08/30/2026
The Night Before the First Day of School
A Dresden Elementary School Poem
’Twas the night before school, and throughout DES,
The classrooms were ready—each one looked its best.
The pencils were sharpened, the name tags displayed,
And welcoming spaces had carefully been made.
Maroon, gray, and black filled each hallway with pride,
While pictures of Dash welcomed Dragons inside.
The hallways were polished, the floors sparkling bright,
For Mr. Moe and Miss Danielle had worked day and night.
Miss Janelle checked lists at the office with care,
Making certain that everything needed was there.
Nurse Amanda checked Band-Aids and ice packs once more,
Prepared to help Dragons who walked through her door.
Miss Amie was ready with breakfast and lunch,
Planning good food for each hungry bunch.
Dash’s Dragon Café was all shiny and neat,
Ready for laughter—and plenty to eat!
Ms. Pinkham prepared for her Kindergarten crew,
With stories, bright crayons, and friendships brand-new.
She knew her young Dragons might feel nervous that day,
So she filled up her classroom with learning and play.
Miss Swindler prepared for her first- and second-grade crew,
With books, special projects, and pencils brand-new.
Ms. Duchesne made Grade Three welcoming and bright,
With everything carefully placed just right.
Mrs. Orth had prepared for her fourth- and fifth-grade team,
Ready to help every student discover and dream.
Mrs. A planned math lessons with challenges galore,
Where Dragons would think, solve, question, and explore.
Mrs. Culbertson checked every shelf, book, and nook,
Knowing adventures begin with a book.
Mrs. McCann had melodies ready to sing,
And music to make the whole schoolhouse ring.
Miss Letendre had paintbrushes, paper, and glue,
For the wonderful artwork our Dragons would do.
Mrs. Desrosiers prepared games with excitement and cheer,
Ready to get every Dragon moving this year.
Mrs. CY planned support to help learning take flight,
Finding the tools to make challenges feel right.
Mrs. Pooler was ready to listen and care,
Reminding each Dragon that help would be there.
Mrs. Freeman and Mrs. Morin prepared the Learning Lab, too,
With welcoming spaces and important work to do.
Mr. Karter and Mr. Dan were both ready to say,
“We’re here to support you each step of the way!”
The teachers went home with excitement and cheer,
Dreaming of students they’d soon welcome here.
Mrs. St. Peter walked down every hall,
Checking the classrooms, the gym, and each wall.
She smiled as she whispered, “We’re ready to start.
Tomorrow our Dragons will fill every heart.”
Outside by the flagpole, the flag waited too,
To rise in the morning beneath skies of blue.
A ribbon was stretched for the opening day—
One cheerful snip would start the year right away!
The fifth graders dreamed of the leaders they’d be,
Helping younger Dragons throughout DES.
Our youngest new learners, both eager and small,
Wondered what adventures awaited them all.
Backpacks sat waiting by each student’s door,
Filled with supplies—and excitement galore.
Some children felt nervous, while others felt bold,
Each ready for stories not yet to be told.
Then Dash spread his wings in the soft evening light
And flew over Dresden to check things that night.
He peeked through each window and smiled at the sight:
“Everything’s ready. Tomorrow feels bright!”
“There’ll be friendships and laughter and so much to learn,
With chances to wonder at every new turn.”
“There’ll be mistakes, but that’s how Dragons grow—
We try, learn, and practice until we all know.
At DES, every Dragon is valued and known.
No student will ever be learning alone.”
“We’ll listen, encourage, include, and invest,
Helping each Dragon discover their best.”
Then Dash gave a wave as he flew out of sight:
“Kids First, Relationships Matter—sleep tight!
Tomorrow we’ll gather, stand proud, and confess:
We’re ready to learn, grow, and shine at DES!”
So rest well, dear Dragons, and dream through the night.
A brand-new adventure begins with daylight.
The doors will swing open, and proudly we’ll say:
“Welcome back, Dragons—tomorrow’s the day!”
