By Thane Grauel

WESTPORT — With cicadas buzzing a reminder that summer’s not really over yet, more than 5,000 children trekked Tuesday to the first day of classes at Westport’s public schools.

They boarded big yellow buses (with a new company for the first time in decades), piled into cars and SUVs, and walked the old-fashioned way to the town’s elementary, middle and high schools.

The Sarly family took photos in front of Saugatuck Elementary School before heading for the side entrance.

Emma posed with what looked like a movie clapboard, detailing it was her first day of third grade.

Her father, Ben, and mother, Anna, said their boy Nicky was entering kindergarten. The youngest brother, Max, is in preschool.

“We got a dog!” Emma said when asked if they did anything fun over the summer.

“And we went to the Hamptons to see our best of friends,” she added.

The line of cars and SUVs dropping students at the side entry appeared to be moving well, not backing up onto Riverside Avenue, where a police officer directed traffic. A couple of youngsters gave school staff hugs, and there were a calls of “Love you!” from parents (enjoy that while you can) watching their children venture off.

Outside Kings Highway Elementary School, crossing guard Rich Space was at his regular post, shepherding kids, some parents and even a few dogs across Burr Road. By a little after 9 a.m., he had counted 22 students crossing.

Parents stopped to get photos. Most children seemed eager for their first day, some dashing onto school grounds.

Serena Baker crossed the road with Lucia, a new fourth-grader, and Isabel, going into second grade.

Asked what they enjoyed about their summer, they said visiting Splish Splash. “A water park,” the mom said.

Asked if they were excited to go back to school, both gave an enthusiastic, “Yes!”

Superintendent reports “a great day“

“Overall, it was a great day,” Supt. of Schools Thomas Scarice reported late Tuesday afternoon. (Read about what’s in store for Westport’s new academic year by clicking here, and for 2023-24 issues like school sports parity, enrollment and the education budget by clicking here.)

“Two new principals [Brian Byrne at Greens Farms Elementary and Parthena Proskinitopoulos at Coleytown Middle],” he said.

“A new transportation provider,” he said of First Student, which replaced DATTCO. “There were some obvious operational glitches, which we’ll work through in the coming weeks.”

He noted the bus company has “a full stable of drivers.” Staffing driver positions has been difficult in the region in recent years.

“Overall, a very successful day at Staples,” Scarice said. “We welcomed the freshmen in the morning, and the upperclassmen after that. It was very well received.”

“We’ll be back tomorrow monitoring everything,” he said. “Before you know it, we’ll be in a routine.”

Thane Grauel grew up in Westport and has been a journalist in Fairfield County and beyond for 35 years. Reach him at editor@westportjournal.com. Learn more about us here.