Youngsters ready for school in Medfield

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By Daniel Curtin
Hometown Weekly Reporter

Last Thursday morning, young kids were running around at the Memorial School playground enjoying popsicles as they prepared for the start of kindergarten.

Medfield held its annual bus orientation for children about to enter kindergarten, during which the young students took a trip on the bus to ease any first-day jitters and learn bus safety. The orientation was followed by a popsicle party at the playground, sponsored by New ‘N Towne.

New ‘N Towne is a club for people who have recently moved to Medfield in the last few years, and offers a chance for neighbors to connect. President Mara Ziegler of New ‘N Towne was at the event as kids were meeting their classmates and enjoying a cold treat on the sunny summer morning.

“I think it is a big transition for a lot of kids that don’t know the other kids, and [some] kids that are not used to being away from their parents for too long. It’s a nice chance for them to all get together and for the parents to get together,” Ziegler said.

Kids were hanging from the jungle gym, taking turns on the swings, and zooming down the slides. James Sullivan, whose daughter is getting ready to enter kindergarten, was one of the parents at the popsicle party.

“I think it says a lot about the school system,” Sullivan said. “It’s a really great opportunity - a great thing that the school puts on - and the principal here has been amazing. I’m really impressed so far.”

Superintendent of Medfield Public Schools Dr. Jeffrey Marsden was at the event and knows that teachers are looking forward for the start of the school year.

“It takes the mystery away from that first day of school for some kids; we do that to make it better for the kids on the first day,” Dr. Marsden said of the bus orientation and popsicle party.

“I think it is a big help just to get the ball rolling again, [and to] get back to seeing friends,” said Carolyn Brady, whose son is preparing to enter kindergarten. “I think it is helpful for parents too to socialize and see people we haven’t seen all summer.”