By ANDY GARDNER and MATT LINDSEY

With school starting at most districts extra early before Labor Day on Sept. 3, students can expect to see new renovations, programs and faculty throughout the Massena-Ogdensburg area.

Massena Central is introducing a new reading program for kindergarten through fourth grade and will be emphasizing giving help to students having difficulty in math.

In Ogdensburg, students will be able to use a new pool and auditorium, along with revamped gymnasiums and locker rooms.

Morristown students will get an extra half hour added to their school day specifically for homework time and extra help.

Madrid-Waddington has begun the search for a new superintendent and will begin a $3.9 million capital project.

New Reading Program

Massena Central students in kindergarten through fourth grade will partake in a new reading program and teachers will be focusing on students having trouble with math class, Superintendent of Schools Patrick Brady said, who took the district’s helm in July.

“This year, our elementary staff will be implementing a new reading program at both the K-2 and 3-4 levels,” Massena’s top school administrator said. “These programs are better aligned with the Common Core curriculum and are part of our efforts to raise overall student achievement in the district.”

He says teachers have been working through the summer to train and develop lessons for the new program.

“We will also be placing a strong emphasis next year on improving our support for students who struggle with math,” Brady said. “State initiatives such as improving instructional technology in the classroom through the Smart School Bond Act and revising the teacher and principal evaluation system will be a key focus as well.”

Brady said he expects a $100,000 project to get rid of asbestos floor tiles in 10 classrooms at J.W. Leary Junior High should wrap up shortly before classes start.

“The district is also in the process of updating its Building Condition Survey and Five Year Plan, which will inform future projects,” Brady said.

As of Aug. 24, 2,771 students were enrolled in the Massena district, but that could change, the superintendent said.

“We tend to have students moving in or out of district during the August-September period,” according to Brady. “It is not clear how many will be present on the first day of school this year but it will likely be less due to a smaller incoming freshman class at the high school with 189 students, while last year's graduating class held 227 students.”

He said the three elementary schools and junior high appear to have stable enrollment numbers.

He noted that 2,885 students were enrolled on the first day of school last year.

This year will see several new teachers and administrators. They include Jefferson Elementary fourth grade teacher Cassondra Barney, high school principal Sarah Boyce, high school science teachers Bill Jaggers and Todd Kimble, junior high nurse Judy Gilman, Nightengale third grade teacher Brandy Henning, Nightengale fourth grade teacher Katie Romeo and junior high science teacher Elizabeth White.

Sept. 3 is Massena’s first day of classes. Teachers will return for staff development on Sept. 1 and 2.

New Pool & Auditorium

Students returning to Ogdensburg will be able to swim in a new pool and perform in a new auditorium, Superintendent of Schools Timothy Vernsey said.

The new facilities are part of phases four and five of the district’s $57 million capital project.

Returning students will also be able to use new gymnasiums and boys’ and girls’ locker rooms.

Due to retirements, there is a long list of new faculty.

They include elementary art teacher Leigh Chapman, 7-12 music teacher Sara Pabis, Kennedy Elementary counselor Jacquelyn McNichol, 7-12 music teacher Richard Patton, Kennedy kindergarten teacher Kira Hammond, Kennedy sixth grade teacher Kate Spriggs, OFA nurse Cheri Whitton, Kennedy third grade teacher Justin Fishel, OFA ISS teaching assistant Zachary Dodge, OFA 7-8 teaching assistants Jamie Barkley and Angela Drumm, Kennedy teaching assistants Brain Briggs, Mary Ouderkirk, Melanie Williams and Melissa Willis and Madill teaching assistant Jessica O’Grady.

Vernsey said their enrollment of 1,750 is up slightly from last year.

“This is not a significant change but does indicate steady enrollment,” Vernsey said, noting that they had to add a kindergarten class because registration at that grade level is up.

The Ogdensburg school chief said students around the area will be able to take OFA advanced placement courses online. This includes AP English, chemistry, physics and social studies, Vernsey said.

Students return to school in Ogdensburg Sept. 3. Faculty and staff will be in the buildings Sept. 1 and 2 for staff development, Vernsey said.

More School Time For Homework

At Morristown Central, Superintendent of Schools Doug McQueer said students will get an extra half hour of school time to do homework and get extra help. He also noted that this year will have more students than ever using distance learning to earn college credit.

The teachers’ contract ratified on Aug. 26 makes the school day start 10 minutes earlier and gives an extra 20-minute activity period at the end of the day.

“This will help student achievement and understanding,” McQueer said.

McQueer said their enrollment in distance learning for college credit has increased exponentially.

“This number of students has gone from two last year to 20 this year,” according to McQueer.

Their overall enrollment is down, he said.

“Our projected enrollment is 312, which is about 10 less students then last year,” McQueer said.

When asked to what he attributes the drop, he said he wasn’t sure, but “it may be that people are moving out of the area for employment.”

The district will add a new in-house class, ceramics, which the district head says they haven’t offered in a few years.

Morristown has several new hires this year, including Earth science and physics teacher Kristen Armstrong, instrumental music teacher Jessica Bogart, Spanish teacher Chelsea Cutway, kindergarten teacher Melissa Lovely and pre-kindergarten teacher Melanie Williams. Some teachers are moving to new positions.

Nicki O’Donnell is moving to high school AIS from elementary AIS. Beverly LaPiene is mobing to elementary AIS from kindergarten. Josie Cole is moving from sixth grade to kindergarten, McQueer said.

He says the district did a “mini project” in June that replaced lighting in the gym, locker rooms and both band rooms. He says they are planning a major renovation project, which he hopes will start next year.

Students will return to school Sept. 3. Teachers come back Aug. 26 with full staff on the job Sept. 1.

“I am looking forward to the start of the new school year,” McQueer said. “There have been several changes, which I hope will increase the quality of education at Morristown Central School.”

Search for Superintendent

Madrid-Waddington Central School begins the year in search of a new superintendent due to the impending retirement of current Superintendent Lynn Roy.

“The custodial team has worked diligently over the summer to prepare the buildings, grounds and facilities,” Roy said.

Bids for a $3.9 million capital project were accepted by the Board of Education and work will begin soon on rubber mulch for the elementary playground, new boilers, increased security for both elementary and high school entrances, track and parking lot renovations.

At the elementary level, Madrid-Waddington Central is adding a third session of Universal Pre-Kindergarten.

At the high school, there will be an extra period, held on alternating days for Common Core geometry and algebra.

New faculty includes UPK/elementary teacher Meghan McGee, special education elementary teacher Katie Jo Thomas, teaching assistant Shaina MacIntosh, social studies teacher Kristopher Boettcher, teaching assistant Lisa Kitzman, literacy specialist Meghann Lyon, third grade teacher Shannon Shannon, K-12 instructional technology assistant Kevin Marcinko, chemisty and high school science teacher Bryan Huntley and middle school science teacher Michael Frohm. The school plans to hire a K-5 physical education teacher.

“Due to the purchase of a transportation routing system, more efficient bus routes have resulted,” Roy said. “Students may see a different driver and/or students on routes.”

The district will implement an instant messenger system called “One Call Now” allowing staff and parents to receive school updates via email, phone or text message.

Projected enrollment is 711, one more student than last year.