The start of a new school year is always filled with excitement, anticipation, and a touch of nerves. At the Bright Beginnings Center, the preschool for the Hopedale Public Schools, families were given the perfect opportunity to ease into the transition with a warm and welcoming community event: Popsicles with the Principal.

Held on the school’s playground, this back-to-school gathering invited preschoolers and their families to meet Principal Kristen Poisson and get acquainted with School Facility Dog Sunny. Designed to be informal and family-friendly, the event provided a relaxed setting where parents, caregivers, and children could connect with one another while enjoying popsicles under the late-summer sun.

Principal Poisson shared that the goal of the event was to build a bridge between home and school, setting a positive tone for the year ahead. “Starting preschool is such a big step for children and their families,” she said. “We want our youngest learners to feel comfortable and confident as they walk through our doors. Popsicles with the Principal gives everyone a chance to meet me, meet Sunny, and meet each other before the first day.”

Children were especially excited to spend time with Sunny, the school’s beloved facility dog, who has become a calming and cheerful presence throughout the building. Sunny greeted students with tail wags and snuggles, helping ease any first-day jitters before they even began. For many children, their first “official” school memory now includes a popsicle in one hand and Sunny’s paw or nose nudging the other.

The playground setting also allowed children to explore a space they will soon call their own. Families could watch their children climb, slide, and laugh with new classmates, while parents and guardians had the chance to meet one another. Conversations among families often included shared hopes for the school year, introductions of siblings, and plenty of smiles.

For BBC staff, the event highlighted the importance of community partnership. Preschool is not just a place where children learn academic and social skills—it is often a family’s first experience with the Hopedale Public Schools. As classroom teacher Lizzie Reardon said at the event, "By creating opportunities for personal connections early, we can strengthen our relationships with families. We love seeing our new and returning families come together."

The popsicles themselves provided a lighthearted touch, bringing joy and simplicity to the day. As Principal Poisson noted, “Sometimes the best way to welcome families is through something small and fun—like sharing a popsicle together. It’s a way to remind our students that school is a place where they will be cared for, supported, and celebrated.”

As the event came to a close, families left with sticky fingers, happy smiles, and a stronger sense of belonging. The excitement of a new year at Bright Beginnings Center was already buzzing, with children talking about their new friends, parents feeling reassured about their choice of school, and Sunny contentedly resting after a busy evening of tail wags.

The Popsicles with the Principal tradition, now in its fifth year, has quickly become a hallmark of the Bright Beginnings Center experience—one that embodies the school’s commitment to fostering connection, joy, and confidence in every young learner.