A new year has begun!

Our new school year got off to a smooth start overall and we are back in the swing of things! We have welcomed the following new staff to our district:

• Cold Spring School: Brendan McCarthy, Kindergarten Teacher; Lauren Mislak, Paraprofessional
• Swift River Elementary School: Allison Carey, Grade 3 Teacher; Karl Quist, Physical Education Teacher
• Chestnut Hill Community School: Jennifer McNulty, Art Teacher; Ron Oparowski, Paraprofessional; Linda Cristina, School Year Secretary
• Jabish Brook Middle School: Jennifer Poli, Reading LT Sub; Justin Mitchell, Grade 8 Math LT Sub
• Belchertown High School: Nicole Desabrais, English; Fintan Lindsay, Math; Mark Horan, Math/Computer Programming; Martha Halperin, Science LT Sub; Zachary Siano, Internal Suspension Supervisor/Guaranteed Sub
• District-wide: Kim Frisino-Hurst, Desktop Support Specialist; Dr. Joseph Silverman, School Psychologist; Johanna Hammer, Autism Behavioral Specialist; Kimberly Sarnacki, Physical Therapist.

Not only are classes off to a start for the school year, other activities have gotten underway as well. Over 200 students have chosen to participate in our athletics program this fall. They posed for a group picture on Thursday, August 30th:

They are a fine looking group and we wish our student athletes all the best in their fall season!

The School Committee has cancelled their previously scheduled meeting on Tuesday, September 4th. They will meet on Tuesday, September 11th. Two subcommittees of the School Committee will meet on Wednesday, September 5th. The Technology Advisory Committee will meet at 5:00 pm in the Superintendent's Office - click here for more information and a link to the agenda.

The Playground Committee will meet at 7:00 pm in the library at Chestnut Hill Community School on Wednesday, September 5th. Click here to see the agenda for this meeting.

As we enter into the second week of school we wish all our students, staff, and families the best of success in the coming school year.

As always, if you have any questions about this update, please feel free to call my office at 413.323.0423.

Best regards, Dr. Houle, Superintendent of Schools