Turley Publication photo by Jonathan Cook

West Brookfield Elementary School Sixth grade teacher Billy Jean Moberg and her son Gabriel try out her new reading hut complete with fish tank.

Quaboag readies to welcome students back

First day set for Sept. 1

By Jonathan Cook

Turley Publications Reporter

WEST BROOKFIELD/WARREN – Three youthful and energetic principals take the helm together this year at district schools.

They may all be relatively new to the job, but each expresses eagerness to have the kids back in class.

West Brookfield Elementary Principal Colleen Much began just over a year ago at that post and immediately dealt with chronic building problems. Now, she says, “we have made many building improvements.” Those include repairs to the stonewall out front, new playground materials and a load of sand for the playground. Leaking faucet and toilets have been fixed or replaced.

As for the roof that leaked intermittently for years, “the roof seems to be fine,” says Mucha. Although, she has found a few wet spots in ceiling tiles, so far, the problem has stemmed from air conditioning condensation.

In the cafeteria, the windows were tinted to keep it cool in warm weather. Also a fan was added for the kitchen.

She has been busy, but she still says, “it’s a very long summer if you don’t have any kids around.”

There will be many come the first bell. Mucha said that in addition to new school choice kids, there are several returning from private schools. Several new teachers will be in place to greet them.

Kim Welsh is a new teacher for sixth grade. Karen Oliveira was hired to teach fifth grade. Julie Butler takes over Special Education for first and second grades, and Paul Holloway, who started part time last years, comes on full time for the fifth and sixth grade Special Ed.

On the first day, Sept. 1, Kindergarten orientation will be held from 9:30 to 11 a.m.

Mucha also pointed out that right at the start of the school year, students will be part of the decision making process. “They will be asked, what will make your classrooms run smoothly? Kids taking ownership,” Mucha explained.

Mucha’s counterpart in Warren, Suzanne Sullivan, is beginning her first school year as principal, but she says the other administrators have welcomed her and help her prepare to the point where she is comfortable to have 505 children, as of this week, arrive on Wednesday morning.

”Preparations have gone very well,” says Sullivan.

Building improvements included replacing concrete on the front walkway, fixing a fire pump and installing donated computers from Flexcon. She says the generation donation has completely changed the computer room into a better education space.

Sullivan says, “summer was great for getting to know people and the systems, but I can’t wait for the kids to get here.”

New teachers in Warren include Rachael Rude to teach the Life Skill’s Journey’s program. A grade four Special Ed teacher position will be reposted for applicants, Sullivan said. “We’re hoping for just the right person,” she said.

Staffing the middle high school this year was like a jigsaw puzzle for Principal Greg Myers with almost 10 slots to fill including several internal moves. Myers who began about the same time as Mucha, has almost completed his staffing puzzle.

Scott Booker has been hired to teach seventh grade social studies, Mike Donofrio is on board for ninth grade Earth Sciences, Amy D’Aquila will teach high school chemistry, Roberta Lusignan is on to teach seventh grade life sciences, and Jackie Lariviere will take high school biology.

Three spots remain unfilled, but Myers says there are finalists and those positions should be filled this week.

He notes that Quaboag tends to draw from local manpower resources, even though there are a lot of teachers looking for jobs.

“What we have so far, I am really happy with,” he said.

The new principals have been collaborating on handbooks and policies to create a consistency for the students. In the process, each found it a pleasure to work with the others, and each spoke highly of the effort.

They also mentioned the stellar work of new Technology Director Steve Batchelder as he has unified systems and updated the network. “I think everybody who uses a computer will notice an improvement,” said Mucha.

Come Wednesday, alarm clocks will go off early.