BRIDGEPORT — There are quite a few new faces in the halls of Bridgeport Exempted Village School District.

The school year began with an uptick in enrollment, and Superintendent Brent Ripley said this growth is reflected in a project to expand the parking lot.

“We are up over 75 students from last year, and with those students comes an increased demand for parent parking during drop-off in the morning and pick-up in the afternoon,” he said.

Ripley thanked Pease Township for giving the school district the right of way to Industrial Way, an alley in front of the parking lot that separates the school from the backs of several houses. Kolb Excavation is handling the job and work should be done in about two weeks.

“We’ve removed some of the trees and about four feet of the curb is going to be removed,” he added.

When completed, the one-way road will offer diagonal parking along the roadway. This will add more than 30 parking spots.

“It’s not public parking,” Ripley said. “We need that parking here for Bridgeport and here for the growth that we’re having.”

Added parking will be more than welcome. Ongoing construction for the multipurpose facility to be dubbed “the Bridge” has called for adjustments this school year. Ripley extended thanks on behalf of the district to families for their patience during this time of growth, including following the new traffic procedures.

“They’ve been great – the guardians, the parents, the grandparents that have been dropping off and picking students up. We know it’s been a minor inconvenience now, but I can’t say enough good about how everybody has embraced it, knowing we have space and extra parking on the way.”

Pick-up and drop-off now take place at the high school and middle school entrance while the Bridge is being built in front of the elementary school. The procedure is available on the district app and website, and school officials have been reaching out to keep the community informed.

Ripley said the response to the district’s new projects has exceeded expectations.

“Our goal as a district was to hopefully increase student enrollment by 50 kids by the start of next year when we open the Bridge,” he said. “We’re very happy that the families have entrusted us with their kids to bring them into our family at the Bridgeport school district.”

The Bridge will serve Bridgeport schools’ mission to show students a new horizon of possibilities and to equip them with the tools to pursue their chosen course in life. Ripley said the district intends for every student to graduate high school with a plan, whether it be college, employment or military service.

“They’re not just receiving a high-quality education, but we will be exposing them to different careers throughout the elementary, the middle school and high school,” he noted.

Through the College Credit Plus program, the district offers college level coursework on campus at no cost to families. More credentialing programs will be in place by next school year.

“We see this project and expansion as a way to link our graduates straight into employment,” Ripley said, adding that Bridgeport’s educators are committed to helping students find their strengths and recognize the strengths of others, to use discomfort as an opportunity to grow and to learn from their setbacks as they advance from goal to goal.

“They leave us, and they’re off and running in the real world and they’re contributing in the workplaces and businesses. So hopefully what we’ve created here for those students, that compass we’ve provided, that spark, fuels their motivation and the discipline to continue to grow through their careers.”

Meanwhile, the new students are being introduced to their school. Bridgeport High Principal Jack Fisher said it is an exciting time to be a Bulldog.

“The word’s out that this is a pretty great place to be for a variety of reasons – the culture, the teaching staff, the staff in general, I think what we offer here and just the kind of atmosphere we provide here in Bridgeport. I just feel more and more are seeing that and saying: ‘We want to be part of that.'”

He said students are excited.

“I was talking to one kid who came in as a senior to us. I was talking to him yesterday,” Fisher said. “He said, ‘I’m glad I’m here now, but I wish I would have been here years ago.'”

Bridgeport Elementary Principal Kamaron Sabinski is happy to see her new students at the beginning of their Bulldog adventure.

“They love the building, very excited about the technology, having their own iPads. Many of them are inquiring about the Bridge that’s being built outside. The teachers have paired the new students up with students who have been here so they have a buddy and a partner.”

Sabinski said enthusiasm was evident during Bulldog Pride Night.

“Parents came in ahead of time to have their children tour the building. On each tour, the children were excited, smiling, loved the classrooms. Couldn’t wait to go to the new playground behind the administration building. Parents numerous times commented on how many wondrous things they have heard about Bridgeport and were excited for their children to come.”