When someone said, “We have to get together,” a group of retired Warren County School District educators took it seriously.

The first day of school is their day to meet, reminisce, and generally talk shop.

A group of retired elementary educators, including teachers, cafeteria workers, aides, from the western parts of Warren County School District — the Brokenstraw Valley schools — gather several times a year. The first day of school is the main event.

“We were coworkers in the beginning and have become life-long friends sharing our experiences, helping each other cope with the changes and challenges in our lives,” Janet Savko said. “The first day of school brunch is extra special, reminiscing about our teaching days and thankful we are safely retired.”

They will gather at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 31 — the first day of school for the 2022-23 Warren County School District year — at Island Park in Youngsville.

The group does some community service activities — at Youngsville Public Library, at churches and senior centers. “We offer help to those involved in civic activities,” Savko said.

But, “our little group is primarily a social group,” Savko said. “We get together – as few as five or as many as 20 — once a month for lunch to catch up on our families and activities.”

“The first day of school is an absolute must meet day,” she said.

The bonds are closer than those that connect many colleagues.

“We like each other,” she said. “We were more like family than co-workers. We have been through marriages, children, grandchildren, graduations and deaths. We genuinely care about each other.”

The group, plus and minus some here and there, has been meeting for at least 12 years.

“You know how some people say, ‘We have to get together,’ and they never do?” she said. “We are friends with many different interests that may or may not allow us to cross paths.”

“We decided to set a time — the last Tuesday of the month to get together,” Savko said. “Whoever can attend, great. If someone cannot be there, maybe next month.”