Delayed Opening Goes Smoothly At SRCS

FORT COVINGTON - After a two-day postponement due to final work on its building project, Salmon River Central School finally opened Thursday morning to students in grades 7 through 12 and witnessed a smooth first day.

Although students and teachers reported at the regular time, the school operated on a one-hour delay to allow for an opening assembly to discuss the location and numbers of new classrooms that were added to the campus during the building project, along with other first-day information and procedures.

"Things went surprisingly smooth," Principal Angela Robert said. "I was very pleased. The kids seemed glad to be back. They're excited about the new rooms. The afternoon went just as smooth as the morning."

Part of the project included additions and renovations to the high school wing, and Ms. Robert said students needed to know where their classes would be, as some found themselves in unfamiliar territory.

Among the new faces and new places on the first day was newly appointed Assistant Principal Alison Benedict, who said her first day on the job was a good one.

"We had a great turnout this morning," she said, noting students were guided around new sections of the building. "I thought it went really well... . All in all, it was a really great day."

While the elementary returned to school a day earlier on Wednesday, Elementary Principal Kevin Walbridge said the first day went well and it will be a big year, as the district prepares for the opening of a new middle school for the 2011-2012 school year.

"This year will be a transition year," he said, noting fifth and sixth grades will become part of the middle school next year. "We're trying to get ready for that."

Superintendent Jane Collins praised the administrative team for bringing the students back and getting them back to a routine despite a late start to the school year.

"The administration handled things really well," she said, adding that the opening assembly was good for students. "It was effective. They (students) needed to be there because so many changes have occurred and a lot of teachers moved."

District ombudsman Kim Russell, who helps parents and students find services they need as part of her duties, said she spent the day helping students get around school and to their classes.

"It was a good first day," she said, adding she came across some new seventh graders with "deer in the headlights" looks on their faces. "You just ask them, 'What are you looking for?' I'm just trying to be visible and get them where they need to be.'"

Even sixth-grader Sadie Adams said she is glad to be back and enjoys her classes this year.

"I liked it a lot," she said of her first day. "I like my teachers a lot, and I like sixth grade a lot."