everyone else.  

Tony Greco is the principal of Fountain Fort Carson High School and has been in Fountain Fort Carson School District 8 for 18 years.