School Dept. announces Central School moving plans
Published on October 31st, 2001
STONEHAM, MA - It has been a long haul, but the new Central School is just about ready for business.
"It's in terrific shape," said Stoneham School Superintendent Dr. Joseph Connelly on Monday.
Central School teachers, staff, parents and students have been notified of the plan that includes early dismissals, moving vans, cancelled school, and alas, resumption of classes in a brand new, state of the art school building.
This week, Central School students will enjoy a 12:30 p.m. dismissal on both Wednesday and Thursday. This time will allow teachers to pack up their classrooms while the Central School contractor, Alexandra Construction, oversees a professional cleaning of the new building. Vendors are currently moving in and setting up furniture.
On Friday, Central School students are scheduled for a full day in the old William Street building. Moving will take place on Friday, Saturday, and if necessary, Sunday. Classes are cancelled for Central School students on Monday, Nov. 5, and Tuesday, Nov. 6, in order for teachers to unpack and set up classrooms.
Central School students will report to the new building on Wednesday, Nov. 7.
According to Connelly, the only work not yet completed is a final coat of asphalt in the driveway and parking lot. This is not an occupancy permit issue, however, and if time does not allow for a final coat to be applied prior to traffic rolling in next week, then lines for parking will be painted on the undercoat with completion to follow.
A number of inspections of the new building were completed last week including elevator, health and fire. Building Inspector Gene Argiro did a walk-through of the building and, according to Connelly, saw nothing that would interfere with the opening of school on Nov. 7. Argiro is expected to complete his final inspection on Monday, Nov. 5, with the last piece of the puzzle being issuance of a certificate of occupancy.
The School Committee was very concerned with the short notice given to parents regarding early release and cancelled school dates. Due to the short notice, after-school child care is being offered at the old Central School on the two early release dates and on the two cancelled school days.
The deadline to sign up for this service was last Friday. However, there are still openings for any Central School family in need of the service. The hours on Wednesday and Thursday, Oct. 31 and Nov. 1, are 12:30-2:30 p.m. and on Monday and Tuesday, Nov. 5 and 6, the hours are 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The cost is $8 for a half day and $25 for a full day. For more information, contact Central School principal Kathleen Windisch.
The corridors of the old Central School building will not echo in loneliness for long, however. Almost as soon as Central School students leave, new ones will arrive and the halls will bustle once again.
The Robin Hood and Colonial Park School buildings are scheduled for renovation soon, and those students are scheduled to move to the old Central School building for the duration of the renovation projects.
Robin Hood and Colonial Park School families have been notified of the moving dates and changes in regular school schedule. These moves will follow the same pattern as the Central School move.
On Wednesday, Nov. 7 and Thursday, Nov. 8, Robin Hood and Colonial Park School students will be dismissed at 12:30 p.m. A full day of school will follow on Friday, Nov. 9. Moving will take place on Friday, Nov. 9, Saturday, Nov. 10, and Sunday, Nov. 11.
Monday, Nov. 12, is Veterans’ Day and is a scheduled day off from school. Classes are cancelled for Robin Hood and Colonial Park School students on Tuesday, Nov. 13, and Wednesday, Nov. 14. Robin Hood and Colonial Park School students will report to the old Central School building on Thursday, Nov. 15.
Once the moves are complete, there will be literally hundreds of students in the Pomeworth Street area and with them, parents driving cars.
To combat the expected traffic congestion, Connelly announced that an earlier traffic flow plan for the new Central School has been revised.
The new plan allows cars to enter the new school site via the Pomeworth Street entrance, but cars leaving the site must exit via the roadway that circles behind the office building and out onto Central Street. This is the same exit route that the Middle School has been using successfully.
School start times have also been changed. School will begin for students in the new Central School at 8:15 a.m. Robin Hood and Colonial Park School students will start their classes in the old Central School building at 8:20 a.m.
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