Pool now, school later (well, sooner)

NORTH CANAAN — It was a cruel thing to do: remind youngsters that summer vacation is over in just a few weeks.

The initial reaction in every case was shocked silence, like the thought had not occurred to them until just then.

But, as it turned out, the approach of the first day of school, on Aug. 31 for Region One students, is hardly dreaded. There is school shopping to temper the transition for some. And while lazy summer days are nice, getting back into a schedule is a good thing.

Despite a string of days with perfect swimming weather, the pool was notably undercrowded and there weren’t a lot of children to annoy (er, that is, interview). Perhaps families are getting away for vacation while the sun is shining.

North Canaan Elementary School Principal Rosemary Keilty (yes, kids, she works during the summer) helped formulate a short list of questions.

“We always want to know if they read and exercised during vacation, and what their goals are when they come back to school,� she said, adding that goals could be anything from better math grades to making a sports team.

Keilty would be happy to hear from Rebecca Green. Rebecca is going into fourth grade at North Canaan Elementary this year. She said she is happy she will be in Mrs. Whalen’s class —and Mrs. Whalen will no doubt be happy to learn Rebecca read 15 or 16 books over the summer — despite her family spending the first month traveling to see relatives in places where it did not rain a single day.

“I rode my bike a lot, and I want to work on being a better soccer player this year,� she said.

Jayden Walkinshaw is living here temporarily. He may not be a typical local boy, but his story is too amazing not to tell. His family is from Seattle and is spending a year seeing the east coast, his father, Ross, explained. The family is renting a home here for four months (after staying four months on Cape Cod).

“I’m going into third grade,� Jayden said, pointing to his dad when asked who his teacher would be. He and his sister are home-schooled, and have enjoyed a summer vacation peppered with educational stops in places such as New York City, Boston and Plymouth Plantation.

For those who think only elementary school students give any thought at all to going back to school, there are Rachael and Rebekah Purdy, who will enter 12th and 10th grade, respectively, at Housatonic Valley Regional High School.  

Both expressed mixed emotions.

“Summer seems like it’s just starting,� Rachael said, referring to the rainy weather. Her sister couldn’t agree more. Definitely a “bummer� they said.

“In one way, I don’t want to get back to school because it will be my last at Housy, and I’m really going to miss the carefreeness of being in high school.� Rachael said.

She is looking at colleges where she plans to study marine biology.

“I’m half and half about going back,� Rebekah said. “I’ll get to hang out with my friends again on a daily basis, and I like reading and doing school projects. But at the same time, I’m dreading a load of schoolwork.�

Both are avid readers, and are trying to make some money in this economy by babysitting and gardening.

Their school goals: Rebekah wants to keep up her As and Bs, Rachael wants to help keep her school landscape design team’s top ranking in the state and to do well in national competition.

They offered some advice, especially to incoming freshmen.

“Don’t goof off. Everyone says colleges don’t look at your grades until your third year. It’s not true,� Rachael said. “Fill up your course schedule so you can try as many things as possible, but always make sure you have a study hall, because you’re going to need it.�