New school year begins with support, optimism

 

When the doors at Mill Road Elementary School opened at 8:40 Wednesday morning, students didn’t immediately come in. Staff went out.

Principal Brian Boyd and many building educators greeted families and students with warm smiles and high-fives as they made their way from bus to building. Some students, as they lugged backpacks half their size, walked with friends or younger siblings entering the school for the first time.

For pre-K learners, teachers stood at the entrance ready to receive them and ensure they knew where to go on their first day. Three miles and 10 years away at the high school, staff likewise directed ninth-grade students staring down at printed schedules unsure of where to go first.

Around the Red Hook Central School District Wednesday, the first day of the 2024-25 school year began with optimism and support. Staff in each building said the goal of the day was to get children settled in, with orientation assemblies planned for the coming days.

“For some of our students, this is their first school experience,” Boyd said. “Even our fifth graders on the other end, teachers are meeting them at the door.”

As the high school students flooded through the main entrance, many took note of the building’s new appearance, with several hallways and stairways painted to better match the school’s red, white and gray colors. Each of the schools received improvements over the summer, with many new doors and windows at the high school, renovations in the Linden Avenue gymnasium and broad exterior renovations to Mill Road, with new windows and red paneling.

Patrick Totman walked through the high school lobby and toward the cafeteria with a wide smile, greeting a couple of friends and staff members as he went.

“I’m just happy to be back,” the junior said. His goal for the day, other than reuniting with more familiar faces, was to get to know what materials he would need for the year. “I threw two binders and two notebooks in my backpack.”

Some students who play fall sports already returned to the school for preseason a week earlier, and received a sneak peak at the construction projects around the school. For much of the summer the ceilings at the high school had been removed as work was completed on its cooling system.

Maggie Rifenburg and Cami Palumbo, both juniors on the volleyball team, both said it was a little weird to see the school in unfinished form. Rifenburg said she’s excited to begin her film analysis class and to begin the volleyball season. Palumbo said her goal for the day was to fill out her schedule, removing study hall periods. Both juniors said they were looking forward to baking class.

“I love baking,” Palumbo said. “Ms. (Carole Anne) Miles is one of my favorite teachers.”

The school was aflutter with activity for about 20 minutes, as some students made their way through and others sought help from Principal Kyle Roddey and other staff members finding classrooms. However, the halls quickly fell silent as classes began.

As for that morning greeting at Mill Road – which will be repeated through the week – Assistant Principal Kristen Strothmann noted it likely also helps parents, some of whom moments before the school opened were crouched close to their young learner.

“They may have some nerves coming into the day,” Strothmann said. “For them to see all of these happy, welcoming adults who are going to help their kid as soon as they get there, I think, is very comforting to them.”

Of course, Boyd noted, the educators are doing more than providing a warm welcome; they’re using that time to start their work before the first bell rings.

“It’s a chance to gauge where a student is emotionally in the morning,” he said. “You can see who’s having a rough morning, who’s ready to acclimate to school. I think even that quick personal connection makes a difference for a lot of students.”