It felt like a long time since the ceiling collapse and flooding at North Mianus School in February 2021.
That may be due to the pandemic time warp, but for staff, families and students of the school, the aftermath of the ceiling collapse and flooding at the elementary school, was a long ordeal.
First the school pivoted to remote learning.
Later, the upper grades were relocated to Parkway School.
Then, there was the move to the former Trinity Catholic School in Stamford.
Bus rides were long.
Families with children in multiple grades were divided.
“It was not a good vibe,” said one parent who was overjoyed at the reopening of NMS on Monday.
After almost a year since the flood, the entire school population marked the reunification at 12:00 noon with an outdoor celebration, complete with music that had the theme of coming home.
“I am so excited to look out and see a sea of blue and gold,” principal Schmidt said. “Be North Mianus proud today. Today we will walk through the building and see our beautiful, brand new school.”
Ms Schmidt thanked Greenwich Schools Superintendent Dr.Toni Jones and all the school’s friends at central office for expediting the return home.
She also thanked assistant principal Kathleen Smith-Ramirez, who helped oversee the satellite school in Stamford, as well as the teachers and custodians.
She also thanked the PTA who helped students get on and off buses for the daily commute to Stamford.
“Believe it or not, your teachers were here at 6:30am getting your rooms ready,” Schmidt said. “Be sure to thank them.”
From there, Ms Schmidt invited students and their teachers one grade at a time to proceed through a blue and gold archway of balloons into school.
Students, with their backpacks, face masks, mittens, hats and pom poms obliged. The results were a bit emotional.
Congratulations and welcome back!
