FORT SMITH (KFSM) -- Fort Smith School District teachers headed back to the classroom Monday (August 10) to prepare for the first day of school.
Hundreds of students, including pre-schoolers through sixth grade will start school at Ballman Elementary in a week. Until then, teachers will be organizing, labeling and getting supplies ready for students before they get to their classrooms.
Teachers are also preparing for a new group of kids to start at Ballman this year. The teachers are waiting for brand new desks and shelves to come in for those classrooms later this week. Pre-school teachers said they are focusing their attention on making everything easy for the little ones as they start school for the first time.
Jessica Shelton, who will be teaching preschool this year, said she is excited to be part of her students' learning process.
"I am so excited to be in the classroom and working with the kids," said Shelton. "I am looking forward to have lots of new bright faces come in."
Students in Fort Smith and several other large districts in the area head back to school August 17.