Westport Cancels First Day of School

The first day of school has all of the emotions.  Think back to when you were a kid.  I remember getting super hero pajamas that my mom wouldn't let me wear until the night before the first day of school.

The first day of school outfit was all picked out and laid out on the dresser.  The backpack sitting by the door, filled with pens, pencils, highlighters, notebooks and binders.

Hundreds of children last night went to bed Monday night in Westport with that nervous excitement of the first day of school dancing in their heads.  When they woke up this morning, however, their parents broke the news.  The first day of school in Westport has been cancelled.

The news broke late Monday night in a Facebook post from Westport Community Schools.

"There will be NO SCHOOL for students and staff at the Westport Elementary School or the Westport Middle-High School (Tuesday) because of issues with the water system at both schools."

The cancellation led to complaints from some parents.

"Ridiculous," said Cindy Lee Thomas.  "Not fair to families who now have no child care set up!  It takes all day and night to realize this?"

Mindi Benevides wondered about the timing of the announcement.  "This is so vague.  How did it just come to fruition at 9pm?"

Laura Richter defended the teachers and administration.  "No they didn't know.  They were there at school today getting classrooms ready for our kids, and if they knew earlier so would we."

The school district offered their apologies.  "We apologize for the inconvenience that this unexpected No School Day may cause and will provide information about the situation as it unfolds."

Third grader Mila Ferreira was confused when she woke up this morning.  "Mom, did you forget to wake me up for my first day of school?"  When her mother Ashley told her that school had been cancelled she said, "This ruins everything, what about my outfit?"

"There will be another first day," said Ashley.