The Berlin
Cit itiz ize en
Volume 15, Number 34
Berlin’s Only Hometown Newspaper
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Welcome back — teachers get ready for a great year
(The Berlin Citizen visited Berlin public schools and St. Paul Catholic School last week to ask teachers how they were preparing for Aug. 31, the first day with students, and how they were feeling about the new school year. Here’s what they told us.)
Jessica DeLaura, Spanish teacher, Berlin High School This is my fifth year at Berlin High. We’re looking at new resources such as text books and integrating technology more. The first day — it’s the unknown, seeing students and getting the classroom ready. This year, I’ll be co-advisor to the class of 2012.
Katie Cormier, special education department head, Berlin High School I’m really excited. This is my eighth year at Berlin high. We’re starting new support services and working with a lot of different students. We’re really going to do some neat things this year. I still don’t sleep the night before — students don’t realize teachers are just as nervous as they are. It’s my favorite day. You get a little anxious, but it’s exciting.
Craig Rogers, tech ed teacher, McGee Middle School It’s a fresh start with fresh paint. Students will be quiet the first week and that’s a good time to lay down expectations. It’s a good start to the year. Paul Griswold, tech ed teacher, McGee Middle School I’m looking forward to seeing what the building looks like after the renovations are done.
Allie Dunn, pre-school director and pre-K teacher, St. Paul Catholic School It’s great seeing new faces, especially with the four year-olds. They’re a little bit tentative but by the end of the day they have this big smile. Diana Oppel, pre-K teacher, St. Paul Catholic School It’s my first year and a new school and a new classroom. I have butterflies of emotion. I look forward to working with the staff and meeting the parents and children.
While the back-toschool countdown is underway for students, parents and schools, this calendar at Willard Elementary School has jumped ahead already.
Betty Stephenson, reading consultant, Willard Elementary school There’s a lot to do in the summer, training in new remedial materials and meeting with new teachers. As for students, we’ll see what shape they’re in at the end of the summer, do an asessment and then off we go! More Back to School Teachers on page 4
Inside School Bus Schedules inside
Calendar ............9 Marketplace .....30 Faith .................10 Obituaries .........11 Opinion.............12 Real Estate ......25 Seniors.............26 Sports...............23