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Photos: Wilton’s Our Lady of Fatima students head back to school

Jeannette Ross

Sep. 1, 2020

Children in blue and white uniforms, many wearing shorts and knee socks, spilled out of cars Monday morning as Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Academy opened its doors to children in kindergarten through eighth grade. They were returning to school for the first time since mid-March to begin the new year.

"The student drop-off this morning went without a hitch and the kids were so excited to come to school," said Susan Miller, a parent who helps out at school.

Our Lady of Fatima kindergartener Harrison McCarthy has his temperature taken before class by nurse Susan Schneider on Monday, Aug. 31. While some things were different — masks and temperature checks before students went in — some were not. There were “a few parents with teary eyes — as would be expected on the first day of school,” Miller said. Waiting just outside the school doors to greet students were teachers, school nurse Susan Schneiderprincipal Stanley Steele, and Father Reggie Norman, pastor of Our Lady of Fatima Church. — Bryan Haeffele / Hearst Connecticut Media
Our Lady of Fatima kindergartener Harrison McCarthy has his temperature taken before class by nurse Susan Schneider on Monday, Aug. 31.

While some things were different — masks and temperature checks before students went in — some were not.

There were “a few parents with teary eyes — as would be expected on the first day of school,” Miller said.

Waiting just outside the school doors to greet students were teachers, school nurse Susan Schneiderprincipal Stanley Steele, and Father Reggie Norman, pastor of Our Lady of Fatima Church.

From left, school nurse Susan Schneider, Pre-K teacher Rebecca Nota-Gammardella, principal Stanley Steele, Father Reggie Norman greet students returning to class at Old Lady of Fatima Catholic Academy. Owing to its small class sizes that are capped at 14, Our Lady of Fatima is planning in-person classes for all students every day. Classes will take place indoors and outside. A hybrid model is not planned, Steele said when discussing the opening last month. If needed, the school has a template for remote learning. Pre-K classes will begin Tuesday, Sept. 8. — Bryan Haeffele / Hearst Connecticut Media
From left, school nurse Susan Schneider, Pre-K teacher Rebecca Nota-Gammardella, principal Stanley Steele, Father Reggie Norman greet students returning to class at Old Lady of Fatima Catholic Academy.

Owing to its small class sizes that are capped at 14, Our Lady of Fatima is planning in-person classes for all students every day. Classes will take place indoors and outside.

A hybrid model is not planned, Steele said when discussing the opening last month. If needed, the school has a template for remote learning.

Pre-K classes will begin Tuesday, Sept. 8.

Our Lady of Fatima eighth grader Chloe Thompson heads to class on the first day of school carrying a beach blanket for classes that may be held outdoors. — Bryan Haeffele / Hearst Connecticut Media
Our Lady of Fatima eighth grader Chloe Thompson heads to class on the first day of school carrying a beach blanket for classes that may be held outdoors.

Our Lady of Fatima second grader Olivia Goldbaum has her temperature taken by school nurse Susan Schneider before going into school. — Bryan Haeffele / Hearst Connecticut Media
Our Lady of Fatima second grader Olivia Goldbaum has her temperature taken by school nurse Susan Schneider before going into school.

First day of school at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Academy brought a line-up of cars to the school on Danbury Road in Wilton. — Bryan Haeffele / Hearst Connecticut Media
First day of school at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Academy brought a line-up of cars to the school on Danbury Road in Wilton.