MomTalk Talks Back to School: Boo-hoo or Woo-hoo?

When Wakefield public schools opened their doors just over a week ago, were you crying tears of joy or sadness? MomTalk tackes the subject of heading back to school.

Regina Martine I am much more “WOOO-HOOOOO!!!” than “boo hoo” about school starting. It has been a long, long summer. Back in June, when it was time to sign up for summer camps and classes, my kids were so overwhelmed with the end-of–the–year activity crunch that I could barely get them to look at a brochure for summer programs. I told them that after a few weeks they would be pretty bored and they would wish they had signed up for something. My two younger kids eventually chose a few one-week classes through the Rec department, but for the most part, we left the summer wide open. I was pretty frazzled at the end of the year, too, so the idea of long, unstructured days of the kids playing outside and trips to the beach sounded pretty …

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Tasha Schlake Festel

8:34 am on Saturday, September 15, 2012

I will teach you, young Jedi. :)   more ›

You Tell Us: Memorable First School Days?

Take a trip down memory lane.

  Area students are gearing up to head back to school. So we thought it would be fun to ask what your memorable first school days were? First day of high school? First day of seventh grade? What made first school days memorable then? The smell of the air becoming crisp? Your new school clothes? Seeing all your friends and other kids you haven't seen? Meeting your new teachers and comparing class schedules with friends? And of course, we'd love to read some some funny anecdotes you'd like to share. Tell us your stories in the comments below.

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Five Mass. School Bus Laws You Might Not Have Known

School's almost back in session, but were you aware of these state laws on school buses?

  Most Wakefield students know the "Rules of the Bus," but here are a few Massachusetts' state laws about school buses you might not have known. #1. Everyone knows to stop when a school bus is loading and unloading passengers, but what you may not know is that if you don’t stop, you could get a ticket of up to $250. That fine can go up to $2,000 and a suspended license of up to a year for subsequent offenses (MGL 90-14) #2. Oh, speaking of stopping behind a stopped bus, even fire trucks, police cars and ambulances with their sirens on have to stop until the passengers have been loaded or unloaded. (MGL 89-7B) #3.  Tell your kids to sit down, because bus drivers can be fined up to $500 if they drive the bus when the kids aren’t sitting down…

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Pioneer Charter School of Science Proposes Network of Three New Schools

This Everett-based charter school has filed an application to create three new schools, one of which would serve Wakefield students.

The Pioneer Charter School of Science (PCSS) in Everett recently filed applications with the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) to open three new charter public schools, one of which would serve Wakefield students, according to a press statement. In an email to Melrose Patch, PCSS spokesperson Katie Fryman said a location for the school to serve students in and around that town has yet to be determined and won't be until the school receives state approval. "Charters either lease or buy an existing facility (there is no school building assistance from the state)," Fryman wrote. "The location is unknown because you can't get a facility until a charter is approved."  The new schools, if approved by the state, would …

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Wakefield Selects New Interim Superintendent

Dr. Garry Murphy will start in Wakefield on August 1st pending contract negotiations.

A retired superintendent with school construction, mentoring, and curriculum development experience has been selected to lead Wakefield Public Schools for the next year, according to a vote by the School Committee last week.  Dr. Garry Murphy, of Lowell, MA, was the first choice of the School Committee out of three finalists for the interim superintendent position. Pending contract negotiations, Dr. Murphy would start in Wakefield on Aug. 1. But before the selection is final, the School Committee must still negotiate Dr. Murphy's year-long contract. That negotiation and subsequent vote will take place on Tuesday, July 24. According to Murphy's resume that was submitted to the School Committee, he has 13 years of experience as a school …

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Back to School Special: What's New at Wakefield Memorial High School

What you should know heading into the 2011-2012 school year, and a special welcome message from Principal Kim Smith.

As we head into the start of another school year, Wakefield Patch caught up with the principals of each school in town to ask about any changes implemented over the summer. Principal Kim Smith of Wakefield High School shared what to expect when students walk in the door for the 2011-2012 school year. Physical Improvements Over the summer, the high school's lighting system received an upgrade, thanks to an energy conservation grant. "We've replaced most lights in the building to a new type of light, so it casts a nice soft light instead of a yarsh yellow light," said Prinicpal Kim Smith. "I think the students will notice and appreciate the change." Practical Information Parents should return free and reduced lunch applications even if they …

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Back to School Special: What's New at the Woodville School

What changed over the summer, and a special welcome message from Principal McNamee.

As we head into the start of another school year, Wakefield Patch caught up with the principals of each school in town to ask about any changes implemented over the summer. Principal Marie McNamee of the Woodville School shared what to expect when students walk in the door for the 2011-2012 school year. New Principal The biggest change to come to the Woodville School this fall is a change in the school's leadership, as Wakefield welcomes Principal Marie McNamee to the school system. However, don't expect many procedures or traditions to change. "I've given a lot of thought to a change in leadership, and I felt the best course of action to take was to not change or disrupt too much," said Principal McNamee. "Change is hard, and I don't want…

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Back to School Special: What's New at the Walton School

What changed over the summer, and a special welcome message from Principal Margo Periello.

As we head into the start of another school year, Wakefield Patch caught up with the principals of each school in town to ask about any changes implemented over the summer. Principal Margo Perriello of the Walton School shared what to expect when students walk in the door for the 2011-2012 school year. Beautification Over the summer, the Walton School got a little bit of a facelift. "The halls and the bathrooms have been freshly painted, and we have a parent, Maryanne Brennan, who is also an artist, and she painted all the brown cabinets in the halls and is paining murals on the doors, too," said Principal Perriello. The school also installed last year's 4th grade gift, an electronic picture frame. The 19" frame was mounted in the front …

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Sara Jacobi

12:07 pm on Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Oh thanks for catching that! Will update the story.   more ›

The Parent Yap

Back to School: A Parent's Most Wonderful Time of the Year?

Who ends up with more back to school anxiety - you, or your kids? What's your best strategy preparation strategy?

Tasha Schlake Festel I am probably in the minority, but for the first time in the 5 years since I’ve had children going to school, I am truly dreading September 6, 2011. I don’t want the summer to end. I don’t want to be away from my kids 5 days a week for hours and hours. I don’t want to be the mother of a kindergartner and second grader. I think this year my kids even have mixed feelings about going back. Sure, they’re excited, but we’ve had a darn good summer and we all still like each other. We’re not done doing everything we want to do. We have weeks’ worth of activities planned in our heads, but only a few days left to do them. <sigh> In order to get myself psyched up for the return of school and the draining and unforgiving routine …

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Melissa Schools

9:51 am on Thursday, August 25, 2011

I'm sad to lose summer! I resist schedules, sometimes to my peril. Mostly, I dread the start up of all the activities & running around. Yes, the kids still drive me crazy sometimes, but they do that during the school year, too. I'll miss the breathing room of summer vacation. Sigh.   more ›