Around the Island, an expected 2,155 students are dusting off backpacks, sharpening pencils and choosing first-day outfits. The first day of school is Tuesday.
A renovation project at the Chilmark School went slightly over budget this summer, leaving not enough cash on hand to address a faulty boiler in the school heating system. Members of the up-Island district committee discussed the problem.
In the Chilmark School Thursday morning head of school Susan Stevens stood among parents and grandparents, giving kids high fives. “Welcome back! Glad you’re here!” she said. It was the common refrain as students around the Island headed back to classrooms to begin a new school year.
In 1992 a group of parents and teachers collaborated on a new academic program for the Chilmark School. It sprang from the belief that children and adults can learn together outside the classroom.
Those were a few of the words the Chilmark School fourth and fifth grade class used in their class blessing at the school’s community lunch Friday afternoon. The lunch was the last of the school year in a series of gatherings organized by Island Grown Schools and volunteers.
Play dates at the beach, fresh rhubarb pies, trips to Hogwarts and warm hugs — this Mother's Day, the second and third grade students in Katy Maciel and Mariah MacGregor’s class at the Chilmark School share poems composed for their moms.
On Monday kindergarten and first grade students at the Chilmark School took their youthful expertise to the air. As part of a STEM project, standing for science, technology, engineering and mathematics, the children collaborated on kite making. They were given 25 pennies to spend on materials for each kite and the designs were all their own.
Save the date for next Saturday, Feb. 9, when the Chilmark School holds its annual winter fundraiser. The party will be held at the Chilmark Community Center. Johnny Hoy and the Bluefish provide the backbeat.
The fundraiser is from 7 to 11:30 p.m. That’s way past Chilmark midnight (8 p.m.) but, hey, time to step up and stay up for a good cause.
The cost is $15 at the door or online at ticketsmv.com/chilmark.
School costs are driving budget increases across the Island, but in Chilmark, one expense forcing voters to dig into their wallets for education spending may come as a shock.
The Menemsha School, barely four years old, already needs $100,000 in repairs that include replacing moldy floors and rotten doors. Voters will be asked Monday night at annual town meeting to foot the bill. The meeting begins at 7:30 p.m. in the Chilmark Community Center.
The annual town election takes place Wednesday and will feature five override questions, but no contested races.
