By Thane Grauel

WESTPORT — Temperatures and humidity are still high, and beaches remain very swimmable, but for families with school-age children Tuesday morning essentially marked the end of summer.

Westport’s public schools opened for classes, and a new school year. The buzz of late summer insects mixed with early morning diesel chatter of buses navigating routes between neighborhoods and schools.

The town this year has 5,320 students enrolled.

Officials reported that enrollment was higher than projected, and staff turnover was even more challenging, requiring the hiring of more than 100 new personnel.

For children and their parents, there was a mix of optimism, and some sadness to see a favorite season slip away.

“Yes!” said one dad triumphantly after dropping a student at Saugatuck Elementary School on Tuesday morning. “A quiet house!”

Outside the school, there were lots of photos of kids in their new school clothes, and a few tears.

Sophia Farquhar, 9, was glad to be starting fourth grade, and not really sad to see the summer go.

“I went to a café with chihuahuas,” she said when asked about any memorable experiences over the summer. “In Edinburgh, Scotland.”

Not far away on Burr Road, Rich Space was beginning his 11^th year as crossing guard for King’s Highway Elementary School. He didn’t know how many walkers he’ll have this year, but had to coach the new families on where to cross, and when.

Ari Sigalow was walking to the school with his mom, Ellissia. He’s starting fifth grade, and turns 11 in September.

He had a good summer.

“I went surfing in Mexico,” Ari said.

The Aptons were walking with Lucy, 5, who’s starting kindergarten. The family spent time in Maine, and did a lot of the summer activities Westport had to offer.

Connal Treanor, 7, entering second grade, and Sebastian McGuinn, 9, entering fourth, spent some time in Montana. They were reminded that their dog, a rescued Australian Shepherd name Trapper, couldn’t complete the trek to school.

Superintendent gives everyone high marks

“We had a very, very successful first day,” Superintendent of Schools Thomas Scarice said Tuesday afternoon.

“We had a lot more kids than we had anticipated, but we were fully staffed and all set to welcome them all in,” he said.

“The overall energy and tone in the buildings is about as positive as I’ve seen in the 26 years I’ve been in education,” Scarice said.

“I am so just humbled to have a faculty, support staff and administration that is focused on truly building back our culture and community that we lost due to the pandemic,” he said. “People are refreshed, energized, and happy to just put COVID behind us, and to really see those smiling faces without masks to start the year off.”

Thane Grauel, the Westport Journal executive editor, grew up in Westport and has been a journalist in Fairfield County and beyond more than three decades. Learn more about us here.