FIRST DAY OF CLASSES
Students in Troy head back to school
TROY, N.Y. » The Troy City School District (TCSD) kicked off the 2021-22 school year on Thursday with its first day of classes. Despite overcast and rainy weather, there was enthusiasm and joy as students came to school, many returning for the first time in person since March 2020. It made for a rather unique first day because for the first time in over a year all students were coming to school in person.
Under TCSD’s current reopening plan, in-person education is planned for all K-12 students. Remote learning is only an option this year for students with “documented medical necessity” and will be provided by BOCES. Safety measures for the schools include mandatory masking and social distancing, deep cleaning procedures, and assigned seating in cafeterias and busses.
“We are very excited for our students to return and get the year started,” said Carroll Hill School principal Roy Stiles. “Our staff has worked so hard this summer to get the building ready for opening day. We’ve had two great days of professional development and now we are ready to have our students back and get to work.”
As Stiles and his team welcomed students to their first day at Carroll Hill, across town at PS 2 it was an extra special first day. That’s because it was also
“We are very excited for our students to return and get the year started.” — Carroll Hill School principal Roy Stiles
the first day of school for principal Amanda Klopott.
“I’m really looking forward to getting to know the community and building relationships,” said Klopott. “I’ve noticed how caring the teachers are and how dedicated the parents are. I love the excitement from students on the first day of school.”
Unlike the four other elementary schools in the district, PS 2 is a community school, which “serves as a hub for varied support services for both children and their families.” PS 2 places a very high focus on the social-emotional wellbeing of students, called “scholars” by the school, which Klopott feels is essential to learning.
“It helps the students to feel safe at school, and when they feel safe it’s easier for them to learn,” she explained.
Klopott has been in the education industry for 12 years, and in administration since 2016. Prior to coming to PS 2, she was the associate principal at Montgomery C. Smith Elementary School.
Also ready for his first day at PS 2 was thirdgrader Christian Wallace and his father, Christopher Forte, who moved here from out of state. Christian was happy to go to a new school and said reading was the subject he liked best.
“I’m looking forward to him being able to broaden his environment,” commented Forte. “He’s a smart kid, I want to see him move ahead.”
As the PS 2 scholars arrived for their first day, they were greeted personally by school staff and escorted to their classrooms. Once everyone was settled in, it was time for an assembly. Students sat on the floor of the gymnasium by class, listening as expectations for the year were explained.
PS 2 uses a unique teacher-developed system for student expectations called “CHAMPS RISE.” Each word is an acronym that describes model behavior for PS 2 scholars and champions:
Conversation, knowing what level of voice to use
Help, knowing when and how to ask for it
Activity, engaging appropriately in school events
Movement, being fully in control of your body
Participation, being fully involved every day
Success, achieved when you act like a CHAMPion
PS 2 scholars and CHAMPS will always RISE:
Ready for the day
Integrity
Safe and respectful Excited to learn To emphasize the importance of being a CHAMP, the PS 2 assembly began with a music video of the song “Champion” by Carrie Underwood and Ludacris. It’s an inclusive video showing people of all abilities from all walks of life working hard to become a champion. The song’s lyrics convey ideas of never giving up and believing in yourself. It’s a powerful message that fits well with PS 2’s learning initiative.
“We set high expectations for our scholars, and they really rise to the occasion,” said Klopott. “This helps to enforce positive behavior in a positive way.”
As students filed out of the gymnasium quietly and calmly after assembly, Klopott remarked, “It’s really impressive to me to see CHAMPS RISE working on the first day of school — how respectful and focused the scholars are. I’m so impressed with our team, who have worked so tirelessly to make this happen.”
Klopott added, “I feel so honored and privileged to be part of this community. We’re looking to build bridges any way we can. I encourage parents to reach out to me at any time for any reason — we’re here to support our scholars’ education in any way possible.”