New Playground Equipment, New Staff at Milton Ave.

Students and families at (MAS) will be sure to notice improvements to the facilities when they return to school Thursday.

"We've been very busy over the summer," Principal Marion McCarthy said. "We've had classes and offices painted, we had a mural painted in the front hall instead of a banner hanging."

In the school's gymnasium, which is used for school assemblies and as a voting area at elections, the floor was stripped down to its original maple wood, refinished and repainted.

"Over years and years, they've come in and finished it off every summer. Now it's just reached the point where they have to take everything off and start fresh," McCarthy said.

The school also replaced the old playground equipment with new jungle gyms, and new basketball poles and backboards put in.

New Faculty at MAS

As part of the district's budget for the 2012-13 school year, MAS was able to hire a new basic skills instructor this year.

"We're excited," McCarthy said. "While our BSI [basic skills instruction] teachers work with all grade levels, our target is first grade. We really want to identify those students who need a little extra help, and make sure they get it."

Caitlyn Jackson will also join the faculty at MAS. "She's going to be a kindergarten co-teacher-slash-parent in the mornings," McCarthy said.

Jackson will also work as a paraprofessional, as will Sandy Hoffer and Ariel Morrison. They will replace Nancy Fetter and Jennifer Gates, who both resigned in June, and Helen McCutheon, who resigned in July.

Back to School

Classes start for first, second and third grade at 8:35 a.m. Thursday, and McCarthy said she will continue her annual tradition of reading a book to the entire school on the first day.

Kindergartners begin Thursday, Sept. 14.

The New Family Coffee is scheduled for 8:45 a.m. Friday. The New Family Picnic is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 17.

Back to School Night will be at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 8.