RUMFORD – A 34-year teaching veteran at has taken over the leadership of the small parochial school and believes the soon-to-start new school year will be a good one.

Barbara Pelletier, a second-grade teacher, will serve as both teacher and principal of the 100-pupil school when classes start Wednesday.

She takes over from Don Fournier, who left the position after a half-dozen years to teach religion courses at St. Dominic’s High School in Lewiston.

“This is not a job,” she said on Wednesday. “It’s something I enjoy. We’re like a family.”

Among the school’s nine full- and part-time staff are several new faces.

Rumford resident Vickie Kuhl will replace Irene Beane, who taught first-grade before retiring. Kuhl will also help out with grades 2 and 4. Cecelia Vistica of Andover will teach part-time in grades 7 and 8, which are the grades Fournier taught.

Dorothy Hinshaw of Sumner will become the school’s part-time librarian, taking over from Brenda Sassi, who retired.

Pelletier said the school will celebrate International Peace Day on Sept. 21 with a special Mass, as well as note Grandparents’ Day on the same September date.

Other events and activities will be scheduled once the school gets under way, she said.

“We’re going to have a great year,” said Pelletier.