Starting off with a smile: New school year begins as students, teachers head to class- Detroit Catholic

Parents, students and teachers alike glad to ‘get back in the routine,’ as school year starts around Archdiocese of Detroit

SOUTHGATE — Kids posing for pictures, classmates greeting one another after the summer break, and even a few tearful goodbyes as preschoolers took their first steps into a new school — a new academic year has begun.

It was a typical back-to-school scene Aug. 20 at St. Pius X School in Southgate.

St. Pius X was one of the first schools in the Archdiocese of Detroit to open the school year. It began with students congregating before their teachers, who held up signs with teachers' names and grade levels, welcoming students back to the classroom.

There were new names, new grades, new seating assignments, and a new year for the 285-student school and its principal, Sara Furtah, who is beginning her first year as principal at St. Pius X.

“I’m used to being in the classroom, so it’s a whole new role for me,” Furtah told Detroit Catholic. “It’s weird not setting up a classroom myself, but I’m here to support the teachers. We are all very excited, and just like the kids, we want everything ready to be set up and be beautiful. We have fun activities planned for them so they enjoy themselves and learn and get back into the routine.”

Furtah and St. Pius X's teachers gathered with Fr. Don LaCuesta in the hallways of the school before heading out to greet students in the parking lot.

St. Pius X fifth-grade teacher Megan Pizzo greets her new class in the parking lot of the school to begin the new academic year.

The first day of school is a chance to set the tone for the year, to get back into routine and get the kids excited about learning again, Furtah said.

“First, you want to make your classroom into a family, into a home,” Furtah said. “You want them to feel they have their own space. You want them to know what the expectations are in that room. And then you want to slowly work on re-engaging prior knowledge and getting the kids used to one another again, making sure they know what to expect and you know what to expect so everyone has a great year.”

Members of the St. Pius X Parent-Teacher Organization brought an added sweetener to the student drop-off, setting up a coffee and doughnut table for parents to grab a treat as they dropped their youngsters off for the first time.

Gina Miller, co-chair of the PTO, said it's a chance to reach out to new and returning parents to encourage them to get involved.

“We have one of the best staffs in the Downriver area, so every year we do different luncheons and things to show them appreciation because the teachers are definitely the heroes of the school,” Miller said.

Throughout the year, the PTO organizes a Trunk-or-Treat in the parking lot before Halloween, a Thanksgiving dinner in the school cafeteria, a daddy-daughter dance, a mother-son event and other activities and programs to build a sense of community around the school, Miller said.

Third-grade teacher Elizabeth Byrd leads her class into the school building, with classroom supplies in tow.

“The community atmosphere is one of the reasons why we picked St. Pius, and we continue to pick St. Pius,” Miller said. “You’ll have events where it becomes an extended family, and that’s where community building starts. Everyone is getting together, and you get to know each other’s kids. It becomes social not only for the kids, but also for the parents and families, and it just fosters that when we come together.”

That community atmosphere was on display during student drop-off, with parents conversing with one another in the parking lot as the students made their way into the school.

“I enjoy seeing my friends, other parents, and all the kids. They are so excited to see each other when they come,” said Elizabeth Simon, co-chair of the St. Pius PTO. “Especially with this little event this morning, the teachers coming out to greet the students, it’s fun and exciting to see everyone smiling and getting ready to go back to school.”

As another year of Christ-centered education in Southgate and throughout the Archdiocese of Detroit, educators and students are ready to get back to learning, Furtah said.

“I’m just a huge supporter of Catholic schools, and I want to see this Catholic school and all Catholic schools in our area continue to grow and thrive,” Furtah said. “As an administrator, I want to support my teachers and make sure they have all they need for the betterment of St. Pius, so they grow in their faith and their academics and social ability so they can become the best people they can become.”