‘The kids bring life into the building’

Students, staff celebrate first day of school

Some shoreline schools reopened their doors for the 2021-22 academic year on Monday, including Madison Public Schools and East Lyme Public Schools.

Daniel Hand High School Principal T.J. Salutari said the first day of school was going smoothly and students and staff were excited to be back together.

He added that the custodial staff has been working diligently all summer to prepare the building for the

opening.

"Fantastic start," he said. "Really, really excited to have the entire student body and faculty and staff all here together. It seems like it's been a long time."

Since March 2020, with the beginning of COVID-19 restrictions, there has been some version of remote learning at the school. With some restrictions lifted, Salutari said the start of this year feels different than past years. He called in an “obvious energy.”

"I think people really missed being in school, together,” Salutari said. :I think that includes our staff, as well. It's really nice to walk through the halls and see a full building; to be in some classrooms and we were just in the cafeteria not only is the lunch program, which is outstanding, running full but there are kids being able to sit together, talk with one another, taking advantage of outside seating, still being safe, but it feels like normal school, which we haven't felt in a little while."

Masks are required inside the building and Salutari said he was impressed that everyone is abiding by the mandate. Salutari said he knows people do not want to wear them but people are following instructions and nobody had been redirected yet as of mid-morning Monday.

Additionally, Salutari said the masks did not take away from the positive energy at the school.

At dismissal, students were still wearing their masks as they exited the building, chatting with friends as they walked towards buses or their parents’ vehicles.

In East Lyme, students were welcomed back with smiles and open arms Monday for the district’s first day of the 2021-22 academic year.

The morning began with the arrival of students at East Lyme High School just after 7 a.m. Teachers were waiting by the curb, donning “happy new year” crowns, blowing bubbles toward students and offering them mints.

Students held hands, smiled, and hugged both each other and teachers as they walked toward the building. If their masks were not already on, they were slipped on by the time they were greeting Superintendent Jeffrey Newton by the entrance.

Almost all students were observed wearing masks or face coverings, Newton said just before the morning drop-off at East Lyme Middle School.

Newton said only a handful of students forgot their masks, however, once they entered the building, each was given a face covering at the security desk.

“The day is off to a great start,” Newton said outside East Lyme Middle School.

“The buses were all on time, and I hope the kids were all smiles under their masks.”

Assistant Superintendent Annaliese Spaziano, who joined the district July 1, was greeting students outside of the middle school alongside Newton.

“It’s a bit of a celebration after last year,” Spaziano said when talking about the first day back. “I think we were ready to get back. The kids bring life into the

building and the school has more life with our students and staff.”

When asked about what will happen if students have to quarantine or if the pandemic gets worse, Newton said there is no hybrid or remote learning this year.

Newton said the administration will figure out a plan if the pandemic worsens. He pointed to mitigation tactics, especially mask use, which allow children to be in-person full time

this academic year.

Around the corner, parents dropped their little ones off at Lillie B. Haynes Elementary School for their first day. There were some tears and long hugs, but the majority of students were excited to get back into the building, and bounded off the school buses.

Chelsea Cushing was dropping her son off for his first day of kindergarten. Both of her sons, including the one in her arms, were

wearing masks.

She said she felt like the district has done well and is keeping her child safe. “I had no hesitation,” she said about sending her son to school, citing the district’s open communication.

When asked about masks and vaccines, Cushing said she will vaccinate her children once it is available to them.

Christine DeRosa / Hearst Connecticut Media East Lyme Middle School students returned to school Monday.

Christine DeRosa / Hearst Connecticut Media East Lyme Middle School students returning to school Monday were greeted by staff, including Superintendent Jeffrey Newton.