Schools Prepare for A Moving Transition

Simply moving one family from one house to another can send blood pressure rates soaring.

Now imagine moving students, staff and supplies from every school in the district into a new one.

That is what the Grafton school system is facing this spring and summer, as it prepares for a new, and very different, school year starting in September.

During two weeks in July, boxes filled with items will move from one building to another. This transition has been worked on by school buildings and grounds director Anthony LeMay.

But well before that, the staff has been working to reduce anxiety and alleviate fears about the changes, Superintendent of Schools Jay Cummings told the School Committee Monday night.

He has developed a number of approaches to ease the transition. Some of the key portions of the plan include:

Letting students know early, possibly as soon as the end of next week, who their teachers will be next year. That will allow them to reach out to their new teachers far sooner than usual and will take one traditional end-of-school-year worry off their plates, he said.

Holding open houses throughout the summer, rather than waiting for the days immediately before the start of school.

Placing an emphasis on communication. Times and schedules will be shared, Web sites and newsletters will focus on the transition, and a student-created newspaper will be distributed to all Grafton households, he said.

Making sure teachers are well-informed, have input into the process and receive support before and during the moves. This will allow them in turn to support and educate the students, he said.

“We’re making sure the whole process is well thought-out and set,’’ he said.

He also encouraged parents and others in the community to reach out to him with concerns and thoughts. “Now is the time,’’ he said.

The new school organization and names will be as follows:

Two schools for pre-K, kindergarten and grade one students at the current and They will remain known as North and South Grafton elementary schools.

Grades 2-6 in two schools, the current and They will be known as Millbury Street and North Street elementary schools.

Grades 7 and 8 at the current Grafton High School, which will be known as Grafton Middle School.

Grades 9-12 at the new Grafton High School.