Bristol Kindergartener Gets Special Ride For First Day Of School

By Justin Muszynski, The Bristol Press

Sept. 2, 2021

London Williams had a first day of school on Monday that she’ll likely never forget.

Most students take the bus to school or are dropped off by parents or guardians. London, however, received a special treat when she arrived to her first day at Ivy Drive School in one of the city’s fire trucks.

“I thought it was very exciting,” her mother, Antonia Cummings, said. “It’s a very nice thing the city does.”

Before school even started for the day, London said she already knew what the favorite part of her day would be.

“Riding in the fire truck,” the 4-year-old said.

London’s brother, Jayden, 6, said he was going to tell all his friends about his sister getting a special ride to school Monday morning, which included the city’s fire truck activating its red lights as it proceeded through the school’s driveway.

Cummings also said she believes the special ride London received to school would help her get acclimated on her first day of kindergarten.

“She’s very nervous about her first day,” the mother said. “She likes to be in the limelight.”

Cummings also thanked the city for allowing her daughter to get a ride to school aboard one of Bristol’s fire trucks.

Mayor Ellen Zoppo-Sassu, who was outside the school to greet London as she arrived, said the young girl was chosen during a raffle that consisted of names of children who were registered early for kindergarten.

“I think it’s a great incentive for our school readiness program,” the mayor said.

By registering their children early, parents and guardians make it easier for city officials to have a better idea of how many kindergarten students to anticipate each school year.

The number of students each year, Zoppo-Sassu said, “is sort of unknown.”

Those who register early make it much easier to plan for teachers and classroom services, the mayor continued.

London’s parents weren’t the only ones excited for the first day of school on Monday. Frank and Courtney Boemmels said they have three girls in the school system. The couple was looking forward to things getting back closer to normal.

“After a year of homeschooling, I’m excited for some alone time at the house,” Frank Boemmels said.

The father of three said he was looking forward to doing some home improvement projects and getting some other things done around the house.

Courtney Boemmels added that it was nice to see her children experience some normalcy after more than a year of things being turned upside down.

“It’s nice that they’re back with their friends,” Courtney Boemmels said. “They need it. We need it.”

Justin Muszynski can be reached at 860-973-1809 or jmuszynski@bristolpress.com.