Medfield Principals Report on Opening Day, Attendance Up at Lower Grades

Four of five Medfield Public Schools principals gave the School Committee an update on the first day, enrollment trends and other information on Monday.

Memorial Elementary School: Interim Principal Edward Quigley reported that enrollment at the K-1 school was 314 on opening day, 15 more than anticipated last school year. The school now has 156 Kindergarten students, broken into 1 full-day class and seven half-day classes. It has 158 students in first grade, also divided into eight classes. The average class size for both Kindergarten and first grade is 20. The first day went smoothly, he said. "Memorial School is off to a terrific start."

Ralph Wheelock School: Principal Donna Olson reported the school for grades 2-3 had 366 children on the first day, with 189 at third grade and 177 at second grade. The first day ended with an all-hands assembly to welcome the students. A parent information night was held on Sept. 12. New this year at Wheelock: world languages. Students can select either Mandarin or Spanish.

Thomas A. Blake Middle School: The themes this year at the middle school are creativity and perseverance, and will be worked into the curriculum throughout the year, said Principal Nathaniel Vaughn. The principal reported that one technology initiative, requiring an iPad for all eighth graders, is going well. "I'm very pleased with how it's going." He also announced that the school would have a two-night session for parents on internet safety, including how to safeguard children on social media. The event is scheduled on Sept. 26 and Oct. 1 at 7 p.m. each night. More information is now available on the school's website.

Amos Clark Kingsbury High School: Principal Robert Parga reported the school opened with 881 students. On opening day for freshmen, more than 100 seniors volunteered to serve as ambassadors, helping them to acclimate to the new school, even though the school only needed 40 ambassadors, he reported. The point of the orientation was to give freshmen some opportunity to ask questions of the upperclassmen: "This is what I wish I knew when I was a freshman." Summer reading had been reintroduced this year, he said, but this time, students were allowed to pick a book from a list selected by teachers. The list included science fiction, sports, cooking, and fiction. On the first day, freshmen had a book discussion by room. The high school BYOD initiative, which requires a portable device for all freshmen, was to begin on Tuesday, he said. Teachers have had several opportunities for training, he said, and are ready.