Back to School in Port Washington

Never mind the rain. Students and staff alike at didn't let a little drizzle dampen their spirit.

Staff members delivered sunny welcome-back greetings to children disembarking from school buses. Kindergartners were directed to the cafeteria, while older children headed directly to their classrooms.

Principal Barbara Giebel communicated with her staff by walkie-talkie, helping to ensure a smooth first day.

"Good morning," she said to one student climbing off the bus.

"I love your raincoat," she said to another.

"It's always exciting to start the new year," Giebel noted, once the children were safely inside the building. "That's why I always say 'Happy new year' on the first day.

Students seemed to appreciate the greeting, giggling because New Years Day is months away.

Despite the damp weahter, and the new 8:20 a.m. school-start time introduced this year to help the district save on transportation costs, Giebel gave the first day high marks.

"All in all, it went well," she said.

That sentiment seemed to play out around town.

"Great opening. I am very pleased," said Dr. Geoffrey Gordon, superintendent of Port Washington Public Schools. "We did a great deal of preparation and thankfully everything worked out as planned."

He added, "5,200 kids back and we hit the ground running."