Back to School Special: What's New at the Dolbeare School

As we head into the start of another school year, Wakefield Patch caught up with the principals of each school in town to ask about any changes implemented over the summer.

Principal Beth Yando of the Dolbeare School shared what to expect when students walk in the door for the 2011-2012 school year.

Communication
One important change in communication this year is that Principal Yando will not be mailing hard copies of the school's newsletter to parents. Instead, the school's newsletter will be emailed and accessible through the school's official website.

"We’re trying to be green and do it through email," said Principal Yando. "Some families don’t have an email address, and I will still mail those," she said.

New Staff
Several new people will be joining the Dolbeare community this year: James Moriarty, instructional technology specialist, Michelle Gwozdz, part-time reading specialist, Alyce Jordan, pre-school teacher, Heather Stewart, building substitute, Caitlin Flaherty and Jane Gifun, paraprofessionals in the intensive special needs classroom, and Cristina Triglione, paraprofessional in the integrated kindergarten classroom. 

Current teachers Perry Pappas will be teaching grade 4 this year, and Brianna Semenza is moving from a long-term subsitute in pre-school to grade 3.

New Program
Students in grades 2, 3 and 4 will be participating in an online math league this year, which will put students from the Dolbeare up against students from other schools in a real-time math contest.

Each grade level will meet before school three times during the school year to take three multiple choice math tests.

"They take three multiple choice math tests wth five questions each, and the questions start out easier but they get progressively harder throughout the test," said Principal Yando.

Important Procedural Reminders
It's important that parents follow the pickup and drop-off procedures outlined in her newsletter, Principal Yando said.

For dropoff:

• The front loop is for buses, pre-k, and kindergarten students only.
• Children in grades 1-4 can be dropped off on Lowell Street or Vernon Street
• There is no street supervision until 8:30 a.m.

For pickup:

• Do not park at the Tedeschi store.
• You may park at the Shell Station, but do not block any sidewalks, entryways or exits.
• If the horseshoe loop is full, park at Woodcrest Street or a side street.
• Do not double park in the horseshoe lane.

 For the full list of guidelines on pickup/dropoff, see the newsletter.

Back to School Nights
Back to school night dates have been announced. For kindergaten and grade 1 students, Back to School Night will be on September 19, and for Pre-K and grade 2-4 students, it will be on September 20. The evenings begin at 5:30 and will feature a presentation from the principal, school nurse, school librarian, and a visit to the classrooms.

"I am excited to begin my second year as principal at the Dolbeare," said Principal Yando. "I look forward to working with each family and providing each student with a positive school experience."