Published: September 07, 2008 12:21 am      

EDUCATION: Local schools have a smooth start to 2008-09 year, districts say

LOCKPORT — BY JOE OLENICK

olenickj@gnnewspaper.com

Eastern Niagara County schools got off to a good start, officials said, and they are looking forward to a great school year.

Most students went back to school Sept. 3 — all except for Royalton-Hartland. Roy-Hart students started the new school year a day earlier Sept. 2.

One of the faster starts to the year belonged to Lockport High School. The school eliminated homeroom by extending first period in an effort to cut down on tardiness. Students arrived at 7:40 a.m. and went to their first class, but listened to announcements before the rest of their day went on. Principal Frank Movalli was pleased with week one.

“It went well, students were focused and got back in the swing of things,” he said.

Lockport physical education teachers are being trained to use the school’s new rock-climbing wall, which will be part of the school’s physical education program this year. The 25-foot-high wall is next to the school’s tennis courts, and was purchased this year with federal grant money.

Lockport Superintendent Terry Ann Carbone said opening week went very well but it was a busy time. With a number of construction projects on hand, Lockport was in a race to have buildings ready for the opening of school.

“It was down to the wire,”

Carbone said.

A big glitch in the district is the closing of the high school pool. The badly damaged roof posed a potential safety issue, and the district chose to have it replaced. Carbone said the pool is on track to be opened in November, but until then, the girls swim teams will have their home meets in Newfane.

Newfane had its own concerns about opening on time, with its capital project. The bulk of the work was done in the middle school, and the project is still under budget. Superintendent Gary Pogorzelski used one word to describe the start of the school year in Newfane: “Fantastic.”

“We’re especially happy we opened on time.” Pogorzelski said.

In the Barker School District, Superintendent Roger Klatt said the school year was off to a good start with no complaints. The district didn’t have any changes in physical appearance, but did see a slight increase in the number of incoming students.

“Everything’s been great this week,” he said. “The kids came all excited and we were ready for them. It was a smooth opening.”

At Starpoint, Superintendent C. Douglas Whelan said starting the year off right is the district’s main concern. Like Newfane and Lockport, Starpoint had construction projects still continuing while students returned. But the work is isolated from the students.

Wilson also has construction work going on with the middle and high school library, as well as some work on school entrances. But as for starting the year, superintendent Michael Wendt said if any minor glitches happen, its just normal for the first week of school. The important thing is to answer questions parents have and find consistency for students as they buckle down for the school year.

“We’re off and running and looking forward to a great year,” Wendt said.

Contact reporter Joe Olenick

at 439-9222, ext. 6241.