After what was supposed to be just two weeks off turned into a year and half of virtual or hybrid learning, some students are returning to the building for the first time since March 12, 2020 -- and Kennedy welcomes nine new staff as well.

Bjorn Enquist (art), Alison Cremins (English), Nick Drabick (band), Aaron Heron (history), Stephanie Bosworth (history), Meghan Rodriguez (special education), Matthew Wiener (English), Tashida Jacobs (guidance), and Jennifer Way (behavioral therapist) are welcomed to Kennedy as new staff members while former history teacher and department chair Karlyn Fitzpatrick has been promoted to vice principal, replacing retiree Ms. Glass.

“I love Kennedy,” said Fitzpatrick. “I’m meeting so many more kids than I ever had...the majority are so excited to be back.”

Fitzpatrick, who had been teaching history for 10 years after receiving her bachelor’s degree in history from Emmanuel College; master’s degree in secondary education at University of Bridgeport; and her administrator certificate at Sacred Heart University, is glad to have everyone in-person.

“It’s nice to see you guys, interact with you guys,” said Fitzpatrick. “Every day I see more and more kids back in the dress code, less and less issues.”

Returning to school has been an adjustment for everyone -- teachers and students alike, whether they are new to the building or just returning -- but Kennedy’s strong sense of community makes the transition more manageable.

“(The) support from colleagues and administration...everyone has been so welcoming," said Cremins, who makes her return to Kennedy after almost 10 years.

Cremins did her student teaching at Kennedy in 2001 and worked as an English teacher in the building until 2013. She then went on to work at Wallace Middle School for six years, and West Side Middle School for one.

"It's been an excellent experience to be back; I am just so appreciative (and) impressed with students," said Cremins.

The diverse student body is just one of many attributes attracting new teachers such as Bosworth to Kennedy.

"I really wanted to work with a diverse group of students with differing talents and interests, (and) I definitely see myself here," said Bosworth.

Prior to working as a history teacher, Bosworth did a lot of long-term subbing while pursuing her master's in regular education at Sacred Heart University, as well as a lot of commuting as she has worked in Norwalk, Westport and Fairfield.

"I love it here, the camaraderie between teachers and students," said Bosworth. "This is the environment I wanted to work in."

Bosworth is looking forward to becoming a more well-rounded educator and getting to know students, although putting faces to a name is a bit more of a challenge now with masks, which Wiener can attest to, also.

"The biggest challenge is learning names," said Wiener, who's starting at Kennedy after having taught at Enlightenment School for 11 years.

While masks remain a common challenge, the new block schedule that is being implemented hasn't been much of an issue for new staff so far.

Cremins had experience with double Reading and Language Arts periods in her time at Wallace and West Side; Bosworth had experience with block scheduling at Norwalk High School; and Enquist and Jacobs said they like the block schedule as well.

Jacobs--who actually started at Kennedy midyear during the pandemic--did note that the new block scheduling allowed for "more time to get in classes (and) more opportunities to get things done," she said.

"(At Enlightenment), we have had block schedules for three to four years now," said Wiener.

What has been an adjustment for him has been class sizes: going from a total student body of about 100 students at Enlightenment to classes totaling 140 students every day.

"(But) I just love the students," said Wiener. "I'm having so much fun...enjoying the personalities."

Wiener originally wanted to teach elementary, but favored interaction with his students and getting to teach more challenging material.

"I love talking to my students about books we're reading, about (the) contents," said Wiener. "I like being able to dive deeper and hear different interpretations."

In addition to teaching English, Wiener also coaches the girls' tennis team. Speaking of athletics, new staff member and first-year teacher Heron has history as a college athlete.

Where he used to live in Montana "was cold, a lot smaller than this, and less diverse," said Heron.

Rodriguez finds herself here for similar reasons.

"I really wanted to work in an urban setting, so that's why I chose Kennedy," said Rodriquez.

University of Connecticut graduate, ex-firefighter, and current behavioral therapist Way finds herself at Kennedy because of her two freshmen students.

"I work for the ABA (applied behavioral analysis) program, which is all the autistic children in Waterbury," said Way.

Applied behavorial analysis is an "evidence-based approach for autism treatment" according to constellationhs.com, the official site of a lead healthcare organization in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, and Pennsylvania.

Way is assigned to her two students specifically, had worked with them in middle school, and will continue to throughout their high school careers.

"My goal has always been to work with children with special needs...working with them, seeing how their point of view may differ from ours (in a positive light) brings a smile to my face," said Way.

She notes how accepting the Kennedy community has been, students and staff alike, and looks forward to becoming more familiar with staff, becoming more familiar with the building, and helping her students become more comfortable and independent.

"I want them to have a great four years...everyone (her students' peers and teachers) has been amazing," said Way.

The first month back after a year and a half of some form of virtual learning has had its fair share of highlights and challenges, but it's only the beginning of what staff members and students alike are hoping to be a great year.

"It may not be every thing, it may not be every event," said Fitzpatrick, "but (being back) allows the students to at least have a high school experience."

WAITING, AND WAITING FOR THE BUS Senior Alexandra Ruales is seen here at Kennedy's afternoon bus stop illustrating how some students have been waiting for rides home due to a bus driver shortage, Thursday, Sept. 30, 2021. Connecticut as a whole and Waterbury in particular are experiencing issues with a shortage of bus drivers due to vaccine mandates. This has impacted bus routes both to and from school; in some cases students have reported waiting one hour and a half to two hours for their bus.
Photo illustration by Alyssa Bisram/News Editor