By Victoria Gaither
PITTSFORD—When Lothrop Elementary School students return to the classrooms on Wednesday, Aug. 28, administrators and teachers have been busy as bees in the summer preparing for the big day.
“As soon as students leave, we have a schedule for the summer of what needs to get done,” explained Principal Stacey Farrington.
This school term marks Farrington’s first official year as principal.
“I came in mid-year to this position. I started in elementary school, moved to high school, and then returned to elementary school, which has been fantastic,” said Farrington.
Her previous position was dean of students at Mill River Union High School.
Summer doesn’t mean stopping time but rather start-up time for Farrington and her staff of teachers, administrators, office staff, and maintenance crew. It’s an all-out effort at Lothrop School, from getting the building into shape to making over classrooms.
Special Educator Sarah Gecha and Head of Student Support Team Emilee Sweatt were painting when the Mountain Times caught up with them.
“We have painted both the Kindergarten classrooms downstairs; the entire school matches royal blue and white. Now, we are painting the art room,” said Sweatt.
Sweatt, handy with a paintbrush and steady hand, can’t wait to see the students, “I am very excited for the kids to come back to school to hear about what they did over the summer and all the activities and new places they get to see.”
Gecha echoed that excitement and can’t wait to meet her fifth-grade special edu students: “I will have five to seven kids, I believe, this year, so as the school year gets closer and we have our in-service days, I will be making sure my curriculum and programming are ready for them.”
At the Killington Grand, Farrington and some of her teachers participated in the BEST/VTMTSS summer institute this summer.
The learning program offered an immersive experience for school teams and educators.
Farrington explained, “Experts in Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports (PBIS) come in and share their approaches, so we took some new approaches on things like how best to welcome the students into the school building, not only in the morning but also in their individual classrooms throughout the day. Those types of positive interactions welcome the students and make them feel safe in the classroom.”
It wasn’t only about the students. “We also talked about finding a buddy partner to help ground you so you can reset when something isn’t working. Teachers can support each other by stepping in and working together as a team,” said Farrington.
Farrington added that besides the institute training, “We have a lot of staff this summer taking professional courses; they are trying to improve their practice. We are lifelong learners.”
So, as the building floors get polished, boxes of supplies come into the office, phones ring, emails flow nonstop, and all the things that go along with the first day, remember, for many educators work was happening all summer.
