RSU 73 students, staff off to a good start, principals say

LIVERMORE FALLS — Principals in Regional School Unit 73 reported a smooth start on the first day of classes Tuesday.

“It’s been a nice and calm day,” Jay Elementary School Principal Chris Hollingsworth said.

One boy mistakenly got off the bus at Livermore Elementary School in the morning and was immediately brought to the Jay school, he said. Staff were making sure children boarded the right buses as the day ended.

There are 32 children enrolled in prekindergarten program operated by Community Concepts, Hollingsworth said.

At Spruce Mountain Middle School in Jay, Principal Scott Albert said students were quiet as usual on the first day.

“I’m sure a lot of kids didn’t go to bed early,” he said.

There are about 375 sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders, along with several new staff members.

Informational sessions are planned at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 3, and Monday, Sept. 8, on proper use of school laptops that sixth-graders will take home. The Franklin County Children’s Task Force will also provide information on bullying and predators who can access laptops, cellphones and other electronic devices.

Spruce Mountain High School Principal T.J. Plourde said the first day of classes was very different from last year when all high school students from Jay, Livermore and Livermore Falls attended classes in the same building.

“Today’s a normal day,” he said.

Kaitlyn Castaneda, Emily Keene and Samantha Richards were studying in the cafeteria and said they were thrilled to be seniors.

“We are so ready,” one of them said.

All high school students are expected to participate in the School Spirit Challenge sponsored by WGME this year. Students will bring in food or raise money to buy food for the local food pantry the first week of October.

Superintendent Kenneth Healey greeted students and staff at Livermore Elementary School where Principal Kevin Harrington has taken the helm. The school has a new prekindergarten program operated by Head Start.

Healey will greet students and staff at Jay Elementary School on Wednesday and those at the middle and high schools on Thursday.

The district has openings for an educational technician for special education and a bus driver, which are being filled by substitutes. At the middle school, two soccer coaches are needed.

: From left, Spruce Mountain High School students Kaitlyn Castaneda, Emily Keene and Samantha Richards said Tuesday they are excited to be seniors at the Jay school.