Little Rock, Arkansas – Students at Mabelvale Elementary School got a lively and unexpected welcome this year as their principal and teachers turned the first day of school into a musical celebration. In an effort to start the year on a high note, Principal Kelecia Glover and her team created a rap video based on Drake’s hit “I’m Goin In,” rewriting the lyrics to send a message of excitement, encouragement, and teamwork.
The video, shared just before the first day of school, has quickly become a hit online, earning over 1,000 likes and more than 40,000 views on Facebook. For Glover, the attention isn’t about going viral—it’s about reaching her students in a way that connects with their world.
“It’s about being excited about kids coming back and learning. We’re saying ‘we’re here for them but we’re also going to have a good time and learn,’” Glover said. She explained that music is a powerful way to bridge the gap between students and educators, helping to build relationships that carry into the classroom.
The principal believes strongly in meeting students where they are, whether that’s through cultural trends, music, or creative engagement. “We see a response in their grades and how they respond to us in the classroom when we put music behind something,” she said. This year’s theme for Mabelvale Elementary is “reset, renew and reload,” a message Glover hopes will inspire both students and staff to embrace fresh opportunities.
One particular line from the rap has become a motivational focus for the year: “when we work together, everyone wins.” For Glover, this is more than a lyric—it’s a philosophy. “If we work together and put all of our resources together, parents, students and teachers alike, we will win,” she said.
The energy generated by the project has already set a positive tone for the school year, and Glover says this won’t be the last time music plays a role in student motivation. “We love to encourage our students in any way possible,” she added, hinting at more creative surprises to come.
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Mabelvale isn’t alone in using music to inspire. Other schools in the Little Rock School District, including Pinnacle View and Roberts, have also created their own songs to welcome students and parents back to campus. For these educators, the goal is simple: make school a place where children feel valued, energized, and ready to succeed from day one.
With a catchy beat, uplifting lyrics, and a shared commitment to teamwork, Mabelvale Elementary is starting the year with a rhythm that’s hard to ignore—and one that could very well carry its students toward a year of growth, collaboration, and success.
