In physical education class, Locust students practiced jumping jacks on the first day. When Garden City Public Schools opened its doors for the new year on September 8th, even the weather seemed to know it was time to pack up the Bermuda shorts and tank tops and herald in the start of a new season. Under a hazy sky and with cool temperatures, little ones stepped off their buses or walked with parents and friends to the schools’ front doors where each primary and elementary principal welcomed the children to the 2009-2010 school year.

As with the younger students, secondary students began the day with new schedules and teachers, mapping out the best routes between classes and lockers, and renewing friendships with classmates missed over summer vacation.

One thing was very clear to parents and staff alike on Opening Day - the buildings gleamed from top to bottom; clean and beautiful and ready for teachers and students - evidence of the focused efforts of buildings and grounds and custodial staff members over the summer break.

This Homestead student in Mrs. Christine Kenney’s class summarized the opening day of school with a comment and illustration - “I am happy.” Welcome back to all of the students in Garden City Public Schools and best of luck for a successful 2009-2010 school year!

Homestead Principal Dr. Suzanne Viscovich coached this first grade group of class representatives as they recited the Pledge of Allegiance for morning announcements on Opening Day.
Stewart School Principal Linda Norton gave welcome “bumps” and “high 5s” to the students as they arrived on Opening Day.
Locust Principal Jean Ricotta reviewed an Opening Day poem with this student: “Like a raccoon’s first day at school, I was scared and a little shy, but because of what you said, I was brave and got by.”
Hemlock Principal Audrey Bellovin welcomed kindergarten and first grade students on the first day of school.
Principal Viscovich was the recipient of lots of spontaneous hugs on Homestead’s first day of school.
At Hemlock Primary School, Superintendent Dr. Robert Feirsen assisted students as they arrived on Opening Day.
Arriving on the first day of school with smiles and boisterous enthusiasm, these Stewart students were ready for the new school year.
This Locust student was congratulated with a bouquet of flowers by her mom and little sister at the end of the first day of school.
Teacher Aide Mrs. Barbara Rooney helped this Hemlock first grader debark from the school bus on Opening Day.
Second graders in Mrs. Tia Albig’s class at Stratford received useful gifts from the teacher to welcome them to her class.
These Science Research middle schoolers checked out summer algae growth under a microscope.
These eighth grade students at Garden City Middle School proved how tech-savvy they were in Ms. Alison Wallace’s Web Design class.
In Dr. Paraskevy Zaferiou’s Science Research class at the middle school, students jumped right into learning with a refresher class in the use of the science lab’s microscopes.
No Opening Day jitters here as Stewart School students take time for a photo op with Principal Norton.
At the Stratford School, Principal Diane Hopkins (left) and Assistant Principal Janet Gonzalez (right) joined Ms. Irene Mendonis (center) and her third grade class for their first group photo.
Students at the high school moved smoothly through the building on the first day of school.
On Opening Day in Mrs. Lea Brunetti’s Italian class, students were immediately immersed in the Italian language.
Mrs. DiMartino’s fifth grade class took a moment to organize their lockers on the first day of school at Stratford.
Friends reunited at Garden City High School on Opening Day.