Week in Review

The week before school begins turned out to be a busy one for Arlington school administrators.

On Tuesday, they came under fire at the School Committee's budget subcommittee meeting, as parents wanted to know why they weren't notified sooner that the district was headed toward a large deficit in fiscal year 2010 and questioned how the district fell so far behind. At that meeting, Superintendent Kathleen Bodie said she would look to add an additional kindergarten teacher at Brackett Elementary School without seeking the approval of the School Committee. To do so, she said she would need to find available funds in staffing.

Also on Tuesday, Arlington High football players stuck around after a double-session to practice with more than 100 Pop Warner players.

For this coming school year, Arlington High has tweaked its schedule and added online courses, while Ottoson Middle School Principal Timothy Ruggere spearheaded a number of changes to improve the school's curriculum and student experience.

Bus routes were also posted for sixth graders at Ottoson and students at Bishop Elementary. Students in grades 1-12 start classes Wednesday.

Police and emergency personnel also had an active week.

A 39-year-old man and his 10-year-old son had to be rescued Saturday morning from an outdoor pool at the Old Colony Lane condominiums off Massachusetts Avenue. The father was transported to Lahey Clinic in Burlington and was listed in critical condition. Emergency personnel also responded to a tractor trailer fire that closed Route 2 west in Arlington Wednesday afternoon.

In business news, … Cakes Bakery & Café, a Milton bakery, will open a second location at the site of the former Sweet Sue's Bakery Café on Massachusetts Avenue.