By Larissa Dudkiewicz
As Ambridge Area students headed back to school today, some were greeted by district administrators as they boarded yellow school buses.
As Ambridge Area students headed back to school today, some were greeted by district administrators as they boarded yellow school buses.
Superintendent Cynthia Zurchin, one of several school officials who joined students on their morning ride, caught the bus at Crestview Village in Ambridge for the second year in a row and headed to Highland Elementary.
Zurchin handed out pencils to the K-6 students, played the song “Good Morning” and even danced a little with the kids, who were excited to talk about summer vacation and the new school year, she said.
“The kids were so well behaved on the bus, they were great,” Zurchin said.
Riding the bus on the first day of school has become a tradition that Zurchin started when she worked in the Pittsburgh Public Schools. This year, she was joined by Business Manager Minnie Baker, two social workers Stephanie Haase and Karen Moser, and director of special education Travis Minert.
“I think it’s so important to never forget what it’s like for a child to go back to school...to put yourself back into the shoes of the students and to reach out to the parents and the community,” she said.
“It was a wonderful experience for me and the kids to see the excitement. The first day is an indication of how the rest of the year will go, so we’re headed in the right direction.”
Throughout the day, Zurchin visited the junior high and all of the elementary school buildings, where she witnessed lots of excitement among students and staff.
“I even had students cheering at State Street Elementary about getting new reading and math books,” she said.
Besides a few busing hiccups, Zurchin said opening day went much smoother compared to last year.
Barry King, high school co-principal, also noted that today’s opening to the school year was possible the best yet.
“I think we had such a great opening this year because it’s a good team truly coming together and supporting one another--regardless if its their actual responsibility or not--to make it good for the kids and the community. And I saw it today.”
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Zurchin handed out pencils to the K-6 students, played the song “Good Morning” and even danced a little with the kids, who were excited to talk about summer vacation and the new school year, she said.
“The kids were so well behaved on the bus, they were great,” Zurchin said.
Riding the bus on the first day of school has become a tradition that Zurchin started when she worked in the Pittsburgh Public Schools. This year, she was joined by Business Manager Minnie Baker, two social workers Stephanie Haase and Karen Moser, and director of special education Travis Minert.
“I think it’s so important to never forget what it’s like for a child to go back to school...to put yourself back into the shoes of the students and to reach out to the parents and the community,” she said.
“It was a wonderful experience for me and the kids to see the excitement. The first day is an indication of how the rest of the year will go, so we’re headed in the right direction.”
Throughout the day, Zurchin visited the junior high and all of the elementary school buildings, where she witnessed lots of excitement among students and staff.
“I even had students cheering at State Street Elementary about getting new reading and math books,” she said.
Besides a few busing hiccups, Zurchin said opening day went much smoother compared to last year.
Barry King, high school co-principal, also noted that today’s opening to the school year was possible the best yet.
“I think we had such a great opening this year because it’s a good team truly coming together and supporting one another--regardless if its their actual responsibility or not--to make it good for the kids and the community. And I saw it today.”
Like Ambridge Connection on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and sign up for our weekly newsletter.
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