Hope fills the air on first day back to school in Wilton

Twins Aurora, left, and Winnie Gulati, 6, are glad to be heading back to second grade at Miller-Driscoll on Sept. 8, 2020, in Wilton, Conn.

“So far everything seems to be pretty smooth,” said Superintendent of Schools Kevin Smith, who made the tour of all the schools in the early morning, finally arriving at Miller-Driscoll to say hi to parents and help guide the students from cars and buses.

“We’re excited to have kids back in school for sure,” he said. “It’s been a long time and this is all very, very positive.”

“We’re excited,” said math coach Laura Connell, who arrived early with her own daughter Emily, 7, who is entering second grade.

Robert Gibbons, III, 7, heads into school for the start of second grade at Miller-Driscoll on Sept. 8, 2020, in Wilton, Conn.

“It’s just going to be so good to see the kids,” she said. “It’s going to be great.”

Parents, likewise, expressed their appreciation for the arrival of in-person instruction.

“I think the Board of Ed and the administrators have really done a good job of preparing everyone,” said Jennifer Jaehnig, whose daughters Scarlett, 6, and Alice, 7, headed to class.

Paraprofessional Mary Jarboe helps guide students from the bus for their first day of in-person classes at Miller-Driscoll on Sept. 8, 2020, in Wilton, Conn.

“It feels good,” she said. “Our kids are very excited to go back to school.”

Several drop-off spots for parents were in operation at the school, with drop-off times staggered to keep traffic moving and dozens of staff members greeting and guiding kids to the doors.

The dozens of buses that serve the school were scheduled after, with the numbers of students arriving on them noticeably lower than usual, with some even containing just one or two students.

Students began practicing social distancing before even entering the building for their first day of in-person classes at Miller-Driscoll on Sept. 8, 2020, in Wilton, Conn.

“We’re excited,” said parent Caroline Gulati, who dropped off her twin second graders Aurora and Winnie, 6.

“I think it’ll be better than we think,” she said, expressing a hope apparent among many of the staff and families on site.

“We’re happy that they’re in-person,” said parent Robert Gibbons, “and I hope that they keep the virus under control and they can stay for the year.”

Superintendent of School Kevin Smith directs two students into school for their first day of in-person class at Miller-Driscoll on Sept. 8, 2020, in Wilton, Conn.

Kindergarten teacher Neela Srihari points out some things outside the school to her new students on their first day of in-person classes at Miller-Driscoll on Sept. 8, 2020, in Wilton, Conn.

Only two students were on this bus at Miller-Driscoll, but the Board of Education has discouraged too many students from riding at this point to augment social distancing. Sept. 8, 2020, in Wilton, Conn.

Kim Hastings, reading interventionists, helps guide the students entering Miller-Driscoll on properly sanitizing their hands before the first day of in-person classes on Sept. 8, 2020, in Wilton, Conn.

Principal Kathryn Coon walks with two students toward their first day of class on Tuesday morning at Miller-Driscoll on Sept. 8, 2020, in Wilton, Conn.