The release of the school bus air brakes carried through the Edgartown School parking lot Tuesday morning like the final sigh of summer as students returned for the start of another school year.
Some kids appeared more enthusiastic than others. But for assistant principal Anne Fligor it is her favorite day of the academic year.
“It’s the same energy each year. The same thrill and excitement, but starting new all over again,” Mrs. Fligor said after the she welcomed the Chappaquiddick students off the bus, greeting them with hugs and directing them towards the entrance to the school.
Standing to the side of Ms. Fligor was Edgartown police officer Curtis Chandler. Though he was in full uniform, he was off duty for the morning to wish his son and daughter good luck on their first day of school.
“They were a little sad summer is over, but they’re excited,” he said. “I know my son [Johnny, grade 3] is looking forward to fishing the derby this fall. And my daughter [Adeline, grade 1] is excited about getting homework for the first time.”
Many students who arrived early headed towards the playground first, hoping to stretch the final minutes of summer to the limit. Fourth grader Griffin Craig said the highlight of his summer was split between the beach and the arcade.
“At the end of each summer me and my dad swim to the buoy . . . at State Beach,” Griffin said. “But it was low tide when we went, so we got to walk to the buoy this year.”
Asked if he was excited for the school year to start, his answer was similar to many other students: a shrug of the shoulders and a tilt of the head.
“Meh-meh,” he said.
From a poll conducted of approximately 20 students, gym was heavily favored as the most anticipated class of the year, with a slight competition from recess.
“Recess is my favorite because we get to run around,” said third-grader Joey Holland, who ran in two 5K races over the summer. “I really like to run.”
Up Island at the Chilmark School, head of school Susan Stevens stood in the doorway welcoming her students with hugs and questions about their summer vacation, alongside K-1 assistant teacher Robin Moriarty.
“It’s good to be back, and it still feels a bit like summer,” said Ms. Moriarty. “The second and third grade brought in summer artifacts.”
Dylan Waldman brought in a bonito tail and his fisherman’s preservation trust baseball hat. Second grader Ezra Belisle slung his John Deere tractor backpack over his shoulders, while his father, Rev. Ernest Belisle of the Chilmark Community Church, laughed at the sight.
“Ezra thinks he’s a real farm boy now,” Reverend Belisle said. The Belisle family moved from South Yarmouth to the Vineyard in June.
At 8:15, Mrs. Stevens rang the school bell to start morning meeting. Students and many of their families gathered in a circle inside the school.
“This is the largest morning meeting we’ve ever had, let’s have a round of applause for that” said Ms. Stevens. Fifty-eight students are enrolled in the K-5 school this year.
The second and third grade class led morning meeting, which consisted of the Pledge of Allegiance and announcements. Music, theatre and art teacher Donna Swift added some classical music to the mix.
“We’ll be listening to a piece of music every meeting and learning a bit about the composer,” she said. “I don’t speak French but this piece is titled Le Matin, which means morning.”
After the music and a few minutes of reflection, the group sang the Chilmark School song to officially start the new year. By the looks of it, every child already knew the lyrics and dance steps.
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