PORT NECHES — Staff in Port Neches-Groves Independent School District are ready to rock the new school year on a positive note.

On Monday, during convocation at the high school, staff came away with special rocks painted with inspirational messages.

Christy Smith, a fourth-grade teacher at Port Neches Elementary, came out of the event sporting a “you be you” rock.

“That’s my personality and what I try to teach my kids,” Smith said while holding her bright pink rock with blue letters. “Be who you are. Be yourself. We all make mistakes. We all learn from our mistakes and grow to be the best we can be.”

Smith said she is excited for this school year to begin.

“I’m ready for a new, positive year especially after last year,” she said.

Jill Klinkhammer was also excited for the new year and for her inspirational rock.

Klinkhammer is in her second year with the district and teaches reading for grades 6-8 at Groves Middle School.

“I’m ready to watch my students grow,” Klinkhammer said while holding out her neon green rock with the word “grow” on it.

The convocation was a very positive experience for the educator who spoke of the board president’s uplifting message that not just certain people are important — all are important.

“It takes all of us to get the job done, from our bus drivers to maintenance, teachers and administration,” Klinkhammer said. “Without us, the cake crumbles.”

According to information from the district, back in the spring the high school students participated in the first “Indians give” event and painted rocks during their lunch break. After that, the Key Club students and sponsor Rene Ford finished the project and finalized them for convocation.

In all, the students designed and created their own positive messages on 800 rocks which, officials said, are as unique as the district’s students.

“Our district focus this year is that ‘positive vision and positive attitude leads to positive thinking,’” according to a statement from PNGISD.

Jeanifer Bartlett, Port Neches Elementary PTA president, oversaw the distribution of the rocks so that each employee received a painted rock when they left the district convocation. She said the hope is that staff will let the painted rock be a reminder and a positive force in their students’ lives.

For a look at more rocks go to #PNGrocks on Twitter.