Dist. 62 to open school year with new look classrooms

Seeing friends, meeting new teachers and classmates and finding classrooms are a few of the activities that school District 62 students will encounter on Monday, Aug. 22, the first day of the 2011-2012 school year.

Students in renovated District 62 schools will find classrooms brightened with new lighting, paint, floor coverings and better HVAC systems as part of the Master Plan.

Durham School Services will begin providing transportation services to general education students, while Septran will transport special needs students.

More than 4,700 students in grades one-eight will attend a half-day of classes. Grades six-eight will dismiss at 11:15 a.m., and grades one-five will dismiss at noon.

Prekindergarten and kindergarten students are expected to begin their school year on Monday, Aug. 29.

Across the district, welcome back institutes and assemblies will introduce new teachers, staff, and students. New principal Ray Ruiz will greet Plainfield Elementary School students. Rene Carranza, former Plainfield principal, will welcome Orchard Place students. This week, teacher leaders are participating in workshops. New teachers began orientation training Thursday, Aug. 11, and returning teachers start Thursday, Aug. 18.

Parents and students are sad to say goodbye to summer, but they all agree that it is nice to get back to school.