GREENFIELD — Thirteen-year-old Kaylin Williams likes to enjoy a few quiet moments in the car before heading into class each morning, especially on the first day of a new school year.
On Tuesday, she and her mom, Ashley Williams, spent about 10 minutes parked in front of Greenfield Central Junior High School — Snapchatting, giggling and chatting with her little sister, 4-year-old Addison Hampton, who was strapped in a booster in the back seat.
Behind their parked SUV, a steady stream of vehicles snaked their way toward school’s front entrance, where students were dropped off for the first day of school.
Greenfield-Central schools kicked off the new school year on Tuesday, Aug. 2.
While many students said they were excited to be back in class with friends, others admitted to being a little anxious about what the new school year would bring.
Thirteen-year-old Ally Herrin hadn’t slept a wink since 2:14 a.m.
“I just couldn’t sleep. Nerves, I guess,” she said, as she sat among a sea of students in the junior high’s gymnasium, where car riders reported for the first day of school.
While she’s excited to be back in school with friends, Herrin said she’s also a little anxious about her eighth grade classes.
“I think the work is going to be harder,” she said.
On the other end of the bleachers, Gabriel Elliott was equally anxious as he prepared to navigate his way through the sprawling junior high for the first time. The seventh grader attended Maxwell Intermediate School last year and was a little nervous about finding his way to class and using a locker for the first time.
Sporting matching green sneakers and green glasses, the 12-year-old said he put some thought into the army green shirt he wore for the first day of school. He wore Army green in honor of his oldest sister, Tristan, who serves in the U.S. Army. His middle sister, Laney Elliott, a senior at Greenfield-Central High School, dropped him off at school that day on her way to start her senior year.
Dr. Lori Katz, Director of Secondary Education for the Greenfield-Central schools, knows that the district’s students each experience a wide range of emotions on the first day of school.
To help ease the transition, she enlisted the help of two service dogs — Ky and Kaden — who visited students at multiple schools on Tuesday.
The pair of furry Aussiedoodles — who belong to one of the school district’s nurses — happily greeted students who were returning after a two-month-long summer break.
“The first day of school can be stressful, and therapy dogs can help alleviate that stress,” said Katz, as she and Ky greeted students as they pulled up in front of the junior high school Tuesday morning.
Katz said the new school year marked a fresh start for both students and staff after the past two years have been marred by COVID protocols and virtual learning.
“I’m just excited to have everybody back. It feels like we’re finally getting back to normal,” she said.
Jim Bever, the junior high school’s principal, agreed.
“We’re excited to have our kids back,” said Bever, echoing sentiments felt by administrators throughout the district.
“Weston’s arrival went very well today,” said Meg Welch, principal at Weston Elementary School. “All Weston staff members were stationed around the building to welcome our students and help them find their classrooms. We are excited to begin another great year.”
