GREENFIELD — Normally, Shannon Terry-Nugent looks forward to coming back to school, but this year she was holding onto her vacation.
Her feelings quickly changed when she entered Discovery School at Four Corners for the first day of classes, where she soon met her friends and new teacher.
Shannon got excited when her friends started to tell her about her incoming teacher for fourth grade, “She’s super awesome. She’s the best teacher,” they said.
Alongside her friend Stella Langlands, as they were exiting their first day of class Wednesday — with Greenfield Public Schools welcoming everyone but kindergarteners, who start Friday — the fourth-graders talked about seeing friends they hadn’t seen all summer, but also changes to the school, like a newly touched-up gym floor, fresh wood chips put down to widen an outdoor walkway and the addition of bean bags in the library.
But with gray skies, coolish temperatures and a few raindrops welcoming students in the morning, Principal Jake Toomey worried, thinking, “Not indoor recess on the first date.”
Nonetheless the clouds parted, with nothing but blue to be seen. The sun was beaming down and parents came back in the afternoon to see smiling students.
“In Greenfield, the schools build a really wonderful community,” Katie Caron said after picking up her fourth-grader Logan and second-grader Max.
She remarked on the nature trails and the well-kept garden, and the excitement her and her children have when they come back to school. They loved seeing their classmates once again.
Earlier, some students came by for a meet-and-greet with their teachers, which Toomey sees as a good ice-breaker for all sides.
“For me, it’s just as much as the kids, a mix of nervousness and excitement,” Toomey said.
It’s a matter of logistics for Toomey, making sure everything runs smoothly, not just with students coming to school but with the families of students.
“For a couple weeks, especially at the elementary level, it’s all about building relationships,” Toomey said.
Helping the principal to welcome students was Jackie Mickiewicc, the school’s adjustment counselor.
“I get to see that first day excitement that I remember as a kid, but I get to see it through the families,” Mickiewicc said.
As parents brought their students in the morning, Mickiewicc watched children take photos with their parents and with Toomey to commemorate the day.
“It’s really just a big celebration,” Mickiewicc said. “It really makes it feel like a whole school community.”
Some families drove, while others walked right over. The year is sure to be busy during drop-offs and pick-ups given 252 students in the school, more than ever before, Toomey said.
Kelly Prasol and her son Nicholas, who started second grade Wednesday, walked to school from down the block with children in the same grade.
“They literally are so happy to be here that they run right out to the playground,” Prasol said. “It’s lot different than kindergarten.”
You can reach Joshua Solomon at:
jsolomon@recorder.com
413-772-0261, ext. 264