Lakeland School District Welcomes Students

The new school year in the Lakeland School District began on Thursday, September 2, and welcomed new and returning students, as well as new and familiar faces to their positions.

The District also prepared its buildings and grounds through an annual summer cleaning in time for the start of school. The work included painting of rooms, cleaning of classrooms and polishing of floors. In three of the elementary schools- Lincoln-Titus, Thomas Jefferson and George Washington, lighting has replaced the old lights in all-purpose rooms and the gymnasiums, to brighten the areas and save energy, according to the District. 

Through the District's annual computer replacement program, new computers at the middle school were placed, and Smart Boards were installed in various classrooms across the district. 

For the first time, the district will use conferencing equipment to run a distance learning course between Lakeland High School and Walter Panas High School in Spanish V. Despite the low enrollment, the course has not been cancelled. 

In addition through the technology, which started being used in the 2009-2010 school year, teachers will be able to make global connections with schools throughout the world. They could also provide virtual trips from a places, including museums, zoos and science centers, according to the District. 

Another accomplishment for the District is Copper Beech Middle School receiving the designation as the School to Watch for the first time. According to the district, it is a "prestigious honor that recognizes the efforts the school has put into improving the educational program."

Schools to Watch was launched in 1999 by the National Forum to Accelerate Middle-Grades Reform and it identifies schools across the country that are "on their way to meeting the Forum's criteria for high performance."

"I applaud the work of the talented educators recognized by the Schools to Watch® program who work tirelessly to provide an environment for their students where they will not only succeed academically, but also prepares them for success in high school and beyond," said in a statement Deborah Kasak, executive director, national Forum to Accelerate Middle Grades Reform.

Administration positions:

Superintendent Dr. George Stone replaced Kenneth Connolly who retired this year.

Jean Miccio, became the Assistant Superintendent of Instruction, after moving from her position as a principal at the Copper Beech Middle School. She is replacing Dr. Lois Favre, who accepted a job as the Superintendent of a Long Island school district. 

LCBMS Assistant Principals Frank Yanoti and Vanessa DeFonce will fill Miccio's position at the middle school for the 2010-2011 school year. 

Jamal Lewis, Van Cortlandtville Assistant Prinicpal, is moving to the middle school as a seventh grade assistant principal for the school year. 

Fifth grade teacher Robert Bergmann will take on the responsibilities as interim assistant principal at the VCES for the year.