From children entering new grades to adults taking on new positions, Vicksburg Catholic Schools started off the year with changes.

Dr. Buddy Strickland, the new principal at St. Aloysius High School, said it was the most uneventful day he has ever had.

“It’s like we’ve been in school for two months,” he said. “Kids walked in and knew what to do and where to go.”

Strickland said they only had three problems all day.

“One student had a schedule problem, and two kids couldn’t get their lockers open,” he said. “I could not believe it.”

Strickland said he was astounded at how well the day went.

“In 40-something years of education I’ve never experienced anything so smooth and seamless,” he said. “I expected no less because of the teachers that are here and the students that are here. They came in with great attitudes. I think they were genuinely excited to be back with their friends and the environment that is here.”

Around the corner, St. Francis Xavier Elementary School Principal Mary Arledge agreed with her colleague.

“Kids came in this morning very happy, and I did not see any tears,” she said. “I saw a couple of parents with tears, but the kids were great.”

Alredge said classes had been flowing wonderfully and the teachers are happy.

“We had our last orientation with our pre-school and kindergarten parents at lunchtime,” she said. “They phase in starting Monday. They had a parent orientation to get the bits and pieces of the handbook that were important reminders and key things for them.”

Overall it was a wonderful, positive day, Arledge said.

“It’s gone by so fast,” she said. “I’ve been going from class to class and seeing them, and they’ve all been very happy. We’ve had a great day.”

Arledge said in about a week the school would start implementing its new focus on saints, beginning this year by teaching the students more about St. Francis Xavier.

He is the patron saint of missionaries and one of the founders of the Jesuit order. St. Francis Xavier sought religious converts throughout Asia during the 1500s.