Looking Back on the First Week of School

Upper West Side kids on the start of the new year

By Adam Janos

Labor Day has come and gone, which means school is back in session. The Westsider visited P.S. 199 on West 70th Street to ask kids about coming back to school. We caught up with fourth graders Alina and Ali, as well as siblings Cooper and Devin to talk about their return for another year of lessons.

Ali, 4th Grade

Ali: I'm in Ms. Sherman's class.

WSS: How long have you been going to this school?

Ali: Since the 1st grade.

WSS: Do you like it? Are you happy to be back?

Ali: Yes? it was a good summer, but it was also a long summer.

WSS: You got bored?

Ali: No, I didn't get bored, but? it's just good to be back. I have a lot of friends here.

WSS: What's your favorite subject in school?

Ali: Reading. I like fiction, especially fantasy. My favorite fantasy book is Harry Potter.

Alina, 4th Grade

WSS: Are you happy to be back in school?

Alina: Definitely!

WSS: What's your favorite subject?

Alina: My favorite subject would have to be writing. I love making up stories, all the different kinds of genres are fun. With fiction, you can write about anything. You can write about people. You can learn words you didn't even know. It's so cool!

WSS: How long have you been coming to P.S. 199?

Alina: I've been here five years.

WSS: What are you most excited about, coming up this year?

Alina: I'm excited to start the National Dance Institute. We get to dance in front of the whole school!

WSS: What'd you do this summer?

Alina: We went to South Carolina with our friends, to Myrtle Beach for ten days. That was fun, but it's great to be back.

Cooper (4th grade) and sister Devin (1st grade)

WSS: What do you like about school?

Cooper: Gym and writing.

Devin: I like gym.

WSS: Cooper, what do you like about writing?

Cooper: Making up stories.

WSS: And why do you like gym, Devin?

Devin: Mr. Reagan always does fun stuff with us.

WSS: Cooper, do you take care of your little sister in school?

Cooper: Sometimes.

Devin: He kind of does. Like, sometimes when I ask him to walk me [down the hall] he walks me.