CHICOPEE, Mass. - It was an emotional Wednesday morning for parents and staff as the Chicopee School District welcomed more than 6,000 students back for their first day.
What You Need To Know
- Wednesday was the first day of school for Chicopee School Disctrict students grades 1-12
- Sarah Moreau is one of the paraprofessionals at Bowe Elementary School
- Moreau has been teaching in the Chicopee School District for a decade
- The first day of school for Chicopee kindergarten and pre kindergarten students will be next Tuesday
"I'm excited and sad at the same time because he's getting older obviously, but excited that I have a couple minutes of alone time," said Bowe Elementary School Parent Stephanie Blanchard. "Also have a little kid at home, so."
"I am so excited to see my students back from last year," said Bowe Elementary School Paraprofessional Sarah Moreau. "My new students are coming in, all my students who will be up to 5th grade. I've been at this school for years now so I'm so excited that they're back."
Moreau was one of the paraprofessionals at Bowe Elementary School waving to families as they dropped off their kids. She has been teaching in the Chicopee School District for a decade and says she loves this time of year.
"It's just seeing these kids. They just bring smiles to my faces," Moreau said. "They give the best hugs. They lift up my day. I think I lift up theirs. It's all good."
The start of a new school year is a chance for a new beginning as well as an opportunity for growth, something these parents and staff say they're most looking forward to.
"It means a lot. It means he's getting older and smarter, which is scary and fun at the same time," said Blanchard. "He's curious so he loves being here and it just mean he gets to be with his fiends a lot so."
"Getting to know all the students that I have for this year," said Moreau. "Learning all the things that they like and just making it fun learning for them this year."
The first day of school for Chicopee kindergarten and pre-kindergarten students will be next Tuesday.