Back-to-school season is a time for new beginnings, new routines, and a commitment to give it your all.
Mascenic Regional School District opened its doors Monday, the first in the region to do so. Today, the ConVal and Jaffrey-Rindge districts follow suit. Mason opens Wednesday.
As the 2016-2017 year gets underway, there are familiar faces returning to school buildings, alongside a number of new hires.
In Mascenic, they welcome John Barth, formerly of Conant, as the new principal at the high school. Charles Langille will serve as his second in command. In her yearly letter to students and parents, Superintendent Ruthann Goguen shares her goals for the year: a commitment to student programming, putting student needs first and maintaining a safe, secure learning environment. We applaud Goguen for taking the time to identify and clearly state goals. It’s easier to be successful if everyone is on the same page.
At Jaffrey-Rindge, Superintendent Reuben Duncan starts his second year. Duncan has been an approachable leader, available to his staff and to the public. Kelly Marcotte is also headed into her second year leading Rindge Memorial School. The district has brought a communications coordinator, Kim Sychterz, on board. Also notable this year in Jaffrey is the end of the Extended Day Program as well as world languages in the grade school. Both are regrettable decisions.
At ConVal, Ann Allwarden steps into the role of assistant school superintendent, while newcomer John Jordan takes over as principal at Pierce/Antrim Elementary School. Kimberly Saunders has been named superintendent. We look forward to a year of building community at the school.
In Mason, Kristen Kivela does double duty this year as principal and superintendent at SAU 89. Jonas Taub does as well, acting as the student services director as well as school psychologist.
We wish parents, students, teachers and administrators a great start to the year and the commitment and drive to keep it going strong until next June rolls around.