Students waiting for the bus on Mohawk Road were all smiles on Thursday, Sept. 1, the first day of school in Plainville. Soon, the youngsters would be en route to Wheeler Elementary School.

Like many parents, Michelle Chaput had mixed emotions about waving goodbye to her kids – 5-year-old Emily and 9-year-old Cooper.

"I'm a little sad because Emily is going off to kindergarten, and she is the last one," Chaput said. "But I'm excited because they are excited to make new friends and have a great year."

With COVID-19 waning, and pandemic-related restrictions lifted, Superintendent of Schools Steven LePage has high hopes for this school year, as well.

"I am absolutely excited and energized for the opportunities we have to build back and recover to where I know Plainville Community Schools can and will be," said LePage, "but it will take a lot of hard work, commitment from students, staff, and families, and most importantly, belief that Plainville has everything we need to be the very best, model school district in Connecticut."

"This is our visionary goal," the superintendent added, "and I am committed to the steps necessary to get us there. We have the best kids, staff, and community, and the resources we need to get better and better."

This year, Plainville schools boast improved safety and security systems, and new school branding and logos.

Also, LePage said, "There will be restorations of district programs that were disrupted due to COVID restrictions, such as the elementary jazz band returning this year, with close to 50 kids typically involved and performing at a high level. They are invited to play at halftime during a Hartford Wolf Pack game and will very likely do so this year."

Student enrollment in town sits at 2,277. For those young scholars, and their teachers, LePage hopes for "an outstanding year of learning, growth, positive experiences, relationship-building, and positive memory-making."

"We are Plainville Community Schools, and I am proud to be the leader of this outstanding and improving community," the superintendent said.

nzappone@record-journal.com203-317-2212