School opened for students in many area districts Wednesday. The remainder will open today.
Among those that started classes Wednesday was Unatego Central School. The district is going through a transitional year as the two elementary schools have been reconfigured in the face of declining enrollments and a budget shortfall. Otego and Unadilla had previously each had classes for students in grades K-5.
Starting this year, Otego will serve students in grades kindergarten through second grade and Unadilla will hold classes for grades 3-5.
Students in grades 6-12 will continue to attend the junior and senior high school. The plan involved additional busing for students between the two elementary schools.
Students and staff said the first day went well.
"It's a learning experience for everyone, but everybody has done a great job," Otego Principal Tim Ryan said. Everything went well, although it took a little longer than expected to shuttle students. "There was a lot of preparation and some opening day jitters for students and staff," he said, "but after the first few hours, it's going great."
Several second-graders agreed, including two who live in the Otego area. Kylie Mussaw said she had a really good summer, but "I really love school." Her favorite subject is art, she said, and she is looking forward to making new friends with the new students. Anna Delberta said it's been a good summer, but she was looking forward to the first day and wearing her new clothes. She has already made some new friends, she said.
Lily Gagliardo was among those who were shuttled from Unadilla.
"I felt a little different" having to get on the bus, but it went well, she said, adding that she was looking forward to coming to school and using the playground. She said she likes being with some new students and likes the teachers.
Lunchroom aid Debra Klein was among staff members who said the change was going well.
Everybody is getting back into a routine, she said, but the transition has been smooth.
Superintendent Charles Molloy said credit for such a smooth transition should go to staff including transportation supervisor Brian Trask.
About 120 students had to be shuttled between the two schools. There are about 220 students in each building.
Other schools also reported a successful first day.
At Sidney Central School Superintendent Bill Christensen said, "it was a great opening" unaffected by a construction project nearing completion.
The year began at Stamford Central School with a new superintendent, Katy Graves.
"It was a good start," she said. For four years previously she was assistant superintendent at Windham-Ashland-Jewett Central School. Before that she was principal at Otego Elementary.
She has lived in the Stamford community for 40 years.
"It feels like coming home," she said. "Everybody has been very welcoming."
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School year starts for some at new locations
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