LONGMEADOW – At the start of the 2017–2018 school year, Wolf Swamp Road Elementary School in Longmeadow began their “Wolf Pack Gatherings” as a means to create a safe, comfortable environment for students to get together and have fun. This year, Wolf Swamp continued their new tradition by inviting all of their students to learn and come together on Sept. 13.

Wolf Swamp Principal Elizabeth Nelson introduced the Wolf Pack Gatherings to the school last year. At this year’s kickoff, Nelson reinforced that the gathering is meant to make each student feel welcome.

“Wolf Pack Gatherings foster a feeling of community, nurture positive school culture, celebrate what makes Wolf Swamp a special place and create moments of joy and happy memories,” Nelson explained. “At the gatherings, students learn to translate classroom behavior expectations into audience behaviors, practice leadership and public speaking skills, and grow a vision of themselves as contributing members of a larger community.”

The gathering began with the “Wolf Pack Cheer” which sings, “I don’t know what I’ve been told, a great school sits on Wolf Swamp Road. People there are cool and kind, best place to learn that you will find. Try new things and make mistakes, learn from them that’s what it takes. Work hard, play hard, all day long, then we get to sing this song,” followed by cheers from students and faculty alike.

After the song was complete, the student body sang ‘Happy Birthday’ to the schools July and August birthdays. Nelson welcomed students and faculty back to start off the school year on the right foot. All students were wearing hats, as the day coincided with the school–wide hat day.

Third grade “pack pals” welcomed kindergarten students who are new to Wolf Swamp at the gathering. The pack pals decorated and designed paper crowns, and at the gathering, presented each kindergartener with their crown as their formal welcome to the school.

“This gathering brings such a sense of community and unity,” Nelson said. “There is such tremendous joy that radiates through all participants.”

Each month moving forward Wolf Swamp will host a Wolf Pack Gathering. The gatherings topics vary; however each will tie in community service and spirit wear. Nelson stated that each grade level will take on the responsibility of one gathering and takes the lead on the community service projects.

On Oct. 3 it will be Pack Pals Day where students can decide what color or pattern their clothing will be. On Nov. 2, students will wear red, white and blue. At the Dec. 4 gathering, students are encouraged to show their Wolf Swamp spirit by wearing either the school colors or Wolf Swamp clothes. On Jan. 10, students will have rainbow day. Keeping in the theme of Valentine’s Day, on Feb. 6, students are encouraged to wear pink, red, white, hearts or anything with a Valentine theme. For the March 1 gathering, students are welcomed to wear pajamas for pajama day. The April 2 gathering will be host to sports day where students can wear their favorite sports team shirts. May 2 will be crazy hair day, and finally, the final gathering to be held before the last day of school in June will be an additional “show your Wolf Swamp spirit” day.