BY DARRELL HALEN

It’s not every night a trail of bear paw prints leads visitors at Golden Brook School to its cafeteria.

Or that a group of teddy bears are sitting at a table for a tea party in the school’s lobby.

But this was special night.

A group of youngsters who will enter the school as first-year students this fall were enjoying a Teddy Bear Picnic.

It’s an annual event to introduce the future students and their parents to the school and help ease jitters on the first day of school.

“It’s a way to get them in the school in a positive atmosphere,” said Katy Smith, the school’s librarian. “It’s a great time.”

The bear-theme event is hosted by the First Teacher Project, a program in which a committee works collaboratively with parents and the community to ensure that students come to Golden Brook School ready to learn.

This year, picnics took place on two nights.

Ryan Pascarella, 5, attended the Feb. 1 picnic with his mother, Lisa, and his small white bear, Snowy.

They gathered with other children and parents in the school’s gymnasium and listened to reading specialist Michelle Romein as she read the children’s book, “My Friend Bear.”

Next, the students broke into groups and rotated through four fun-filled stations.

Along with music teacher Eric Graff, children enjoyed using lummi sticks.

They decorated – and ate – chocolate graham crackers.

They created their own library book bag featuring a teddy bear face to take home.

And with their parents, they held a multicolored parachute and raised it to send colored balls and Ollie, an inflatable octopus, toward the gymnasium ceiling.

In addition to meeting the music teacher, the students were introduced to art teacher Jennifer Proulx and physical education teacher Ryan Bartlett.

“All the future students – I can’t wait to see you in the fall,” Bartlett told a group.

And before they left, each youngster received a free copy of the book, “Jesse Bear, What Will You Wear?”

Ryan carried his copy home in his new book bag.