The first day of high school is always stressful.

Questions such as what to wear, what to take for lunch, where is my homeroom, race through your brain.

Now, imagine it is your first day as the new principal of Emmaus High School.

Beth Guarriello, whose curriculum vitae includes teacher, assistant principal and principal, is looking forward to Aug. 29 when the school year officially begins.

“You’re excited. You’re nervous. I’ve never been here with kids in the building,” she said in an interview in her office Aug. 12.

“I was one of those teachers who get up excited every morning” to be in the classroom, Guarriello continued.

Guarriello was welcomed by the East Penn School District in the spring.

The East Penn School Directors accepted the retirement of EHS Principal Dr. Kate Kieres at the April 11 regular meeting.

Her retirement was effective July 1.

Guarriello was introduced to the directors at the April 25 regular meeting by East Penn School District Superintendent of Schools Kristen Campbell. At that time, Guarriello was expected to start in late July after finishing her tenure as a high school principal in the Southern Lehigh School District.

Guarriello’s summer meetings included chats with students and parents, conversations with Emmaus Police Chief Jason Apgar, meet and greets with staff and professional development sessions and meetings with teachers. An open faculty meeting was scheduled Aug. 22, according to a letter to the faculty made available by Guarriello to The Press.

Guarriello watched several football and golf practices as well.

“I definitely need to meet the Hornet,” Guarriello said with a laugh.

Guarriello was a classroom chemistry, biology and science teacher, recognized by the American Chemical Society as “Outstanding Chemistry Teacher” in 2012 on nomination from a former student, while her own children were in school. Her work as an assistant principal included focus on curriculum and instruction as well as discipline. Her time in education includes close to a decade at Liberty High School in Bethlehem. She was recognized as Outstanding Teacher of the Year by the Bethlehem Area School District, on nomination from her colleagues, 2010-2011. She also taught chemistry at Parkland High School 2003-2005.

In her new role as principal of Emmaus High School Guarriello will put in place Hornet Homeroom, a community building effort in which students will stay with their cohort from their first day at EHS through their graduation date. Hornet Homeroom will allow students to see the same students every school day with an eye toward building a sense of community, a home base. Students will build relationships and trust with others in their cohort and have the space to have important conversations about what’s happening in school and the world outside the walls of EHS.

The aspiration is for a positive climate, culture and community, Guarriello said.

Incoming freshmen began work on those relationships with a scavenger hunt featuring selfie stations during their orientation to familiarize themselves with the EHS campus earlier this month.

Thursdays will include a “Hornet Huddle” event “so the whole school has a common experience,” Guariello said.

Other events in the early days of the school year include an open house for parents, an ice cream social and a classroom door decorating contest.

Guariello was interviewed by students for The Stinger, the EHS student-run newspaper in the spring.

On the first morning of the school year, and every school day thereafter if plans hold, Guariello will escort Branch, the school therapy dog, to the bus drop off area to welcome students, she said.

She plans to be a presence in the hallways as well, stopping in to see students and teachers in the classrooms, along with working with staff and planning and preparing for the anticipated inevitable challenges that come with a student population of 3,000.

“It’s a privilege to be a witness to all these great things happening,” she said.