First Day Runs Smoothly As Students Return To School In Darien

DARIEN, CT — Superintendent Alan Addley said students' return to school in Darien this week could not have gone any smoother.

According to Addley, there was a feeling of excitement and anticipation among students as they greeted each other and entered school buildings Monday.

"It's a special day on the school calendar, both for teachers and students," Addley said, "and it was wonderful to see the entire school community come back together again, because not everybody was back together las year.

Addley said students were excited to kick off the 2021-2022 school year, and teachers were passionately ready to receive and welcome them.

Monday also marked the first day for new principals at Middlesex Middle School, Hindley Elementary School and Tokeneke Elementary School, as well as five new assistant principals at various schools.

The superintendent also noted mask wearing and social distancing, in light of the ongoing coronavirus crisis, went smoothly Monday.

"[Staff and students] tend to transition quickly to new expectations," Addley said, "or in this case it's an ongoing expectation...but they were just so glad to see everybody and to be back in the classroom with their friends."

Drop off and pickup at schools in town ran just as smooth due to many students deciding to ride the bus this year as opposed to being dropped off by car, the latter of which is typical for the first day of school.

"Traditionally, spots such as Ox Ridge [Elementary School] and [Middlesex] Middle School are very hard to navigate, and they ran rather smoothly today," Addley said. "That doesn't mean to say that it will run smoothly tomorrow, but...it seems like more students were comfortable enough riding the bus this year."

Police Sgt. James Palmieri said officers did not encounter and significant traffic issues on the first day of school, during which regular duty officers were assigned to major intersections in town that have been congested during pickup and drop off times in the past. Extra officers were also brought on duty to assist with traffic flow into and out of various school campuses.

"This was all in addition to our regular cadre of school crossing guards," Palmieri said, "who assist with students walking to and from school."

Overall, Addley expressed gratitude to the town and said it is always nice to see its residents support education and students in Darien.

"I just appreciate the community's support," Addley said, "from our parents to our police services, to the board [of education], to everybody who supported the first day."

Patch has reached out to the Darien Board of Education for further information.