Popsicles with Jackson Park Principal

Instead of a meet and greet, held a sweet and greet on Thursday for parents and students to get to know each other and the school's new principal, Elliott Shostak.

"Very excited," said Shostak, when asked about the start of school next week. "It's a wonderful staff. I'm glad to be at Jackson Park." Shostak was the former principal of Nathaniel Hawthorne Elementary, which was closed down after last school year.

A fifth-grader named Phoebe said she's looking forward to seeing her friends. "I've been cooped up with my little sister all summer," she said as she stood next to her sister Lydia.

Are you ready to start school? asked University City Patch. "Yeah!" said an excited second-grader named Neve. "Not really," her brother Isaac added. He's going to be a third-grader at JP.

Neve said she's looking forward to art class, while Isaac said he's looking forward to lunch and recess.

Principal Shostak said students will walk into a building that's undergone a makeover. There are three news classrooms, plus a new gymnasium, cafeteria and library. "Everybody is excited," said Shostak. "We're looking forward to a fantastic year."