In North Merrick, students meet and greet their teachers, and get a treat too

Ahead of the launch of the school year in North Merrick, the school district began  with its annual Meet, Greet and a Treat event at the Harold D. Fayette on Aug 29, bringing together students, parents, and teachers to relieve start-of-school worries before classes begin.

“The relationships between the school, parents and students are so important, so this event kicks off the school year by showing our community how important they are to us,” Superintendent of Schools Cynthia Seniuk said.

Meet, Greet and a Treat was introduced when schools returned to in-person classes after coronavirus lockdowns were lifted to make the transition more comfortable for parents, students, and teachers. Since its founding, it has become a mainstay of the back-to-school season.

“There’s a lot of positive things that have come out of it, and it is one of our most attended events, and we get such positive feedback,” Seniuk said. “Initially, we didn’t know that we would continue to do it every year, but all those tears that we would normally get on the first day of school have definitely decreased.”

“Since we started the Meet and Greet and a Treat, this event has grown tremendously,” Interim Principal Christine Talbot said. “It’s widely anticipated by our students and their families. We have a huge turnout of families that come and meet their teachers, and it’s a great way to socialize and mingle and get ready for the start of a great school year.”

In addition to meeting their teachers and classmates, students received clear instruction on where they will need to go throughout the year.

“Students can see where the entrance is, and their classrooms, to alleviate the first day jitters, so on the first day of school, they don’t have to worry about where they’re going and who they’re going to see,” Talbot said. “They know exactly where they need to begin.

“Our teachers are really excited about this event as well,” Talbot added. “For the first day they get to know they get to meet their students. They get to just have a little interaction with them, so this way the students can feel a little bit more of a sense of belonging.”

Sixth grade teacher Lisa Drewes worked in the district for 19 years, and believes the event makes the first day of school easier for everyone.. 

“All of our teachers are outside at a table with a little treat for each student,” Drewes said. “We’ve given out water bottles and pencil cases this year, and they go home with a little less anxiety.”

Drewes and other educators work to make the school a welcoming place for students by adding new routines to their schedules.

The routines — morning meetings and closing circles — give students opportunities to express themselves in an open forum, in addition to showing gratitude to one another, shout-outs for good behavior and reading compliment cards.

“Everybody knows that, coming to school on a Monday morning, a compliment is going to be read in their name,” Drewes said. “It’s a really nice way to start the school week. It’s something that we will look forward to, and it’s a nice way to start the day.”

These social tools make time to talk and connect with one another and create opportunities for teachers to notice if a student is upset so it can be addressed by parents and faculty. These tools are designed to create an environment where children grow up excited to communicate with and understand each other, Drewes said.

“It really keeps those lines of communication between the teacher and the parent open, and we work as partners to address anything with the student in the social and emotional capacity,” Drewes said. “Every year, we always work collaboratively to ask what we can improve upon. We don’t ever want to be stagnant.”

The Harold D. Fayette Parent Teacher Association was present at the event, inviting community members to attend upcoming events.

“We’re ready for a great year,” Co-President Crystal Chiari said. “This is a great opportunity to get the PTA out there and show how we’re involved with the community, and that we love our staff, teachers and students.”

“You’re always nervous to send your kids off for the first day of school,” Co-Vice President of Cultural Arts Jaclyn Armao said. “This is such a great opportunity to kind of get a face with the name of your teacher and get to know them a little better.”

Co-Vice President of Fundraising Jean-Marie Buonomo has children who attend schools in the district. These programs make way for a bright future, she said.

“As a mom with an incoming kindergartner, this is such a nice way to get him acclimated with the school,” Buonomo said. “From the PTA standpoint, it’s a chance for us to welcome all the incoming kindergarten parents and invite them to be a part of us.”