Article from East Windsor/Windsor Locks Patch

Windsor Locks Schools Open Doors To A New Academic Year


Officials delayed opening schools one day because of power outages caused by Tropical Storm Irene.


By
Larry Smith
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August 30, 2011

After being delayed one day, Windsor Locks Public Schools opened Tuesday with faculty, staff and students happy to be back.

Tropical Storm Irene caused the delay as a power was out at South Elementary School until Monday night. Superintendent of Schools Wayne Sweeney said it was decided Monday afternoon to open school counting on the power to be restored before Tuesday.

While walking through the halls of Windsor Locks High School, Sweeney said the first day of school went off without a problem and everyone was happy to start the new year.

“Everyone is pleased to be here,” Sweeney said.

South Elementary School Principal James Moriarty greeted students dressed in a tuxedo with colorful vest and bow tie. He said he did it to keep the students guessing.

Moriarty said Tuesday morning that school had gone well with nary a tear from students. When asked what was the best thing about the first day of school

“This year, it’s the fact we’re here,”  he said, referring to Monday’s power outage.

Moriarty said it’s really fun to begin the year and see the students eager to be at school.

In his newsletter for the start of the school year, Sweeney said the school system is starting some new initiatives.

Those include: a new district long range plan which will guide the district’s work for the next 3 years;  a new district parent/community advisory committee is being established and existing PTA’s/PTO’s will be enhanced to provided parents an opportunity to contribute to school improvement discussions; and each school will be developing a school level long range improvement plan which will be aligned with the district plan.

Other initiatives: a PreK-12 PLC-time (Professional Learning Community) has been established to provide teachers with dedicated time to review individual student data and develop specific instructional plans to meet the needs of each child. That will be accomplished by releasing students one hour early on Mondays; and every school will have a staff school governance team providing staff with an important role and responsibility in improving our schools.
In response to concerns from some parents regarding the PLC time there will be fewer sessions, Sweeney said in the newsletter. There will be no PLC time on November 7, 21, or April 2, and the first PLC dismissal will be September 12.
The PLC is scheduled to be discussed at the board of education's September 8 meeting, Sweeney said Tuesday.