Westfield Goes Back to School

Westfield schools reopened Wednesday morning as over 6,000 students, the district's largest enrollment in 30 years, returned from summer vacation for another school year.

The first day jitters were noticeable with many of the students, and some of the parents, entering Lincoln School for the first day of kindergarten. The school, the district's early childhood learning center, will be serving 312 students this year. Principal Audrey Zavetz was on hand to greet her charges and get them settled as the school year begins.

"I'm so excited," Zavetz said of the start of the school year.

Zavetz said her faculty would be spending the day getting the students into the school routine, along with engaging in a Westfield tradition. Teachers were planning on having students spend a few minutes today getting their wooden apples together, which many were seen wearing as they left school. The apples have traditionally been given to every Westfield student on the first day of kindergarten and then the students are asked to wear them to their graduation from Westfield High School. Many of the graduates in the WHS Class of 2009 wore their apples to June's graduation ceremony.

After having their students assigned to classes during a morning ceremony led by Zavetz, Lincoln parents attended a coffee and dessert reception sponsored by the school's Parent Teacher Organization. During her reception remarks Zavetz assured the packed gymnasium that there were no tears in the school's classrooms. Parents spent part of the reception learning about the school's volunteer opportunities.

"I'm looking forward to a brand new school," said parent Lisa Zabarsky. "It has great teachers."

Across town at the end of the day, the lawn surrounding Washington Elementary School was packed as parents greeted their children after the first day of school. An energy was in the air as students ran out of the building eager to share their first day experiences with parents and friends.

"It was good," Washington second grader Liam Culkin said. "My teacher is very good."