GREEN COVE SPRINGS – The moment children walked through the front doors of Spring Park Elementary, they quickly realized subtle differences.

The building is new and still smells of fresh paint. The floors shine; the walls are bright with teal green and blue paint; and the school mascot – Owls – is prominently displayed.

That happens with a new building that opened less than a month ago.

Other changes are more profound. First, Principal Tiffany Outman calls the students who christened the school Thursday “scholars.” Not students. Not children. Scholars.

Outman and her staff and faculty of 75 welcomed 625 scholars on Thursday. Nearly 42,000 other students also returned to one of the district’s 43 schools.

“Excitement and anticipation, I think, are the best words for opening a new school and welcoming all of our scholars,” she said. “I know that they’re excited, and they’re anticipating a lot of fun. We can have happy excitement and nervous anticipation and all happening at the same time. Back to school brings a flurry of emotions.

“I like to call it the crown jewel of Clay County because if you’re new, you have all of the new things.”

The school was built on County Road 315 in one of the fast-growing areas in the county.

Outman came from Lake Asbury Elementary. She hand-picked every teacher and staff member.

“It was very much a blessing,” she said. “We have the best of the best here at SPE. I have two brand-new teachers who have had a full year of internships. So all of the teachers on staff are well-trained and come with experience. I’m excited to see what we learn and grow together.”

Outman said the scholars at Spring Park would be surrounded by the support that stimulates the mind and soul. One of her favorite sayings is on display in the front office lobby. It reads: “Believe There is Good in the World.” Embedded in that saying are the words, “Be The Good.”

“We also place a huge emphasis on caring for the whole child,” she said. “Not only do we have to take care of their minds, we have to take care of their hearts as well. And making sure that all children who come to school feel comfortable and are ready to learn are some of the things we’ve been talking about this week. How to alleviate those concerns and fears and do some daily check-ins with scholars because it is overwhelming. I remember the first time I walked the campus it wasn’t finished. It didn’t have a roof, and it was quite overwhelming. I know that

they are going to be experiencing those emotions as well.”