Students Celebrate During Back-To-School Event At West Side

West Side Middle School, which saw his student population more than double from 250 students last year to 520 this fall, held a back to school celebration Friday.

A disc jockey played music, The Department of Public Works brought in heavy equipment, the Groton City Police Department had an officer visit let the students sit inside a cruiser, and the Groton City Fire department gave staff members rides up in the ladder truck while students watched.

Disc Jockey James O’Grady said he was pleased to see so many kids dancing outside.

“There’s a lot of good energy,” he said.

West Side saw a spike in population because Groton closed Fitch Middle School last spring and consolidated from three middle schools to two.

Siyra Cook, 13, said she likes seeing new faces. “I like the new kids,” she said.

Groton City Mayor Marian Gabraith, who attended Friday’s event, said the city wants students to know the community supports them.

“It’s a good way for the kids to get to know each other,” she said. “Some of the kids haven’t been to this school before, so it’s a nice ice-breaker. We want them to know the city is behind them.”