SOUTH DEERFIELD – Frontier Regional and Union 38 students walked into their buildings Tuesday morning, kicking off the 2024-25 school year in the Pioneer Valley.

Smiles were everywhere as staff invited students in and friends reunited for another year of opportunities. Still, there’s always some first-day jitters, especially for students making the jump from one side of the building to the other.

“Oh, definitely,” said incoming freshman Lillian Braman when asked if she was nervous. Braman said she was also excited to continue participating in band, as well as trying out “some new classes and seeing my friends.”

The beginning of the school year also marks a time for both the Frontier Regional and Union 38 school districts to welcome kids back, as faculty, staff and administration prepare for a year focused on continuing to advance initiatives implemented in previous years.

At the high school, Principal George Lanides said 2024 and 2025 are a chance to reinforce social and educational programming at Frontier. This includes a continued partnership with the Karuna Center for Peacebuilding’s BRAVE schools program, expanding peer-mentoring opportunities and the implementation of new social-emotional learning programs.

“We’re excited for another year,” Lanides said as he greeted students Tuesday morning. He noted they also added global studies and criminal justice pathways programs to supplement existing engineering and health care Innovation Pathways classes, introduced in 2022 through a state grant.

Down the street at Deerfield Elementary School, Principal Tina Gemme said their focus this year will be on the “key elements” of belonging and connection. Through this focus, she said staff are ensuring every student has at least one trusted adult they can rely on, while also trying to connect students and families through more school and community events.

“This year, we’re ensuring that every student has at least one trusted adult at school — a key figure they can turn to for support, whether it’s sharing a celebration or navigating a tough situation,” Gemme said. “These trusted relationships are vital, offering students the emotional support and guidance they need to thrive.”

She said community events like Math Night and concerts can bring families together, while all-school reading events can create a “sort of school-wide book club that connects us all.”

“At Deerfield Elementary, we are excited and proud to build a community where everyone — students, families and staff alike — feels that this is their school,” Gemme said.

In a letter to staff at Conway Grammar School, Principal Kristen Gordon emphasized the importance of taking joy in their work and working as a team in order to “guide, nurture and inspire the children shared with us.”

“Together, we create a positive community, where the goal is that every member feels valued, supported and uplifted … Collaborate, communicate and coordinate,” Gordon wrote. “Positive relationships make a school environment successful and happy.”

At Sunderland Elementary School, Principal Benjamin Barshefsky said their focus this year is on continuing their already established social-emotional learning initiatives in an effort to be more inclusive.

“Sunderland Elementary School will continue to prioritize our students’ social and emotional well-being and partner with our caregivers throughout the school year,” he said. “We hope to foster an ongoing awareness of non-typical family structures, gender identities, and learning styles within our school community.”

Chris Larabee can be reached at clarabee@recorder.com.