School Starts In Vernon With Full Houses

VERNON, CT — As Vernon students returned to their respective schools Wednesday to start the 2021-22 academic year, there seemed to be one common conception among students, staff members and administrators — what a difference a year makes.

That was quite evident at Rockville High School, where Principal Jason Magao, marveled at the parade of cars heading his way.

"It's all going well," he said, hinting that the line of cars stretching from the school well onto Route 83 in both directions may be an indication that things might be going too well.

Magao said he could chalk the traffic at RHS to to the rain that began just before the first bell, a fuller roster of 966 students and the fact that a lot of parents prefer to drive their children on the first day of school.

"We will discuss it and correct the flow if we need to," he said.

The 966 students Wednesday represent nearly 100 more at RHS than in June. Magao cited no virtual learning, several transfers from state magnet schools and increased enrollment in the Agriculture Science and Technology program.

He was also touting several new features at RHS, including new furnishings, an improved senior lounge that has a student-inspired menu and the new artificial turf field at the stadium on campus.

"I haven't really had a chance to see the field yet, but I can't wait," said Victoria Mitchell, a junior lacrosse player at RHS. When asked how different the culture would be, Mitchell said "weird" was the first word that came to mind.

Weird in a good way, she added.

"I haven't see about half the people, so it will be a lot different," Mitchell said, referring to the hybrid schedule of last year combined with several opt-outs.

Two other schools with notorious traffic situations — Center Road School and Vernon Center Middle School, seemed to back up at first, but then tings quickly smoothed out as the bell rang.

VCMS Principal David Caruso had a chance to show off the new furnishings at the school to Vernon Superintendent of Schools Joseph Macary and assistant superintendent Robert Testa during a morning tour of the building. The new desks and chairs are designed to give students a chance to be comfortable while still practicing social distancing to the best extent possible.

Elizabeth Fisher, the director of food and nutrition services said over the summer that she would have a few surprises in her efforts "to ensure students have the most nutritious meals possible." Monday’s lunch featured one of them — corn from Dzen Farms in South Windsor and apples from Johnny Appleseed’s Farm in Ellington.

Here are some images of the first day of school in Vernon , 2021-22: