SALISBURY — It was all hugs and smiles Saturday at North Rowan High School.

Everyone knew each other, it seemed, and they paused in the long school hallway to chat between tables and booths.

The North district held its first back-to-school rally, designed to pull together people from all four North-area Rowan County schools as part of the district’s community approach.

Eventually, North Rowan Community Principal Alexis Cowan said, the schools — from elementary to high school — will work in tandem in nearly every area. That’s the dream — but Saturday was the beginning.

“We have a lot of work to do,” Cowan said. “And I think we’ve got a great start to starting that dialogue.”

Representatives of school partners such as Crosby Scholars and Communities in Schools were at the school Saturday, as were groups such as the Girl Scouts and a few local businesses. In the gym, representatives of each school stood behind tables, ready to give information or walk parents through student technology policies and set-ups. Students could even sign up for extracurricular activities, such as the high school band.

For Cowan and other organizers, it was a good day.

“It is a great success,” Cowan said.

And parents were on board with the idea as well.

“I think it’s great that the communities are pulling together — the school communities are pulling together to spread information,” Teri Shaw said.

Shaw has two daughters in North area schools: one at North Rowan Elementary and one at North Rowan Middle. The schools are next to each other, which presents opportunities for partnerships — something that Cowan and other administrators have been trying to cultivate since October 2016.

“I think it helps the kids see that, ‘What I do in elementary affects middle school. What I do in middle school affects high school,’” Shaw said.

The rally also helped get parents and students ready for the first day of school.

“I’m so excited for the school year,” Shaw said.

Across the gym, Garrett Jennings and son Mark were also looking forward to the upcoming school year. The two came out Saturday to get Mark’s one-to-one device sorted out. As a junior in high school, Mark has a school-issued laptop he can use in class or at home. It was also a good opportunity for both to meet Mark’s new teachers. And, of course, it was a chance to build school pride.

“I think it’s a great opportunity to see what North’s all about,” Mark said.

The rally also featured food vendors, coloring and other activities for children and opportunities for people to reflect on what they want from North area schools. A whiteboard stood at the entrance to the high school inviting visitors to write what their hope is for North Rowan community schools. The overwhelming answer? Stronger bonds among all the schools.

Contact reporter Rebecca Rider at 704-797-4264.