It was a busy back-to-school morning on Wednesday as educators and students returned to class after an 11-day strike.
Fifth-grader Brian Ceplikas was glad to be back at the Village School. “I’m just happy being here,” he said.
Fourth-grader Penelope Borthwick said waking up early was a bit of a challenge after such a long break from school.
“It’s a big change,” she said. “I did not want to get up this morning.”
Still, Borthwick was looking forward to seeing her teacher, Miss Welsh. “I love her,” she said.
Not everyone was happy to be up and at ’em right before a long holiday weekend.
“I’m not ready,” said a sleepy Ela Samant, who spent the strike at the North Shore Children’s Theater camp.
Jaelyn Wilcock wished she could have slept in again. Asked if she was excited to be back, she answered, “Not so much.”
Interim Superintendent John Robidoux, speaking at a School Committee press conference Tuesday night, said, “All the administrators have worked together to make sure they welcome the students back, that there’s a positive, safe environment, a soft start … especially for our most vulnerable students.”
Crossing guard Tom Adams greeted students on Village School with a big smile.
“It’s good to be back at work, trying to get back to normal. I love welcoming back the kids,” he said.
Educator and parent Angela Graziano, who has a student at Marblehead High School, was excited to be back at work.
“It’s great. We’re so glad. We worked so hard for our schools,” Graziano said.
To learn more about the strike and the teachers’ new contract, click HERE.
