Back-to-School Primer for Students, Parents

One new school.

Two new principals.

Returning teachers and new teachers and staff.

Next will come the students.

Summer unofficially ends and school starts for public school students in grades 1 through 12 this coming Thursday, Sept. 8.

Here’s what you need to know about the first day of school at the city’s elementary, middle and high schools.

The new school that’s opening Thursday for this 2011-2012 school year is the on Montvale Avenue at Central Street. Some students will be returning to the Goodyear from the Clapp-Goodyear School; some will be moving from the Clapp-Goodyear to the The at the end of the last school year in anticipation of the

The two new school principals are and

Stark started his education career in Westwood five years ago, at the Downey School. He taught first, second and third grades and served as an assistant to the principal there.

Zottoli comes to Woburn from Lexington, where she taught third and fifth grades and was a part-time assistant principal, she said, for eight years. She also helped plan curriculum for a charter school, she said, and taught second grade in California.

SCHOOL HOURS

Elementary Schools

Students enter their schools at 8:15 a.m. Students must be in their classroom seats by 8:25. 

On the first day of school, teachers at several elementary schools will greet students outside at 8:15 a.m. and lead them into their buildings.

At the Wyman School, on the first day of school, kindergarteners and their parents should go directly to the kindergarten classrooms to meet their teacher, according to Wyman Principal Zottoli. Those parents should park in the rear parking lot, she wrote in a letter to Wyman parents and students that outlines various school procedures.

After the first day of school, follow your school’s entry and dismissal policy.

Dismissal: 2:40 p.m.

Middle Schools

Enter the building at 8 a.m. 

Dismissal: 2:15 p.m.

High School

Homeroom begins at 7:30 a.m. Students usually arrive around 7:20 a.m., according to Principal Joseph Finigan. The dismissal bell rings at 1:51 p.m. Buses roll about five minutes later.

The first day of school will be a full day for all students, elementary, middle and high schoolers.

TRANSPORTATION

For students who take a bus to school, bus routes are listed on the school website, woburnpublicschools.com.

At the high school, students park in student parking spots near Connolly Stadium. They are marked as student parking.

Traffic is crazy at all schools on the first day of school, according to Principal Wayne Clark. Plan to arrive early, he suggested, at 8 a.m. with elementary school students.

At school, follow your school’s drop-off policy. At the Malcolm White School, Principal Stark emphasizes that drivers not park in the parking spaces in front of the school. They are for school staff. You may park in the spaces on Bow Street and walk your child to the school door. Or you may pull up to the crosswalk near the front door and drop your child off there.

LUNCH

Students can bring lunch or buy lunch.

School lunch prices:

Elementary school—$2.25

Middle school—$2.50

High school—$2.75

Reduced price and free lunches are available based on a family’s income and other criteria. Check with the principal of your child’s school.

Breakfast is available at six schools:  WMHS, both the Joyce and Kennedy Middle Schools and three elementary schools:  the Shamrock, Goodyear and White Schools. Breakfast costs $1; the reduce price is 30 cents.

Send a snack for kindergarteners, suggested elementary School Principal Ernie Wells.

CLASS ASSIGNMENTS AND SUPPLIES

 Class assignment lists and supply lists have been posted near the front doors of most schools. Some supply lists are posted on schools’ websites, accessible from the district website. 

Principals ask that you read all the paperwork your child or children bring home and get back to the school the papers that need to be returned, signed where required.

THE BIG PICTURE

When the big day arrives, students and parents, try to relax, even if your child is going to a school that’s new to him or her.

Principal Wendy Sprague offered parents this piece of advice.

“We are well-prepared and will meet children at the school doors, she said.

“This is the perfect time to let your kids grow and start their steps toward independence.”

Incoming kindergarteners will become, Malcolm While Principal Stark pointed out in his letter to Malcolm White School families, members of the Class of 2024.

At the middle school level, Principal Carl Nelson said sixth graders will spend much of their first day with their homeroom teacher.

“Come back recharged and ready to go,” Principal Thomas Qualey tells Joyce students. And be on time.  “Don’t miss the bus,” especially the first day.