Dishman McGinnis teachers have welcome back to school parade for students

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – School start time is ticking down, and one Bowling Green school is already greeting its students with a honk of a horn.

“We’re so excited to get out into the neighborhood, and back-to-school season is among us, and so we wanted to do some home visits with students,” said Lizzie Brown, the principal of Dishman McGinnis Elementary.

A big yellow school bus cruised down the west end neighborhood but not with your typical passengers. Dishman McGinnis teachers filled the bus as a welcome back special parade to greet students before the school year starts.

“We actually were thinking back to COVID days. We did a teacher parade. We all got in our cars, and we honked our horns because we missed seeing our kids’ faces,” Brown said.

At nearly every stop, they were greeted with smiles from kids who missed their teachers, candy and a ton of bubbles. The newly appointed principal of Dishman McGinnis Elementary, Lizzie Brown, said starting the year by putting the unity in community is what makes bonds grow at the school.

“We thought this would be really fun not only to see our neighborhood, be out in the community but also a team bonding moment for our staff,” she said.

This is Brown’s first year as the principal after serving more than half of a decade at the school.

“I was blessed to be an instructional coach here for six years prior to becoming principal. So, our previous principal taught me and showed me different things, and I thought you know what I think I can handle that,” Brown said.

She said teachers preparing for the new year can be tough, but students will always be the first choice.

“I think a challenge for us is making sure and ensuring that we’re meeting all our students’ needs, everything in a single day, and that’s just a challenge of any classroom teacher. So, I’m hopeful that I can be supportive of our teachers and able to meet those needs,” Brown said.

For the Dishman Purples, Brown said to “get onboard” and “see you on the first day back to school.”

“Come in with a great attitude and be excited. It’s going to be a great year,” said Brown.