RCA 2008 First Day

Strike Up the Band and Let the School Year Begin

September 4, 2008 – The Ron Clark Academy began the 2008-2009 school year in motion – literally!  As 78 students - a mixture of returning 6^th and 7^th graders and 30 new 5^th graders – were dropped off at the front gates, the entire RCA staff and faculty were there with open arms to welcome students back to school.

But it wasn’t your ordinary back-to-school greeting; an Atlanta-based Rhythm & Blues Band, The Diane McIntosh Band, was there to mark this special occasion with live music.   Students arrived to the sounds of Cool and the Gang’s “Celebration” and the Pointer Sister’s “We Are Family,” beginning the school year on a solidly good note.

The day wasn’t all fun and games, however; there was plenty of work to be done.  Returning students were tasked with inducting the new 5^th graders into one of four Houses – Altruismo, Amistad, Isibindi, or Reveur.  The ceremony was exactly the same as last year - House inductions on the first day of school are one of many RCA traditions.  Each new student, one at a time, approaches the big wheel; meanwhile, the entire school cheers and chants the student’s name.  The student then states his/her name and gives the wheel a big spin.  Immediately, the student grabs the hand of Mehari Kassa, a member of RCA’s administrative team, and together they scale the steps to the second floor.  Anxiously awaiting the wheel to stop on a House, the student then slides down the Big Blue Slide while Mr. Clark holds up the crest to the House where the student now belongs. 

Once the House was announced, each student was celebrated and uplifted by the entire student body and staff.  A tie, with the appropriate House crest, was then tied around the neck of each newly inducted student.  One by one, all 30 students were officially enrolled into the RCA Family.  It was yet another magical moment at the Ron Clark Academy!