PARIS — Building community among new staff, implementing new programs and making sure students are academic achievers are some of the goals principals mentioned to the SAD 17 board of directors Tuesday night.

A total of 3,422 students from prekindergarten to grade 12 returned to the classroom last week.

“It’s great to be back,” Oxford and Otisfield elementary schools Principal Tiffany Karnes said.

She was one of eight principals who talked about the highlights of the opening of school.

At the Hebron Station School, Principal Melanie Ellsworth said there are 13 children in the new preschool program.

“There were no tears. They even learned to walk in a line, which is quite an accomplishment,” she said.

Although there was a lack of seating in the lunchroom, some sixth-grade students quickly gave up their seats and helped the 4-year-olds, she said.

“They got to step up and be leaders in our school,” she said. There were 144 students enrolled on the first day.

At Paris Elementary School, Principal Jane Fahey said there were nearly 100 students who attended two summer programs.

This year, there are 14 new staff members who are being mentored by senior staff, Fahey said, and a new special needs program which brings students formerly housed in Rowe Elementary School in Norway back to their community school.

“Now we’re complete,” she said.

There are 436 students enrolled at the school.

At Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School in Paris, Principal Ted Moccia welcomed 1,084 students to classes last week. He told the board there are several major initiatives this year, including working on implementing future state-mandated proficiency-based diplomas and introducing a culture that encourages students and staff to feel a part of the process.

At Waterford and Harrison elementary schools, Principal Margaret Emery said new programs such as a writing club, a new team teaching approach and monthly assemblies for parents will help build collaboration and promote education.

A total of 116 students are enrolled at Waterford Elementary School and 135 at Harrison Elementary School.

Oxford Hills Middle School Principal Troy Eastman said computers, buses, schedules and secretaries were key to the successful start of the new school year. A total of 490 students were enrolled for the first day of classes.

“There are happy kids everywhere,” he said. “If you can’t walk down the hallway and not smile, then something is wrong.”

Karnes said there are 16 new staff members at Oxford Elementary School and initiatives to build community among the staff were immediately undertaken before classes began.

Interventions for some students are already up and running and new dismissal procedures have been implemented at Oxford Elementary School to ensure the safety of all children leaving the building.

There are 71 students enrolled at Otisfield Elementary School and 372 students at Oxford Elementary School.

Beth Clark, the interim principal at Agnes Gray School in West Paris, said there are 107 students enrolled this year.

Rowe Elementary School Principal Daniel Hart said his goal is to create a school community which will include student achievement and staff collaboration. Like Oxford Elementary School, the Rowe school in Norway is also looking at enhancing safety in its dismissal procedures for its 467 students.

Superintendent Rick Colpitts said Paris Elementary School is nearing capacity in its classrooms.

“Paris is pretty tight and pretty full to the brim,” he said.

Hebron Station School and Oxford Hills Middle School are also reaching their classroom capacity. The rest of the elementary schools average 18 students per classroom, he said.

ldixon@sunjournal.com

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