Published in the September 7, 2016 edition
INCOMING fifth-graders (from left): Sachelle Sterlin, Bianca Marano and Laci Robbins enjoyed each other’s company along with their ice cream sundaes during the traditional first day of school party held to welcome the newest students to the middle school. LMS currently has the highest enrollment among the four schools with 702 students. (Maureen Doherty Photo)
By DAN TOMASELLO
LYNNFIELD — Summer is in the rearview mirror and the school year is underway.
All four Lynnfield schools opened their doors for the 2016-2017 school year for students in grades 1-12 on Wednesday, Aug. 31. Preschoolers and kindergartners had their first day of school on Friday, Sept. 2. Superintendent of Schools Jane Tremblay said all four of the town’s schools opened smoothly.
“It was awesome,” said Tremblay in a phone interview with the Villager. “The opening of school went very smoothly. I have never seen so many happy students and teachers. The teachers are well rested and ready for the school year.”
According to enrollment figures released by the school department, there are 2,170 students enrolled in the school system as of Sept. 2. The school department’s enrollment represents a decrease of eight students from last September’s total of 2,178 students.
The data revealed Lynnfield Middle School has the highest enrollment of the town’s four schools with 702 students enrolled in grades 5-8. There were 694 students enrolled at the middle school last September.
Tremblay said fifth graders felt right at home at LMS on Aug. 31 and enjoyed the annual ice cream social immensely.
“The fifth graders looked like they were very comfortable in their new school,” said Tremblay.
Lynnfield High School has the second highest enrollment of the town’s four schools with 631 students enrolled. The high school’s enrollment is 14 fewer students than last September’s total of 645 students.
Summer Street School had the third highest enrollment figure with 424 students hitting the books, which is 12 fewer students than last September’s total of 436 students.
Huckleberry Hill School has 413 students enrolled as of Sept. 2, which are 10 more students than the 403 students enrolled last September.
The school department has welcomed 15 new faculty members, including new High School Assistant Principal Brian Bates and Middle School Assistant Principal Tom Sallee. The elementary schools have welcomed 10 new faculty members this year. The middle school has welcomed two new faculty members in addition to Sallee. The high school has welcomed one new teacher in addition to Bates.
Tremblay visited all four of the town’s schools along with Teaching and Learning Director Kevin Cyr, Police Chief David Breen and school resource officer Patrick Curran. She said she is looking forward to getting the school year rolling.
“There is a lot of positive energy in the district,” said Tremblay. “It was an incredibly busy few days but everything went very smooth.”
