ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times

DATE: Wednesday, September 4, 1996           TAG: 9609040115
SECTION: VIRGINIA                 PAGE: A-1  EDITION: METRO 

NEW YEAR, NEW WAYS

LENGTH: Short :   19 lines
ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO:  CINDY PINKSTON Staff. Richard Poindexter, principal of 
          Roanoke Academy for Mathematics and Science, comforts Cherylene 
          Johnson, 7, Tuesday before escorting her to her second-grade class 
          on the first day of school in Roanoke. ``The children and teachers 
          seemed to be excited about the new year,'' Poindexter said. Pupils 
          and faculty members echoed that view at other Roanoke schools. Story
          on C1. color.