Amid Changes, Start of School Goes Smoothly in Vernon

Vernon Superintendent of Schools Mary Conway had a busy day Wednesday in her efforts to visit all seven schools in part one of the first day of classes. 

Elementary school students, sixth-graders at Vernon Center Middle School and freshmen at Rockville High School reported for their first days on Wednesday.
Conway's visits began at 7:30 p.m. and went until 12:05 p.m. 

And she's back at VCMS and the high school on Thursday for seventh- and eighth-graders and sophomores, juniors and seniors. 

In as busy a summer as school officials can remember - there has been lot of shuffling - all went pretty smoothly. 

"I see this year year just so much enthusiasm," Conway said. "There has been a lot of change - and change can be tough tough for some - but it has been good change." 

She added, "I am very pleased with the energy and enthusiasm that I have seen with this year's opening of the schools." 

The major changes include: 

A new principal at both Rockville High School, Lake Street School and Maple Street School - Andrew Rockett, Tracy Duenzl and Pamela Barker-Jones, respectively. 

James Harrison moves from assistant principal to principal at VCMS. 
The high school and middle school have some new assistant principals. 

"The changes have been positive and the response has been positive," Conway said. 

Conway said she was particularly impressed with the goings-on at RHS. The first day is reserved for just freshmen so they can have the campus to themselves before the remained of the student body reports to school. 

Faculty members and student volunteers run the orientation. 

"I watched the ninth-graders going all kinds of incredible team-building," Conway said. "Their faces were so happy. It was phenomenal."

She said the same atmosphere was at VCMS with the sixth-graders.

"I can't wait to touch base with rest of the students. It will be full force tomorrow and I'm excited. It will be a great year."