By Amanda Moses
After 18 months, New York City Public Schools resumed full time, in-person classes on Sept. 13th. Hundreds of children flocked to their schools in Spring Creek Towers, donning crisp uniforms and book bags, ready to start the year off with a semblance of normalcy.
How local school welcomed their new students:
The Starrett Early Learning Center (SELC) began their day making sure all students had their temperatures taken and wearing their masks. After creating name tags for each of the children, they engaged in fun activities, earned stickers for cleaning up, showed off their dance moves, and enjoyed a snack with milk.
Abe Stark Primary School (PS) 346 kicked off their first day with a Homecoming party featuring a live DJ, 360 photobooth, and balloons. Children posed with parents for first day photos of the 2021 school term, said good bye to their families, and secured their face masks as they set off to start a full day of in-person lessons.
Just outside of Frederick Douglass Academy (FDA) VIII a pannist performed Jamaican rhythmic sounds from steel pans while teachers waved cheerleader pom poms chanting, “Welcome back!” The middle schoolers smiled, gave their instructors high-fives, and excitedly greeted friends, many of whom they have not seen for several months.
Wearing bright blue t-shirts with the words “Together toward excellence 2021-2022 364 Falcons Homecoming,” the staff at Gateway Intermediate School (IS) 364 gave students a roaring welcome as they handed out masks.
Photos by Amanda Moses
