Schools
Superintendent a Big Fan of Staggered Start Dates
She says that it gives transitioning students a chance to walk through the routine one extra day.
School officials are employing a unique system for the start of classes in two weeks.
On Wednesday, Aug. 31, students in pre-K through grade 6 and students in grade 9 will start school.
On Thursday, Sept. 1, students in grades 7 and 8 and students in grades 10 through 12.
Superintendent of Schools Mary Conway is always eager to see how it works out.
''I think by staggering the start dates, it provides additional support for the sixth- and ninth-graders,'' Conway said. ''Those are tough transition years.''
On Aug. 31, the sixth-graders and the ninth-graders will be the only ones in their respective buildings.
"You're protected and nurtured as a young child in the home and then you are still kind of protected and nurtured in elementary school,'' Conway said. ''Then you are with 800 students at the middle school and 1,000 at the high school.
"The extra day really allows those students to get to know other students and get to know the teachers,'' Conway said.
The extra day can also serve as a practice run for the teachers and their teams, Conway said. Each team has four or five teachers and about 100 students.
Then, there are the original transitioning students - the kindergarteners.
''We just love our kindergarten students,'' Conway said. ''They come to school so excited - so ready to achieve and succeed.''
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
