First Day: Report Card

More than 22,000 students filled the public schools Monday, Aug. 15, during the first day of the 2011-2012 school year. 

According to Dorchester School District Two officials, opening day went "smoothly" at all 22 school sites with many principals reporting that it was the one of the smoothest openings they have ever experienced. 

“Everyone was focused on getting children settled in their classes as quickly and smoothly as possible so learning could begin. One would have thought it was the third or fourth week of school,” Superintendent Joe Pye said.

However, school buses delivered children a little behind schedule at several schools, according to a district press release.

First day student counts showed numbers increased by 484 students over the first day last year with an unofficial total of 22,328 students in attendance Monday. Student numbers will be monitored each day and Pye expects the numbers to increase.

A major highlight of the new school year is the opening of the district’s 12th elementary school Joseph R. Pye Elementary. A projected enrollment of slightly more than 700 students will attend the new school that is located in a high growth area of the school district. The much-anticipated elementary school will help with overcrowding at Fort Dorchester Elementary, Oakbrook Elementary and Spann Elementary, according to the district.

District staff members were at all school sites to assist schools on the first day and also to observe how the openings went. All staff reported very few problem areas that could not be taken care of with minoradjustments, the district reported.

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