Graham School opens for in-person instruction after renovations

Students and their families filed into the schoolyard on Monday, September 16, 2024, for the first day of in-person learning for the 2024-2025 school year at Graham School. Students were learning remotely for the first two weeks of school, as the school was undergoing renovations. 

Parents were excited to send their children off for their first day back in the building. 

“I don’t mind waiting for things like renovations and safety preparations,” said Christopher Mack, the father of two fourth-grade students and one second-grade student at Graham School. “I actually appreciate things like that very much, so I don’t mind waiting. They’re glad to be back; they want to be in-person.”

Students met with their friends in the yard before lining up with their classmates and teachers. They also began meeting new friends to start the school year.

“I just started at this new school, so I’m feeling kind of nervous, but it will all work out once I get some friends,” said Jaythen Almanzar, a sixth-grade student at Graham. “It feels good that I can meet some new people. I think this new school for me is going to go great.”

During the first two weeks of school, students started their classes remotely via Zoom and met with their new teachers. They began building relationships with those teachers, and getting started on their lessons despite the delay in in-person learning. 

“The relationship building was key, and we cannot stress that enough,” said Graham School Principal Dr. Natasha Hunter-McGregor. “Our teachers and teaching assistants reached out to our scholars to build those relationships to encourage student engagement and to let them know that we would be coming back in-person. So, we also had to build up that hope for them that we would come together and see each other again. And here we are on opening day, and it was a fantastic opening.”

Students were also more comfortable in their classes than on a typical first day because of that relationship building during the two weeks of remote learning.

“I feel nice because I remember everything from my other years here, and I enjoyed it, so I’m excited to see how fun it will be to learn new things and do more fun activities,” said Naima Ivey, a sixth-grade student at Graham School. “I met my teacher, and it felt really nice because I was more familiar, and I already knew her.”

The Mount Vernon City School District provided support to school staff on the opening day in terms of technology and parent liaisons, who were at the school to help parents and students get settled for their first day. Dr. Jamal Doggett, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction and Administration was also at the school at the start of the day to support staff. 

“As a school board trustee, it was great to come this morning on their first day of school, and to see that the school was definitely ready and open for students, staff, parents, and everyone to come back,” said Board of Education Trustee Dr. Lynne Middleton. “It was great to meet the parents outside and the young people lining up. It was just great to wish the parents and the students a great, wonderful and successful school year and that every voice matters. We look forward to a wonderful 2024-2025 school year. Many blessings to a great, successful year.”

During the remote start to the school year, parents received communications through the Schoology learning platform (grades three through eight) and the Seesaw learning platform (grades pre-K through two). There were also communications with families through social media and robocalls. Graham School faculty and administration supported families by sending emails and speaking with families on the phone to walk them through the process of remote learning. 

“When we first heard that Graham School would not be opening in person, we immediately – in terms of my administrative team – came together to set a plan that would support scholars, staff and families,” said Dr. Hunter-McGregor. “That was most important to us. We looked at our strengths to see how we could set this plan in a timely manner.”

Students began their in-person classes with an understanding of what their classes would be due to their participation in remote classes. They already set their foundations for the year and were able to come into school well-prepared. Now, they also have renovated classrooms to learn in.

“This entire opening was a credit to the District, especially the Building and Grounds Department, and the Graham School community as a whole,” said Acting Superintendent Dr. K. Veronica Smith. “Everyone came together to ensure that there was no learning loss due to the remote opening, and students started the year as soon as possible with a safe and renovated building to begin a successful and enriching school year. Thank you to the Graham families for your patience as we worked to ensure your children have a safe place to learn.”

To make the day even more special, the organization Groove Phi Groove – which consists of Graham alumni – donated backpacks to every grade two student at the end of the day. Groove Phi Groove donates backpacks to second grade-students at Graham every year, and the bags are filled with everything they need from their school supply lists.