First Day of School in Vernon: Flippers, SOARing and a Roadrunner

Rebecca Boyer walked toward the front doors of Center Road School on Wednesday morning with a purpose.

"First grade," she said, holding up an index finger. "First … grade."

It was a big day for Rebecca and most of the town's students who were making big jumps.

Superintendent of Schools Mary Conway offered this summary after touring each campus:

• Vernon Public Schools had a very successful first day of school.
At the elementary schools the children were excited and had many smiles and very few tears. The Meet and Greet, which was held yesterday at all the elementary schools, helped the students with the first day of school jitters today.

• At Vernon Center Middle School, Grade 6 students had a smooth transition. Teachers from Grades 7 and 8 assisted in the orientation for Grade 6 students – helping them with their lockers, giving tours, etc.

• At Rockville High School Grade 9 students had their first day of school. Sixty-five members of the Link Crew (which consists of upperclassmen) assisted the freshmen students. The Link Crew worked together with students in large and small groups. Freshmen students were able to go through their schedules and learn about Rockville High School.

It was a festive atmosphere at RHS, thanks to the Link Crew. Brendan Shannon and Christy Ann Lee wore a life jacket and flippers as they walked - in Christy's case plodded noisily - the freshmen around the building.

Principal Eric Baim attempted to practice his slow-down wave to them, but realized his efforts were futile because they were moving so slowly and turned to another group instead.

Baim said a full-day is the way to go on the first day. The first half of the day centered around orientation. After lunch, freshmen were exposed to a simulated schedule, he said.

VCMS Principal Michael Cain said the first day is always a time to SOAR. That is, introduce sixth-graders to the Safety, Organization, Achievement and Respect and Responsibility initiative. 

"It's going over the procedures - the dos and don'ts," Cain said. "It helps reduce a lot of the anxiety sixth-graders can have going into Middle School."

Cain said it also goes beyond academics at that age.

"It's still about reading, writing and arithmetic, but it is also about how to act in groups and how to act for the good of the community," he said.

The Center Road School mascot played a little Safety Patrol in the morning and used the occasion to greet the students as they came toward the building. Students met on groups to get first-day instructions and then headed to their classrooms.

At Lake Street School, Principal Robert Testa led students, parents and teachers in the traditional flag ceremony.

While transitional students began Wednesday, all students will be reporting to classes today.