Yesterday, the Oneonta City School District marked the start of the 2024-2025 school year with a memorable opening day filled with tradition, celebration, and heartfelt moments. Faculty and staff gathered for a continental breakfast and "Meet & Greet" in the OHS cafeteria before making their way to the high school auditorium, where the day’s main events were held.
The day began with an enthusiastic welcome led by the OHS Link Crew, a group of exceptional students guided by Mrs. Nicole Hecox and Ms. Elizabeth Knudson. Originally created to help freshmen transition smoothly from middle to high school, the Link Crew has expanded its mission to provide support throughout the district, from assisting at elementary school events to hosting homework help sessions at the high school. The Link Crew lined the aisles of the auditorium, cheering staff members as they entered. Each student took the opportunity to shout out a teacher who had positively impacted their life, demonstrating the deep bonds between teachers and students.
Superintendent Thomas F. Brindley then took to the podium, delivering an inspiring presentation titled "Making a Difference Every Day." While covering important topics like school safety and updates for the year, Mr. Brindley shared a deeply personal message, reflecting on the school professionals who had "changed his life forever." He emphasized the critical role that all staff members play in their students' lives, saying, "students won't care about what you have to teach them until they know you care about them." His heartfelt words set a powerful tone for the year, reminding everyone of the importance of building positive relationships with their students.
Next, Assistant Superintendent Coleen Moore took the podium for the "Yellowjacket Celebrations," where she highlighted the hard work, professional development, and careful planning that took place over the summer. Mrs. Moore provided updates on the new systems and improvements that have been put in place to better serve students, families, and the community in the 2024-2025 school year.
One of the most exciting moments of the day came just before lunch, when the district honored its tradition of the "Yellowjacket Starting Lineup," where we proudly welcomed over 50 new team members. This included our new transportation staff, as the Oneonta City School District has transitioned to running its own transportation system. Each new staff member was celebrated and welcomed into the Yellowjacket family, showcasing the district's commitment to growth and excellence with this talented group of individuals.
The afternoon session featured a special presentation by Mr. John Perricone, a returning friend of the Yellowjacket community. His talk, titled "Know Thyself -- Know Thy Students," reinforced the day’s theme about the importance of fostering strong, positive relationships between staff members and students. Mr. Perricone emphasized that working in education is more than delivering academic content; it’s about empathy, understanding, and modeling strong character. By knowing themselves, staff members can better connect with and guide their students. His powerful message left the audience inspired, aligning perfectly with Mr. Brindley’s earlier sentiments about how life-changing a staff member’s influence can be when they build meaningful, authentic relationships with their students.
As the day came to an end, faculty and staff left feeling motivated and ready to start the new school year. With new systems in place, a strong team, and a renewed focus on student relationships, the 2024-2025 school year promises to be one of growth, connection, and success. The district eagerly anticipates welcoming all Yellowjackets back to the nest tomorrow!
GO 'JACKETS!
