Wednesday dawned bright and sunny as scores of North Fork parents sent their children off for the first day of school with new backpacks, lunch boxes, and big smiles.
Proud parents brought cameras to capture forever memories, and some were teary-eyed as they watched their little ones hop off the school bus and embark on a new journey.
A traditional bagel breakfast was held to welcome students at the Southold middle and high schools, and kids enjoyed music and class photos before heading in to kick off a new semester.
At Greenport schools, parents dropped off their children for the first-ever all-day Pre-K program,and welcomed new interim high school principal Robert Feeney — and new superindent David Gamberg ,who will also be superintendent at the Southold school district in a shared position.
In a letter to families on the Greenport school district website, Gamberg wrote, “The start of any school year is filled with many emotions. If a child is about to begin the journey as a Pre-K or kindergarten student, they are taking the first steps toward the time they will graduate in 2028 or 2027. Students who enter the school in September 2014, as seniors, are preparing for their final steps towards commencement in June 2015.
The world of today and tomorrow is rapidly changing. The job of any community and all schools, in neighborhoods throughout New York and the nation, is to preserve and honor traditions of the past and find ways to best prepare for an ever-changing future. In this, my first year with the Greenport School District and community, I will work to uphold valuable traditions that have shaped the culture of this very special place to live and learn. I welcome your input and insights as I get to know you at art shows, concerts, Friday night football and basketball games, PTA meetings, and at places around town.
Raising and educating children is our most important job. In the words of Abraham Lincoln: ‘A child is a person who is going to carry on what you have started. He is going to sit where you’re sitting, and when you’re gone; attend to those things, which are important. You may adopt all the policies you please, but how they are carried out depends on him. He will assume control of your cities, states, and nation. He is going to move in and take over your churches, schools, universities and corporations. The fate of humanity is in his hands.’ I look forward to the journey ahead.”
The Mattituck-Cutchogue Union Free School District welcomed new superintendent Dr. Anne Smith, and Katheen Devine, who will serve as the new principal of Cutchogue East Elementary School.
School started on a somber note in Mattituck, Smith wrote on the district’s website as a community still mourns Kaitlyn Doorhy, who died tragically recently.
“While our hearts are breaking for the Doorhy family with the passing of their daughter Kaitlyn, class of 2012; we will continue to support each other and the family at this difficult time,” Smith wrote. “I look forward to working with everyone this year as we make our plans with students at the center. The shared purpose of the Mattituck-Cutchogue UFSD, to help our students Learn Well – Stay Safe – Participate – and Graduate, will guide us. Our theme this year is from our district mission statement: ‘Nurturing a passion for life and learning.’ Including the voices of all stakeholders will be a priority.”
And in Cutchogue, a new principal, Alexandra Conlan, has also been busy making plans for the new semester.
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