A Warm Welcome Extended to Parents of Osborn’s Newest Cubs

The excitement, pride and community sentiment was contagious yesterday at Osborn Elementary School’s new family welcome meeting.  At 9:00 a.m., 30 moms of new Osborn cubs feasted on a continental breakfast of assorted baked goods, yogurt with fruit and granola and that all important morning pick-me-up, fresh coffee in the hallway out the school’s auditorium. They shared their expectations, fears and hopes for their children’s year at their new school.

Osborn has approximately 55 new families in the school this year and the transition to a new school is often easier for the child than it is for their parents. The biannual event is designed to make that transition smoother by acclimating parents to the school year and the parent-teacher organization (PTO).  PTO new family welcome co-chairs Chiann Roveto and Gail Bergamini were there to receive the new moms.

“This meeting is designed for new families whose children are either entering kindergarten or they are completely new to the area with children in the upper grades that just joined the school,” said Roveto. “This is a way for parents to find out how they can get involved, who’s who and what they can expect in the upcoming year.”

After breakfast, the moms transitioned from the hallway into the auditorium where Osborn Elementary School’s principal, Clarita Zeppie, was present to formally greet the new moms.

“I hope you are enjoying your first full week here at Osborn.  I hope your kids are happy.  The most important objective is that your kids are happy and safe and we strive to meet their needs everyday. Please let me know if I can do anything to help with their transition here,” said Zeppie.

Their are so many families relocating to the Rye area from both near and far. Sraazia Syed, relocated back to Rye after eight years of living in Denver, Colo. Prior to the move out west, Syed lived in Rye Neck. Syed’s younger children, a fifth-grader and second-grader, attend Osborn.

“I am hoping that my children have nice teacher and that they will be challenged academically in school and will continue progressing," said Syed.  "My daughter who is currently in fifth grade was doing fifth grade work in fourth grade.  So I hope the school work will be comparable and that she won’t repeat what she has already done.”

Rye City is very community oriented in nature and that same sentiment seems to seep into the four walls of Osborn school. Debbie Baal was enthused that her son would become a part of a great community.

“My son just started kindergarten, it’s a whole new experience for him.  I hope my son will grow as an individual, to learn maybe how to read and meet new people,” said Baal. “I have met other parents and everyone seems really nice. Everyone is excited for their kids and excited to be a part of the community at Osborn. I am really looking forward to both my son and I becoming apart of this great community.”

Alison Prata, also a new mom of an Osborn kindergarten cub and a former school alumnus shared the joys of her son attending the school.

“Both my husband and I attended Osborn when we were in elementary school, so it’s a little surreal to be back here but we are excited,” said Prata. “I want my son to have a happy experience in kindergarten, make new friends and just enjoy loving school.  I am going to be volunteering in my son’s class and I am looking forward to the carnival.”

During the hour-long meeting, the moms heard from various PTO key component heads regarding important events during the school year like the school’s fall carnival and silent auction, wrapping paper sale and take your child to lunch day. The moms also gained important insight on various school policies and procedures.