Mathews support staff welcomed on Monday included, from left, Lee-Jackson secretary/registrar Stacy Hudgins, part-time Thrifty Spot supervisor Bella Silvus and Michael Anthony, the division’s new Director of Technology.

New employees reported for their first day of work Monday at Mathews County Public Schools.

Although masks and social distancing were the order of the day, the division attempted to make things as normal as possible for the approximately dozen new staff members who took part in a brief orientation that morning at Thomas Hunter Middle School.

About 30-35 people in total gathered in the Brooks Auditorium, with school board chairman John Priest and superintendent of schools Nancy Welch welcoming the new employees.

Welch spoke of the “Mathews Way,” and of the supportive atmosphere within the division and the community as a whole. Principals, administrators and other veteran employees also provided words of advice and encouragement to the new teachers and suppor...