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New funding and opportunities

On opening morning, Principal Tommy Canterbury greeted students and parents at the front entrance alongside former East Bank Principal Michael Wilkinson, now serving Kanawha County Schools as a Title I Coordinator.

Wilkinson acknowledged the closure was difficult but said declining enrollment made the move the right choice for students. The shift also means DuPont now qualifies for — federal money that supports schools with high percentages of students from low socioeconomic backgrounds.

Before consolidation, DuPont had about 430 students. Now, enrollment tops 600.

"I know it's hard and it's frustrating [for a school to close], but the bottom line is we've got to do what's best for the kids," Wilkinson said. "It doesn't matter if I get moved around."

"[Becoming a Title I school] has been really helpful. It allows us to get more teachers in the building," Canterbury added. He noted that when Cedar Grove students joined DuPont in 2021, the change brought new sports teams, clubs and friendships — opportunities he expects to see again this year.

Families adjust to change

For the Dixon family, the first day brought mixed emotions — but not because of a change in venue.

James Dixon, 12, who had attended East Bank, was simply excited to see his friends and play baseball again. His younger sister, Alexis, 11, admitted the hustle and bustle of a bigger school made her anxious as she approached her first morning as a sixth grader.

Their father, James Dixon, acknowledged he had been on edge, too, when the consolidations were announced.

"I was nervous at first because of the number of students that were going to be here, but then once I came to [a presentation at the school], I was more than happy for them to come here, and I was excited for them."

Belle resident David Wojciechowicz also approached the first day with positive feelings. He has ties to both schools — he attended DuPont as a child, his son was at East Bank, and his nephew is a current DuPont student.

“I kind of had a place in my heart for East Bank," he said. "I coached there, and I hated to see those kids lose their school, but I felt like I could be a voice to let them know that they're going in good hands."

He praised Canterbury, saying, “He loves this community. He loves this school. I couldn't be happier for some of these kids to come over here and get to experience that.�

Wojciechowicz, who also coaches football, stressed inclusivity in athletics — an issue that had come up during consolidation meetings.

“If a kid shows up and they're willing to put the work in, we don't kick anybody off [the team]," he said. "We'll work with you. We'll get you up to par, and we'll work with the ability that God gave you and try to make the best out of it.�

The new players, he added, “joined right into the fold, even through spring workouts. We started the meshing and blending, really, all the way back in the spring.�

He said he thinks it's going to be a good season.

One school, one community

Both Wojciechowicz and Canterbury said this is an opportunity for the community to come together.

"We are all the upper Kanawha Valley," Wojciechowicz said. "We're one family. We're one community.�

Canterbury called the consolidation a fresh start for the eastern end of the Kanawha Valley.

"We're the eastern end of the valley's middle schools. Now, that's it; there's only one of us. And it doesn't matter what it says on our chest, we're the only one," he said, referring to school apparel. "And that's what we have to be proud of, that we have to be proud of being from the eastern end.�