Welcome back
Students at Emily Brittain and Broad Street elementary schools received a hearty welcome as they arrived for the first day of the 2021-22 school year Thursday morning.
Butler Area Public Library librarians held colorful signs aloft and cheered as young students and their parents arrived at Emily Brittain on foot.
“Hooray, hooray, it's your first day!,” “Have a great school year” and “First day of school!” were among the sentiments on the handheld posterboard signs.
“It's exciting to welcome activity back to our community after a long few months and to show all of the students in Butler County that the library is here to support them,” said Tiffany Harkleroad, the library's youth services librarian.Kimberly van Driel, pastor at First English Lutheran Church in Butler, shook a tambourine and cheered when students and parents arrived at the corner of Penn and Washington streets near the school's entrance.Three First English Lutheran congregation members also welcomed the students with a flag and bell.Van Driel said the church and its congregation worked with Emily Brittain's administration in a community partnership.“We had to welcome the students back and show them our support in another year of pandemic schooling,” van Driel said. “We want them to know we are cheering for them.”
Christina Braden, the school-age site director at the Butler YMCA across the street from the school, waited on the opposite corner with her backpack-toting daycare clients as they waited for the school buses that would take them to their respective elementary schools.“I think it's great that all the people came out to wish the kids a great first day of school,” Braden said.Cassie Pencek, Emily Brittain's principal, was excited to see so many community members there to welcome the students.“Knowing they have all these people who love them and can't wait for them to be here is huge,” she said. “I think it sets them up for success on their very first day.”
Pencek's goal is a strong connection between the school and its surrounding community.“Our students really are a part of the community and will be a part of the commuity,” she said.Mersadize Dunmyer and Jenneeka Williams, sixth-graders on their way to Butler Middle School on East North Street, stopped to marvel at the welcoming display at Emily Brittain.“I think it's really good for kids who are anxious, especially if they are going to a new school or just starting school,” Mersadize said.Jenneeka said she was surprised by the throng at the corner.“If they're kids (who) are scared to meet new people, the kids will know the school is welcoming,” she said.Gary Shingleton, a retired Butler High School social studies teacher who attended Emily Brittain as a child, showed up on his 1983 scooter.He attached a sign saying “Welcome to our Emily Brittain community” to the scooter as a sort of windshield.“Not just because of COVID, these kids and parents need a little pick-me-up,” Shingleton said of his reasoning for coming to welcome students on his unusual vehicle. “I think once we get the ball rolling, it's going to be contagious.”A special visitor arrived just as a busload of students had finished entering the building.
Brian White, Butler Area superintendent, smiled widely as the excited youngsters zipped into the school under the watchful eye of staff members.“I'm thrilled to see the energy and support from the community,” White said of those who came to welcome students. “I know the kids appreciate it, and you can feel their positive energy as they walk into school.”Mallory Gillespie took photos of her son, Luca, in front of a huge “Welcome Emily Brittain Scholars” sign in the school's front yard.Luca is entering third grade.“I think it's a good thing to get the kids in the mood for school,” Gillespie said. “I'm happy things are semi-back-to-normal because last year ... was quite a year.”Mike and Suzanne Yockey brought their daughter, Melody, and son, James, both kindergartners, to their first day of school at Emily Brittain.The couple appreciated the hoopla Thursday morning.“It makes it more fun for the students. It makes it more welcoming, and they were excited to see the decorations,” Suzanne said. “It helps with the first-day jitters.”Braylon Campbell, a fifth grader waiting on the corner near Emily Brittain for his bus, stared at the adults waving happy signs around and ringing bells for the younger students.
“I think it's really nice, but very confusing at first,” Braylon said, “but it eventually makes sense.”He said his two little brothers are attending Emily Brittain this year.“They'll jump around and freak out that they're going to school,” Braylon said.Vanessa Boyd, principal at Broad Street Elementary, was pleased with the positive turnout Thursday morning at the school, which reopened this year after a six-year closure.Boyd said local residents came to the playground after Wednesday afternoon's rainstorm to clean up mud, so that students wouldn't get dirty on Thursday.Others sent flowers or emails wishing a great school year to Boyd and her “scholars,” which is how Boyd refers to her 155 students.Many parents used the huge yard sign reading “Welcome Broad Street Scholars” as a photo opportunity on Thursday.“We had lots of smiling faces this morning,” Boyd said.
