Final Preparations

Final preparations are underway as we open the school doors to our students on Wednesday. Our bus drivers are preparing for their first pick-up and drop-off, last-minute preparations of the buildings are being made, and many of our teachers are already in their classrooms preparing for the new students they will greet on Wednesday, August 29th. It's a busy, but exciting time as we look forward to having our students return to us.

Belchertown High School hosted a very successful orientation night on Tuesday, August 21st, for the members of the Class of 2016 and new members of the Classes of 2015, 2014, and 2013. Mrs. Vigneux, BHS Principal, organizes this event each year to help new students find their way at their new high school. Over 100 student volunteers from our current student body came out to assist by providing tours, answering questions, and making their new classmates feel welcome. While the students were out and about after an initial presentation in the auditorium, Mrs. Vigneux stayed behind to answer parents' and guardians' questions about life at BHS.

Monday, August 27th, is visiting day at Jabish Brook Middle School. Students and their parents/guardians are welcome to stop by any time during the day to meet Mr. Ruscio, Principal, and Mrs. Monette, Assistant Principal, along with other staff members. Families new to JBMS will be able to tour the building and ask questions about their new surroundings.

Our athletic teams have begun practices for the fall season. Mr. Marchewka, the Dean of Students and Athletic Director at BHS, hosted a fall parents'/guardians' night on Sunday, August 26th, in order to provide an orientation to our fall sports programs and expectations for student athletes, as well as making sure that everyone is aware of our concussion policy and their obligations with regard to testing and protocols for possible head injuries.

Band camp also began over the last weekend in August, as marching season gets underway. The BHS marching band will perform at the Big E in West Springfield and in the Belchertown Fair parade, both in late September.

We look forward to seeing all our students return to school on Wednesday, August 29th, and to working with families and community members as partners in the process.

If you have any questions about this update, please feel free to call me at 413.323.0423.

Regards, Dr. Houle, Superintendent of Schools