Garfield Elementary School welcomed students in kindergarten through second grade back-to-school with its annual Smart Start Week, a special back-to-school learning experience designed to ease the transition from summer to school routines while sparking excitement for the year ahead. (Submitted photo)

WELLSVILLE – Garfield Elementary School welcomed students in kindergarten through second grade back-to-school with its annual Smart Start Week, a special back-to-school learning experience designed to ease the transition from summer to school routines while sparking excitement for the year ahead.

The week-long program blended academics with engaging activities, giving students the opportunity to refresh their math, reading, phonics, social-emotional, and fine motor skills before diving into the full school schedule. Teachers worked closely with students in small groups, observing learning styles and helping them build confidence in their classroom communities.

A highlight of the week was a visit from Rachel Freed of the Wellsville Carnegie Library, who served as a guest speaker. Freed brought stories to life through a series of interactive read-alouds tailored to each grade level. Students laughed, responded, and even acted out parts of the stories, making literacy both fun and memorable.

Principal Shelbie Householder emphasized the importance of the event, noting, “Smart Start Week is about more than reviewing skills–it’s about creating a joyful and welcoming environment where students are excited to learn. The several days we have spent with our incoming kindergarteners allows the students to becoming acclimated in our environment, while allowing our teachers to get to know our new students, too. Having Rachel Freed join us added a special touch that connected our students to the power of storytelling and our local library resources.”

Parents and staff alike expressed appreciation for the balance of structure and creativity the two-week program provided. They hope the collaborative experience encouraged families to participate in activities that our community library has to offer.

With Smart Start Week setting the tone, Garfield Elementary is entering the new school year with enthusiasm, stronger connections, and a shared commitment to making learning meaningful for every child.