Newtown Public Schools educators and staff gathered in the Newtown High School gymnasium on Wednesday, August 24, for a convocation to start the 2016-17 school year, ahead of the first day of school on August 29.This article has been updated to reflect Lisa Condon being named as the Newtown Public Schools Paraprofessional of the Year and the Connecticut State Department of Education's Anne Marie Murphy Paraeducator of the Year Award.

Board of Education Chair Keith Alexander, Assistant Superintendent of Schools Jean Evans Davila, Superintendent of Schools Joseph V. Erardi, Jr, and others spoke during the assembly.

Mr Alexander was one of the first introduced to address the gathered educators. He welcomed all on behalf of the school board.

Though both of his children have graduated, Mr Alexander said the educators prepared them for what they are experiencing now, some directly and others more indirectly.

"You didn't do it alone. [Dr Erardi] asks everyone to come to convocation, because we all contribute to the success of our students," Mr Alexander said. "It's your support and attention to them that makes the difference, but it isn't only direct interaction with students that supports them. When we work together with students' needs in mind, they benefit."

Throughout each school day - from getting on the bus to arriving home with assignments - Mr Alexander said students are set up to succeed.

"Your efforts helped my kids, and all the kids in Newtown to get where they are today and to get where they are going tomorrow," said Mr Alexander. "So thank you very much, and welcome to the school year."

Newtown Federation of Teachers President Tom Kuroski asked new staff members for the 2016-17 school year to stand. He then shared memories from his new teacher bus ride tour of town, a staple still offered to new teachers.

"The creamery wasn't there 32 years ago. I didn't get the creamery," Mr Kuroski said smiling, before naming teachers who were on the bus ride with him who continue to teach in the district.

He thanked everyone that helped coordinate welcoming the new teachers in the district.

"I let the new teachers know that my experience in Newtown has been nothing short of fantastic," said Mr Kuroski, sharing how he welcomes new teachers to the district. "I hope that they will recall their bus trip later in their career as they reach out to future incoming educators."

Mr Kuroski wished the assembled educators luck, "as we begin what I believe will be a banner year."

Ms Davila shared that she had recently told the new staff about the "wonderful collegiality" Newtown's teachers exhibit.

Over the last year, Ms Davila said she saw the teachers "in action," and witnessed the depth of commitment, caring, and support the teachers show for one another and students. "Without exception, I have seen that you understand that we must first capture students' hearts before we can engage their minds," she added.

The Newtown Public Schools Paraprofessional of the Year and the Connecticut State Department of Education's Anne Marie Murphy Paraeducator of the Year Award winner Lisa Condon, who works at Newtown High School, was introduced by NHS Principal Lorrie Rodrigue. Ms Condon and was given a bouquet of flowers by Ann Marie Murphy's daughter, Kelly, to mark earning the award. Ms Rodrigue said Ms Condon was a friend of Anne Marie Murphy, who died at Sandy Hook Elementary School 12/14, so earning the state award for paraeducators named after her friend was extra special.

The 2016-17 Newtown Public Schools' Teacher of the Year Kathleen Davey was asked to speak for the convocation event, and Ms Rodrigue said it was fitting that this year's convocation was held in the high school's main gymnasium rather than the auditorium, where it is normally held, as the gymnasium is where"she inspires her students."

Ms Davey, stepping up after applause from the audience, smiled and said, "Well, welcome to my classroom."

"Convocation is a chance for a new beginning," said Ms Davey, before speaking about the Fitness for Life and Unified Sports programs she has led at NHS.

She told her fellow educators to find their passion and follow it, then shared a slide show demonstrating her passion, displaying photos from Fitness for Life and Unified Sports activities on a projection screen. The photos showed students huddled together and facing the camera with smiles, students holding hands, students in the gymnasium, teams meeting, high fives, and group excursions.

"If you have not found your passion, I hope this is the year," Ms Davey said.

Superintendent of Schools Joseph V. Erardi, Jr, was the closing speaker for the event, and he welcomed everyone back for the coming school year.

"Two years ago, I stood in front of you and spoke to a five-year plan," said Dr Erardi, "built on stretching resources, trust, enhancing school climate, connecting and joining partners with our work, hiring the absolute best and our brightest, school safety, and most importantly supporting your work by using it as the new district default," said Dr Erardi, adding many in the community have offered to share their knowledge, expertise, and resources with the district.

He later asked the educators to continue the five-year plan effort.

The country continues to scrutinize Newtown, Dr Erardi said, adding that when the attention began, "We chose to double down on teaching, on learning, on mentoring, empowering students, and holding the hands of those that [are in] need."

The people watching, Dr Erardi said, have no idea what the journey was like or the extent of the district educators' perseverance, grit, and determination.

The first day of school on Monday, August 29, Dr Erardi said, will highlight "an amazing building, returning home to Sandy Hook," but also a much more amazing staff.

The school district, Dr Erardi said, does what is right rather than what is popular. It recognizes the importance of "thank you," that no business in the country is as vitally important as the business of educating children, and that no dollar value "can equate to the educator who cares."

"My belief in Newtown: you simply find a way," the superintendent said.

Dr Erardi listed a number of things he is confident will occur in the 2016-17 school year, such as Newtown becoming an exemplar school district for other towns.

"Most importantly, I am confident that every employee - 1,000 employees strong - can reflect in June of 2017 that they worked as hard and as smart as they possibly could for youngsters that needed their intelligence, their guidance, and their wisdom," said Dr Erardi. "We will have an extraordinary school year and every youngster, one at a time, will have the opportunity to be our best hope for the future."

He went on to wish everyone "their absolute best school year."