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Clarksburg, Savoy, and Florida Schools To Open This WeekBy Jen Thomas - August 29, 2007
Balking the traditional post-Labor Day opening, schools in Clarksburg, Savoy and the town of Florida are getting an early start this year.
Gabriel Abbott Memorial School in Florida will start classes today, while Savoy and Clarksburg elementary schools will begin on Thursday.
Gabriel Abbott Principal Gregory D. Betti said students should expect some key changes at the elementary school this year.
"We've got all kinds of new stuff. There are lots of changes going on at our school," he said.
In addition to a new fifth-grade teacher - Xavier Tondeur of Amherst is replacing Heidi Dugal, who is the new principal at Savoy Elementary School - Gabriel Abbott will welcome a new Spanish teacher, a new preschool teacher, and a new cook and assistant chef.
Betti said many of the new teachers are recent college graduates with fresh ideas.
"Of course, we'll miss the teachers that left, but we hope to bring in new talents and new activities for students," Betti said. "They're young and they have a lot of energy so I hope they have new and exciting ideas."
Introducing new teachers to a small school of only 104 students poses a set of interesting challenges.
"It's such a personal school. Our new teachers will have to get to know all the students," said Betti.
Serving students from Florida and some from Monroe, Gabriel Abbott wants to continue following a formula school officials say works.
"We're looking forward to a really good school year. We're excited about what we're doing and we hope to keep building on that. We want our new teachers to continue many programs that older teachers left behind and expand on new ones that they bring to the table," said Betti.
In contrast to Gabriel Abbott, Clarksburg School doesn't have huge changes this year, but Principal Karen Gallese said she plans to keep doing what works.
"We're a small school with small classes and a strong sense of community," Gallese said. "Most of our teachers have been here for awhile; it's a great place to work."
Clarksburg Elementary has 17 teachers and support staff, including a new art teacher and a new Spanish teacher said Gallese.
"We're looking forward to seeing the kids again on Thursday and we're excited to see new perspectives," said Gallese.
Jen Thomas can be reached at jthomas@iberkshires.com or at (413) 663-3384, Ext. 23.
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