As I write this column on the last day of July I can see the changes that already herald the coming of fall. There are the obvious natural changes including the fact that the daylight hours are now substantially shorter than just a few weeks ago. In addition, one can see the signs for our local fairs beginning to pop up, the beginning of ‘back to school’ sale flyers, and of course the work begin done at the schools to finish up the maintenance items; we realize there are less than four weeks before the school year starts.
Individual staff members are completing professional development and their own ongoing coursework, as well as beginning to plan for the opening day for students, all while trying to squeeze in some relaxation and vacation time (this points out that, for most teachers, summer is not just one long vacation).
On the school level everyone is working diligently to fill open positions, finish course scheduling, prepare packets for parents/guardians, and finish the final details for both staff and students to return. District level staff are working to complete filing required reports from the past year, start the process of collecting required data for the coming year, update everyone’s technology, and continue the changeover from one fiscal year to another–a process made more difficult this year as we wait for the towns to approve a budget for the 2017 – 2018 school year.
However, we anticipate that everything will be in place to welcome staff back on Monday, August 28 with students returning on Wednesday, August 30. This includes bus schedules posted on the district’s website, updated parent portals, student schedules, and the district calendar related to early releases, half days, school vacations, and the estimated last day of school (this year will again include the potential for using ‘Blizzard Bags’ for up to five school cancellations).
As always, we should all recognize and appreciate the hard work being done in preparation for the beginning of school by our secretaries, custodians, maintenance staff, business office staff, our technology staff, grounds keeper, and cafeteria staff as these folks really ensure that the day to day operations continue unabated, which allows our teachers, paraprofessionals, and administrators to focus on meeting student needs. These unsung positions are the grease that makes all of the wheels turn easily so that the educational aspects of the school can function effectively.
I hope our students and staff members enjoy and make the most of their remaining time before school begins at the end of August.
