They're Back! Canton's Students Kick Off New School Year

CANTON, MA - Student and staff spirits were soaring Wednesday morning at the Hansen Elementary School, as many reunited for the first time since the pandemic began in the spring of last year.

As they bounded off the buses, they were greeted by two special guests - Interim Superintendent Derek Folan and state Sen. Walter Timilty - who clapped for them as they wished them a successful school year.

"Have you ever heard of the golden dome?" asked Timilty of a group of excited youngsters as they asked about his job. "That's where we make the laws for the whole state."

Timilty offered to have them come to visit him on a field trip later in the year, which brought a few cheers.

Students talked and giggled excitedly, toting backpacks and gifts for teachers as they talked with Tiilty and Folan about the importance of reading, working hard and who their favorite players on the New England Patriots are.

Folan high-fived and fist bumped students who greeted him as they walked down the sidewalk, which was decorated with chalk-drawn flowers and words of welcome.

"I feel so excited," said fifth-grade teacher Naomi Akan. "I'm really looking forward to a great school year, and it's wonderful to see all the students back together. In my heart, I'm like, 'We can do this. Let's do this!"

She jumped and waved her hands enthusiastically as some of her students ran toward her, sharing their summer memories.

"It's a very postive, optimistic feeling," she added. "After everything we've gone through in the past year and a half, we need to celebrate."

"It's exciting to see the kids coming in with high energy and excited to learn," added Samantha Malley, an ABA teacher. "They are doing really well wearing their masks. It's going to be a great year."

Folan pointed out some of the fourth- and fifth-graders wearing Adidas backpacks with a C for Canton on the back. Each student in those grades was given a backpack provided by CAASA, the Canton Alliance Against Substance Abuse. The backpacks also featured the CAASA logo.

"They are filled with all fun back-to-school-stuff and things to help them stay healthy and stay safe," he added. "The high school students involved in a new group, the Student Welness Advisory Group packed them."

"They have all the provisions now," noted Timilty.

Also included in each backpack was an autographed picture of Kevin Rooney, a Canton native and professional ice hockey forward with the New York Rangers, who spoke at the CAASA benefit last night.

"Hope springs eternal," Timilty said. "The first day of school is an exciting day, and everyone has high hopes. It's great to see the enthusiasm from the parents, the students and the teachers.

"It's a wonderful school system in a great town" he added, noting that Folan "will do a great job" as he leads the district as the interim superintendent.

"I think it's beyond exciting to open up school," Folan added. "It is always a very special moment for families and kids. We've made a lot of emphasis to bring a lot of joy to this year, especially after last year.

"We know how important it is to have great relationships with the community so that kids can learn to be the best they can be," he added. "They need to know they are loved and cared for and have great relationships. And that starts on Day One."

Hansen Principal David Brauninger said he was happy that opening day went so well.

"It's always one of the more exciting days of the year," he said. "There's true joy both on the parent side and the kid side."

While the school did very well last year with the remote experience, he stressed that nothing beats in-person learning and the relationships the kids form in class.

He added that parents have been understanding about the mask policy for schools.

"We've been really fortunate that families are great partners," he said. "I think regardless of how folks feel about it, they follow the protocols. It's all about trying to keep everyone as safe as possible.

"We're not quite back to where we were before COVID," Brauninger added. "But we're so much closer than we were last year because we can have more traditional experiences for school and staff."