Hen Hud Welcomes Back Students for 2012-13 School Year

Montrose, NY- With Labor Day weekend in the rearview mirror and the dog days of summer faded away, the welcomed back some 2600 students today, September 5, 2012. Early this morning the halls of Hen Hud were bustling with eager children ready to tackle the challenges that lay ahead in the 2012-13 school year.

In what has become a familiar sight each September, the streets of our community were lined with both students and parents as school busses rolled by to pick up their precious cargo. Teary-eyed parents bid farewell to their sons and daughters as they started kindergarten, while the Class of 2013 proudly entered  Hendrick Hudson High School on their last first day of school at Hen Hud, where they can finally be called Seniors.

At Buchanan-Verplanck Elementary School, Principal Josh Cohen greeted each student as he/she arrived at school. “It is important to start the year off on a positive note,” remarked Cohen. “I’m happy to welcome back our returning students and even more excited to welcome our new kindergartners to our building and our district.”

At Furnace Woods School, Kindergarten teachers Ellen Baig and Danielle Maccaronio led their class on a building tour disguised as a hunt for Chester the Raccoon (a tricky critter from children’s author Audrey Penn’s book series).

Meanwhile, students at Frank G. Lindsey Elementary School were busy learning to write their names and connect the dots in Jennifer Maldonado’s kindergarten class, while teacher Todd Leonardo took some time to read about the Adventures of Curious George to some wide-eyed first graders.

At Blue Mountain Middle School, newly minted 5^th graders were meeting new friends and navigating their way through their new school while trying to figure out the age old problem of how to open their lockers.

While today may have been the first day for students, yesterday was the first day for staff, at least officially. “Actually, teachers came in all summer to get classrooms ready in preparation for today,” remarked Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum, Instruction and Professional Personnel Dr. Alice Gottlieb. “The excitement and enthusiasm for the new school year has been palpable for weeks.”

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Hen Hud officials used Tuesday September 4 as a conference day to welcome back staff and introduce new staff. “The conference day provided an opportunity for our whole district to come together to celebrate a new year,” said Interim Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian Monahan.

“Schools opened today without a hitch,” commented Monahan who, along with Gottlieb and Assistant Superintendent for Business Enrique Catalan, visited schools this morning to ensure a smooth opening.

“It was great to see the staff and students back at work,” continued Monahan. “We are off to a great start and I am confident it is going to be a great year for our staff, students and the Hen Hud community,” he concluded.