The morning program began with a performance by the Jay Band drum line.
It ended with nearly 1,236 Jefferson City School District employees crowding together on the Adkins Stadium football field, to form the district's initials, "JC."
In between was a chance to see a video recorded by five veteran teachers, reading excerpts from letters they wrote to their first-year-teacher selves for their first day of school, then to hear new Superintendent Larry Linthacum read his letter from a school desk on the Miller Performing Arts Center stage.
Linthacum began his teaching career in 1995 as a business education and keyboarding teacher at Jefferson City High School.
"You're going to learn more than the students learn, and that may sound scary," he said in his "letter' to his first-year-teacher self.
"You will learn that the Jefferson City Public Schools has great people. If you ever leave Jefferson City, you may even want to come back some day."
Linthacum's letter also said: "One thing you need to know is that "Jay Pride' is special. But since this is your first day, you don't really know what "Jay Pride' means - but every day, you'll be reminded of "Jay Pride.'"
He returned to the theme in his more formal remarks, as Linthacum introduced himself to district employees and talked about 20 years in education and his vision for the future.
That phrase likely means different things to different people, he said.
For some, he said, "Jay Pride" is "a raised bar in how we do things; a tradition of excellence; performing at the highest level of achievement; a commitment to excellence and a commitment to reach far beyond their potential, to achieve greatness; high expectations; the rooted traditions; the expectation of top-notch in everything that we do; developing programs with respect, integrity and excellence."
All of this is important for the sense of identity it brings to the district, he said, and the ability to get people on the same page.
"I honestly feel like my job is to try to get us going in the same direction," he said. "We've got some challenges. ... I don't claim to have all the answers but, if you forget everything you hear this morning - remember, we're all in this together."
Linthacum talked about his goal of learning the names of all 1,236 district employees.
"I believe the sweetest words to anybody's ears are their own name," he said.
He said the conversations he already has had with district employees suggests most feel the Jefferson City Public Schools "need a clear vision, clear expectations and clear communications."
He plans to meet with all the district's employees, in their own buildings, to find out what their suggestions are for solving some of the district's space needs.
"One of the great things about public education is that we take everybody," School Board President John Ruth said. "And I think that's just an awesome thing - and everybody comes from a different place."
Because people believe in hard work by both teachers and students, he said, "The end result is the same - what you're doing to prepare kids for life is important, and it's serious business."