ATEC Soldiers welcome students back at Havre de Grace Elementary

ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. -- Soldiers from the U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command and Army Evaluation Center welcomed students of Havre de Grace Elementary School as they began their first day of the 2014-2015 school year, with a new attitude and mission.

This year, instead of coming to school full of nerves, students were smiling from ear to ear as they got off the bus to see Soldiers cheer them on as they entered the school for the first time this year.

"As children walk in for their first day of school, they are welcomed as they are cheered on by men and women, who they think of as heroes," said Ronald Wooden, principal, Havre de Grace Elementary. "As the Soldiers have a mission every day, so does the staff and students at Havre de Grace Elementary… That mission is to educate children to be able to help them grow both socially and emotionally."

This year's theme at Havre de Grace Elementary School, 'Mission Possible,' was chosen by the school's new principal, Wooden, to send the message that all things are possible when you put your mind to it. Fostering a positive learning environment, Wooden invited Soldiers to the school to cheer students on as they walked through the doors for the first time this year.

"I believe students were pleasantly surprised. We were motivated to be there, and hopefully our high fives helped pump them up," said Maj. James Birk, operations research and systems analysis, ATEC. "Being a part of this event showed that we are very much a part of the community, especially because many of our Aberdeen Proving Ground employees have children who are students attend Havre de Grace schools," Birk said.

The Havre de Grace Elementary Staff planned a day full of activities and obstacle courses for the students helping them more familiar and comfortable with their new classmates and learning environment.

"This is a great way to get across to the children that there are hopes in everything," said Jennifer Gasdia, assistant principal, Havre de Grace Elementary. "Coming to school is fun and anything is possible if you just put your mind to it," Gasdia said.

She said she wants students to have a fun-filled day and be 'wowed' when they come to school and understand that learning and fun are not separate concepts, said Gasdia.

By the end of the first day, I want the students to walk away with knowing [how] to celebrate and enjoy life while making a difference every day," said Wooden.