CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The new school year for Clarksville-Montgomery County Schools began on Monday with more than 39,000 students attending for a half-day, with the first full-day of school coming up on Thursday, Aug. 10.

School System Director Dr. Jean Luna-Vedder was joined by School Board members, school staff and officials, at both Kirkwood High School on Rossview Road and Carmel Elementary School on Sango Road. For this first day, to help them remember, teachers marked the hand of each student with a “C” if they arrived by car, a “W” if they walked, or their bus number if they rode a school bus.

Students and parents are met by teachers and school officials at Carmel Elementary School for their first half-day of the 2023-24 school year of Clarksville-Montgomery County Schools, on Aug. 7, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
Students and parents are met by teachers and school officials at Carmel Elementary School for their first half-day of the 2023-24 school year of Clarksville-Montgomery County Schools, on Aug. 7, 2023.
Students and parents are met by teachers and school officials at Carmel Elementary School for their first half-day of the 2023-24 school year of Clarksville-Montgomery County Schools, on Aug. 7, 2023.
Students and parents are met by teachers and school officials at Carmel Elementary School for their first half-day of the 2023-24 school year of Clarksville-Montgomery County Schools, on Aug. 7, 2023.
Students and parents are met by teachers and school officials at Carmel Elementary School for their first half-day of the 2023-24 school year of Clarksville-Montgomery County Schools, on Aug. 7, 2023.
Students and parents are met by teachers and school officials at Carmel Elementary School for their first half-day of the 2023-24 school year of Clarksville-Montgomery County Schools, on Aug. 7, 2023.
Students and parents are met by teachers and school officials at Carmel Elementary School for their first half-day of the 2023-24 school year of Clarksville-Montgomery County Schools, on Aug. 7, 2023.
Students and parents are met by teachers and school officials at Carmel Elementary School for their first half-day of the 2023-24 school year of Clarksville-Montgomery County Schools, on Aug. 7, 2023.
Students and parents are met by teachers and school officials at Carmel Elementary School for their first half-day of the 2023-24 school year of Clarksville-Montgomery County Schools, on Aug. 7, 2023.
Students and parents are met by teachers and school officials at Carmel Elementary School for their first half-day of the 2023-24 school year of Clarksville-Montgomery County Schools, on Aug. 7, 2023.
Students and parents are met by teachers and school officials at Carmel Elementary School for their first half-day of the 2023-24 school year of Clarksville-Montgomery County Schools, on Aug. 7, 2023.
Students and parents are met by teachers and school officials at Carmel Elementary School for their first half-day of the 2023-24 school year of Clarksville-Montgomery County Schools, on Aug. 7, 2023.
Students and parents are met by teachers and school officials at Carmel Elementary School for their first half-day of the 2023-24 school year of Clarksville-Montgomery County Schools, on Aug. 7, 2023.
Students and parents are met by teachers and school officials at Carmel Elementary School for their first half-day of the 2023-24 school year of Clarksville-Montgomery County Schools, on Aug. 7, 2023.
Students and parents are met by teachers and school officials at Carmel Elementary School for their first half-day of the 2023-24 school year of Clarksville-Montgomery County Schools, on Aug. 7, 2023.
Students and parents are met by teachers and school officials at Carmel Elementary School for their first half-day of the 2023-24 school year of Clarksville-Montgomery County Schools, on Aug. 7, 2023.
Students and parents are met by teachers and school officials at Carmel Elementary School for their first half-day of the 2023-24 school year of Clarksville-Montgomery County Schools, on Aug. 7, 2023.
Students and parents are met by teachers and school officials at Carmel Elementary School for their first half-day of the 2023-24 school year of Clarksville-Montgomery County Schools, on Aug. 7, 2023.

“We are so excited to be here today welcoming students back at Carmel Elementary and throughout the district,” Luna-Vedder said.

Luna-Vedder said the school system is about 98 percent staffed, which is much better than they were last year at this time, and they are almost completely staffed with bus drivers.