The first school buses of the year rolled out of the Spring ISD Transportation Center on Tuesday morning in the soft glow of dawn, their yellow doors opening wide to greet waiting students. Drivers, clipboards in hand, double-checked routes and greeted each other with quick smiles before setting off on the familiar paths that wind through the district.
Spring ISD Interim Superintendent Dr. Kregg Cuellar began his morning by thanking the transportation department for their role in giving students a safe and dependable start. With the buses on their way, he turned his attention to campuses, beginning a daylong journey across the district.
“The first day of school is always something special. But today, as I walked our campuses, what stood out wasn’t just the excitement, it was the culture. You could feel it in every hallway, every classroom, every smile.” Cuellar said. “This year, we’re committed to creating learning environments where every student feels safe, challenged, and supported. Because when we get the culture right, everything else falls into place. What I saw today was nothing short of inspiring, our entire Spring ISD family showing up for kids. Teachers, leaders, nurses, counselors, bus drivers, custodians, child nutrition teams, police officers, support staff, each one playing their part to give our students the very best start to the year.”
That’s the power of working together. That’s Spring ISD. And I couldn’t be prouder.
His next stop came at Westfield High School, greeting the students as they crossed the threshold into the school. Westfield is home to the Spring ISD barbering program, established in 2020. The school offers a Gifted and Talented program, robust AP courses, and has a thriving athletics program.
At Thompson Elementary School, the car rider line stretched down the block, but moved with a steady rhythm as staff welcomed families. Students jumped from cars, some clutching brand-new backpacks, others holding tightly to a parent’s hand. Thompson enters the year as one of the district’s four STEM-focused elementary schools, offering hands-on maker spaces and daily opportunities to innovate.
“Our shirts say ‘Full STEM Ahead,’” said Thompson principal Vernecca Day. “What that means is today is the first day of our success. So how you start the day for the first day of school is how you end the day. So I have an affirmation that I do with children, we say ‘I am smart, I am kind, and I can do anything.”
Spring Leadership Academy was alive with morning greetings as students entered the campus. Principal Henry Suckie stood near the entrance, shaking hands and offering words of encouragement to every student who walked through the door. The school’s leadership-based program is designed to help middle schoolers grow into confident, globally minded learners.
“First impressions are lasting impressions,” Suckie said. “This year we are standing on business. Our teachers are out here shaking hands and greeting the students because we want to do everything intentionally, we care about every single person that walks through our doors.
At Wells Middle School, classrooms were already humming with activity when Cuellar arrived. Wells has been recognized for both academic and extracurricular achievements over the years. Most recently, its Art, Choir, and Band programs have earned top honors in regional contests and festivals. Students have also stood out individually, earning awards in writing competitions, and excelling in MathCounts.
Bailey Middle School was another stop on the morning route, home to the district’s fine arts focus for middle school students. Staff greeted students at the entrances while teachers welcomed them into classrooms, ready to begin a year that blends creative opportunities with strong academic programs.
The day’s final stop brought Cuellar to Lewis Elementary School, where the youngest learners in full-day PK3 classrooms were settling into their new routines. Teachers knelt to greet children at eye level, guiding them through centers filled with books, building blocks, and colorful art supplies. Lewis is one of six campuses in the district offering the program, helping provide a strong start for early learners. Cuellar also joined a lively lunch with first- and third-grade students, sharing stories, laughter, and a few cafeteria favorites, a moment he described as a joyful reminder of why the work in every classroom matters.
“From our youngest learners to our seniors, the excitement, the energy, and the smiles were unmatched. It’s the most extraordinary first day I’ve experienced in my career, and it speaks volumes about the heart and commitment of our staff. We couldn’t have asked for a better beginning.”