Smooth Start to New School Year, Commack Admin Say

Students returned to the Commack School District this week with a smooth start to the 2013-14 school year, district administrators said Thursday at Board of Education meeting.

“It was as smooth and calm of an opening as I’ve ever seen,” Superintendent Donald James remarked.

There were some hiccups in the days leading up to the start of school including power outages in two buildings the day before a Superintendent’s Conference was supposed to take place and a phone outage one the line that manages the school’s security systems. However, the issues were resolved before the conference.

“You saw that positive energy, parents taking pictures all over the place. The schools were absolutely meticulous. When you walked into the school, you saw the magical touches all over,” Adele Pecora-Dusanenko, assistant superintendent for education, said.

She added that attendance had been at 99 percent all week.

New to the district this year are two more classes at the high school including a Python computer science class and a standard level chemistry for students who want to continue their science studies, but don’t wish to pursue it as a career. 

Common Core curriculum is being implemented, as well this year.

A science research lab at the high school has been expanded, and building updates including new transformers, chillers and boilers have been replaced within the schools that needed them. A building management system has also been installed at Hubbs Administration Center. 

Administrators stated that the district is continuing its security assessment and will have a presentation for the public once the second phase of the process is complete.