New Curriculum, Staff Coming to Stoneham Schools

While there are no major changes planned for the new school year at Stoneham Public Schools, students will be encountering some curriculum changes and meeting new staff members.

According to Superintendent Les Olson, schools are introducing a new mathematics curriculum for grades K-8, and a new English language arts curriculum for grades K-5 this upcoming school year.

These changes are taking place in order to make Stoneham's curriculum more in line with state and national standards. Teachers went through additional professional development courses in June to get them up to speed with the changes. 

There are also 25 new staff members coming on board this upcoming school year, and the new hires include a mixture of recent graduate school graduates, and experienced staff coming from other schools. However, all of the school's principals will be returning.

Olson said the number of new staff members represents the typical turnover seen in the Stoneham Public School system each year. 

"I'm very pleased with the hiring selections the principals have been making," said Olson. 

 will be welcoming Thomas Arria as the new assistant principal. Arria will be taking over the position previously held by Peter Dannible, who from his post toward the end of the last school year.

In addition, Steven Orloff has also been hired as the new director of student services. 

Olson said that there are no major changes being implemented this year, but that this isn't necessarily a bad thing.

"You don't always need significant changes," Olson said. "You just have to keep on improving with the curriculum you have." 

The Stoneham School Building Committee also recently concerning the creation of a new 5-8 grade middle school that would be constructed about 50 feet back and partially on the grounds of the current .

This project could begin as early as April of next year, if all goes smoothly. 

The first day of school is slated for Wednesday, Aug. 31.