Among the back-to-school excitement Wednesday morning was the unveiling of a new Trojan Horse at Simsbury High School.
SHS Art teacher Dave Holzman was the creative mastermind behind the Trojan Horse, which welcomed students as they returned entered the school. Over the summer, Simsbury Arts Academy students painted the horse.
Holzman said the trojan horse idea came out of a request from Principal Neal Sullivan for a mural and sculpture installation for the first floor hallway alcove. He chose a mural of the Pinchot Sycamore with the Trojan theme.
"I wanted to do something that related a community image to SHS traditions," he said.
School officials said the horse is a physical mascot but will not replace the logo which is still the Trojan helmet.
Over at Central School, students continued the tradition of waving goodbye and stating in unison, “Have a great day, parents!”
According to Principal Edie Balkun, the action helps with the transition to school and separation from parents.
Superintendent of Schools Matthew T. Curtis said similar activities take place at other schools as well.
"It helps kids get used to the routine and comfortable with everything," Curtis said.
At Tootin' Hills, Kevin Cazzetta greeted Simsbury students once again. He may have only recently replaced the retired Ron Perrault but before serving five years as Assistant Principal for Green’s Farms Elementary School in Westport, he spent some 13 years in town as an Elementary Resource Specialist and an elementary classroom teacher.
"It's great to have him back," Curtis said.
Curtis said he was able to get to all seven schools Wednesday and was pleased with how smoothly things ran.
"It's nice to see all that positive energy on the first day," he said.
In all approximately 4,400 students are enrolled in Simsbury schools.
Have a first day photo to share? Send it to john.fitts@patch.com. Please include names and that it is from Simsbury.
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