Schools set for opening
Published on August 27th, 2003
STONEHAM, MA - Aside from the typical fine tuning and controlled chaos right before the start of a new school year, the Stoneham public school system is ready for all six school facilities to open on Thursday, September 4.
"Let's tie up all the loose ends this week, and make sure that we're off to a good start with the kids coming back to school," said Stoneham Superintendent Dr. Joseph Connelly at a meeting of staff and town personnel prior to next week's school opening. "With two new schools opening, let's make a clear effort to ensure the safety of each and every child."
Among the plans outlined by Connelly were pick-up and drop-off points for children at the brand-spanking new Colonial Park and Robin Hood Schools.
According to the parking plans, parents will travel down Avalon Road, drive the side length of the building, and either enter the one-way pick-up and drop-off lane to the right, or enter the two-way parent/visitor parking lane to the left.
According to Connelly, a cut-through between the two lanes has been eliminated to avoid possible confusion and traffic back-ups.
"Parents dropping off and picking up children by car must use the designated area, starting in front of the school and extending the entire length of the building," wrote Colonial Park Principal Maureen Burke. "Parents will be using the fire lane when dropping off/picking up their children, therefore, parents must remain in their cars."
At the Robin Hood School, parents will enter the school driveway on Oak Street, and pick-up and drop-off students in a semi-circular driveway facing the front entrance of the school.
According to Connelly, school bus and van drop-off will take place at the Magnolia Terrace entrance to Robin Hood, but the Superintendent thought that the some parents may also be able to take advantage of the Magnolia Terrace entrance as a pick-up spot.
"This is all going to be new, and we're obviously going to have to monitor it closely," said Connelly. "Unless it develops into a problem, using Magnolia Terrace as a second pick-up and drop-off for parents could be something to take pressure off the Oak Street entrance."
Stoneham Safety Officer Larry Rotondi and Police Chief Gregory O'Keefe outlined the traffic director situation for the school officials.
Police officials managed to secure $15,000 in additional funds at Special Town Meeting for two traffic directors initially cut from the budget, but may still need to revisit the situation at Town Meeting in October.
"We're going to monitor the situation, and keep 26 traffic directors through October including people in the parking lot at the Central and South School parking lots," said O'Keefe. "At that point, though, we're going to need additional funds, or we'll have to cut back."
According to O'Keefe, traffic directors have already been cut at the intersection of Main Street and Montvale Ave., and on Pond Street near the Edgewood School.
"We've cut those positions as well as any half-day dismissals from St. Pat's or any other private school," said O'Keefe. "We just can't spare the people for private schools in town."
Aside from the many traffic concerns, both schools are "just completing the finishing touches" according to Colonial Park Principal Maureen Burke.
The painting of traffic lines and parking spots, the final landscaping, the construction of desks and computer tables, and the installation of computers are the final harbingers of the upcoming school year.
The South School has replaced carpets in three classrooms, and is in the midst of repairing electrical damage caused by a series of destructive lightning storms this summer.
Connelly and the Central School Principal Kathy Windisch are hoping to straighten out some Central School parking issued carrying over from last year.
Connelly voiced hope that all parents planning to stay at Central School for an extended period of time would park on Pomeworth Street, and walk to the school or the adjacent tot-lot.
"Right now the on-site parking is strictly for pick-up and drop-off, and we're hoping that the parents will adhere to that," said Connelly.
In addition, Connelly noted that this may be the last year for school-wide bussing. According to Connelly, 225 families signed up to foot the entire $400 per child fee for bussing this school year. The fee is a sizable raise from the $195 per child fee for the 2002-03 school year.
There has been one problem, though, according to Connelly. A handful of parents have cancelled their plans for bussing since paying a $25 non-refundable deposit last spring.
"We've had a group of parents renege, and now we're $2,000-3,000 short for the coming year," said Connelly. "We're going to have to find the money somewhere."
According to Connelly, the contract with North Suburban Bussing out of Woburn comes to an end this spring, and their next contract could be a sizable raise in price.
"Our contract has been well under the market average the last few years, and we may not be able to afford the cost of a new contract next year," said Connelly of the rising costs for bussing students to school, and to academic and athletic events.
School officials also discussed a recent memo from the State Building Department that limits the amount of paper hanging on the walls and corridors of schools.
According to Connelly, 30 percent of a classroom may be covered by paper paintings, artwork, posters or other such decorations, but points of egress are strictly forbidden from any form of paper wall-hangings.
Several school principals wondered aloud whether this could preclude them from using hallway bulletin boards or students artwork, and Connelly promised to follow up and attain a final ruling.
"We'll have to be in contact with the Building Department officials and get a ruling," said Connelly. "It would be a shame if we're not able to use those beautiful large bulletin boards at the new schools...this could mean that a portion of the Flansburgh school design is already obsolete."
As for this year, the school administration seems ready for the challenge of the coming year.
"We're ready for anything thrown at us," said Stoneham High School Principal Tom Ryan.
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