BACK TO SCHOOL

Students return to school for first day of classes on Thursday

Students from around the region went back to school on Thursday to begin a new chapter in their education.

Whether entering kindergarten or returning after summer break, local kids were ready to start the 20192020 school year.

In Wilton, five-yearold Hudson Lowe was surrounded by family members Thursday morning as he waited for the school bus on his first day attending Dorothy Nolan Elementary School.

The day before, Hudson went to kindergarten orientation, where he met his teacher Mrs. Walsh and saw some superhero-themed decor in his new classroom.

In the weeks leading up to school, his family did some preparing at home.

“Just waking up early, kind of getting him a little bit more on a set schedule,” Hudson’s mother, Blake Lowe, said while waiting for the bus. “We always do school stuff at home he loves it. He’s excited, and I’m excited through his eyes - so hopefully no tears for this mom this morning.”

Over at Division Street Elementary School, a large group of students, teachers, and parents were gathered at the school’s main entrance.

Among the crowd, Principal Dr. Greer Miller was welcoming both new and returning students.

“When I walked into school this morning, I just felt such positive energy in the building,” she said. “Everybody did such a great job in getting ready for the school year, and the kids are all excited.”

Looking forward to the school year, Miller continued, “We have a wonderful year ahead of us - just all of those different learning opportunities for the kids, those ‘Aha!’ moments.”

About 70 new kindergarteners started their Saratoga Springs City School District education on Thursday at Division Street Elementary School, along with hundreds of others throughout the area who are now members of the future graduating Class of 2032.

LAUREN HALLIGAN - MEDIANEWS GROUP A crowd of students, parents and teachers gather at the main entrance to Division Street Elementary School on the first day of school.

LAUREN HALLIGAN - MEDIANEWS GROUP Division Street Elementary School students walk from their bus into the school on Thursday morning for their first day of the 2019-2020 school year.

LAUREN HALLIGAN - MEDIANEWS GROUP Along with parents, some students’ pets came to see them off into the new school year at Division Street Elementary School.

LAUREN HALLIGAN - MEDIANEWS GROUP Division Street Elementary School students are greeted by a familiar face on the first day of the 2019-2020 school year.

LAUREN HALLIGAN - MEDIANEWS GROUP Chad Jerome of Saratoga Springs send his kids Preston and Keaton to school on Thursday for their first days of second and third grade at Division Street Elementary School.