Middlesex schools embrace an earlier start to school year

by Tom Chillemi –

Teachers greeted their kindergarten students who stood in line quietly. There was apprehension for a few, parents who were letting go, as well as students as they took this big step — graduating out into a world that will be theirs for 13 years, and probably more.

But it was all smiles from the “team” at MES, who wore pink T-shirts with a big anchor on the back and the school motto, “Sailing to Success — Anchored in Student Excellence.”

Ready to learn

A kindergartener, Mason Gilbert must have gotten in the wrong line and was led inside MES too soon. As speech pathologist Loretta Parham Friday led him out the door back to his correct teacher, he said pleadingly, “I’m not ready to leave.” A few minutes later a smiling Mason, leading the line back into the school, deliberately walked slowly when he saw someone trying to take a photo.

On schedule

While the summer may have ended early for the schools, next summer will start on time. This is the third year of a pre-Labor Day school start for Middlesex County Public Schools, said Seitz. “The first year was the 2020-2021 school year when we opened ‘virtually,’ so that was quite different,” she explained. “An earlier start puts all of our students on the same calendar as our regional partner programs and allows our school year to end at the beginning of June, a time when we start to see energies wane when the summer is beginning.”

Helping here and there

Seitz made the rounds on Monday, working where needed. She helped deliver a flower that first grader Frances Eberline wanted to give her teacher Robin Lambert. Frances had forgotten it and her grandmother brought it to the office.

Seitz, who graduated from Middlesex High School, and is a former Middlesex teacher and principal, also briefly covered an elementary classroom when a teacher had to step out.

At Middlesex High School she assisted a couple of students with finding their classrooms.

“I spent time in all of our schools, including Compass Academy,” said Seitz, “and I was thrilled with all of the smiles and positive energy that abounded!”