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Dear OHS Families,

Welcome to the 2022-2023 school year!  It was a treat to see so many of you on Friday during our visits in the morning.  It seemed like students and families enjoyed the opportunity for the sneak peek.  It was a treat for me to catch up with some of you and I look forward to seeing more of you in the coming days. 

Our school grew quite a bit over the summer and we have 441 students expected the first day of school, up from ending last year with 411.  We are busting at the seams in some regards and had to be creative in making space for the new grade 1 classroom that was added this past week.  Luckily, we have flexible staff members who work together to solve problems and we have things worked out and ready for day one.

Our staffing is in pretty good shape overall to start the year, though it was a tricky summer for finding new employees.  We are starting the year still looking for a part-time paraeducator, a building sub, and a short term special education teacher sub.  We have a long-term substitute for Audra Dressler (one of our school psychologists) starting just after labor day.

We have some other new staff members joining our community that I can introduce now. John Fitzgerald is starting the year student teaching in 2A and will then continue on as our school intern for the year.  Aidan McLaughlin is our new building substitute and has already been a great addition to our team.  I am also happy to announce Marsha Brennan, who retired as a third grade teacher this past school year, will be working on Mondays and Tuesdays in our library as an LLC paraeducator.  It will be great to have her back in our community.  We have a new part-time music teacher, Keri Salustri, who will be teaching some of our younger classes. 

It was wonderful getting time back with our wonderful staff this past week.  The halls were bustling as staff welcomed one another back, prepared rooms, and planned together.  The love our staff put into getting everything prepared for our students is a gift to witness and I thank them for all the care and effort they put into the return.

All of this would not be possible without the great efforts our custodial team of Mr. Bill, Mr. Gary, and Mr. Dave put into their heavy summer work.  They empty every room and clean from the floors up.  It is a huge feat, especially when trying to work around the Parks and Rec Camp that is in the building until the first week of August.  This year had the added challenge of returning a great deal of furniture that had been stored during COVID times.  The school looks exceptionally amazing this year and I can’t thank Bill, Gary, and Dave enough.

The PTA has been busily giving already this year.  They have upgraded the staff room, provided new recess equipment in special containers, provided furniture and resources for the building, and even a delicious food truck to welcome back staff.  We are fortunate to have a PTA that supports our school so fully and gives not only from its funds but also members’ time.  In this past week alone, we had volunteers assembling new items, decorating and finishing the staff room, and delivering items to classrooms. 

I encourage all families to join our PTA and help out with any time you might be able to provide.  I am personally looking forward to working closely with Karla Connors and Juliette Tiriolo, the new PTA presidents, along with the board and greater PTA.  The partnership of the PTA with our school is of great benefit to our students and I hope you will be a part of that work.

On Tuesday, we will have our first CARES assemblies of the year.  We will read a book about kindness, introduce our CARES work for the year, and review expectations for different shared spaces in the building. 

On Friday, we will have our first fire drill of the year.  Teachers will review fire drill protocols with students and even practice some elements prior to our first drill. 

As we move into our new year, I want to thank all our families for trusting us with your loved ones.  It is not something our staff members take lightly.  I look forward to working with your children and all of you this year.  We have a special community together.  Thank you for being an important part of it.

Sincerely,

David