'I Got to Meet the Principal' Exclaims Riverhills Kid

Todd Connolly held up the book "Bedhead" for the incoming Riverhills Elementary School students sitting in front of him.

"What do you think it might be about?" the Riverhills principal asked.

Amira Souick, 6, raised her hand.

"It might be about someone who's always sleeping in his bed," she said.

About 20 kids who will be new to Riverhills Elementary came to the Temple Terrace Library Tuesday to be introduced to Connolly and faculty members Diana Favata, lead teacher, and David Chiriboga, fifth-grade teacher.

Kids were invited to make sparkly crowns and then listen to Connolly read two stories.

Jamie Malloy, PTA president, was also on hand to give parents information.

"It's just to welcome our families coming to Riverhills this year so they feel a little more at home the first day," Connolly explained.

Riverhills Elementary will be a magnet school for international studies beginning this year, drawing kids from New Tampa to Ruskin. The school will be applying for International Baccalaureate status when school starts, Connolly said. It's a two-year application process.

"Teachers came back week before last for training with IB," he said.

When the stories were finished, Amira, of Temple Terrace, went back to the craft tables to make a second crown. She said she was excited for first grade at Riverhills and liked the special story time at the library.

"I got to meet the principal," she said. "He's great!"