Reed Intermediate School New Student Orientation

By Eliza Hallabeck

While schools across the district held new student orientations before school started on Wednesday, September 2, Reed Intermediate School’s New Student Orientation, on Monday August, 31, was the first at the school for new Principal Sharon Epple.

As parents and students entered the cafetorium at Reed, a welcome table was set up to hand out student information, a map of the school, and more. Signs with Reed fifth grade teachers’ names directed students to their fellow students in their clusters. Some sixth grade students new to the school also attended.

When Dr Epple, who came to Reed from the position of principal at Huckleberry Hill Elementary School in Brookfield, began speaking to the gathered group, she explained that she had been at the school for four weeks, and added, with a laugh, “When we go on the tour, I can’t be the one to give it to you.”

Reed Intermediate School will be seven years old in January, and Dr Epple said her son, Christian Bietel, was one of the first students to attend Reed when it opened. Approximately 160 students will be attending Reed this fall.

“We are glad to see you here this evening,” Assistant Principal Anthony Salvatore said when he began to speak.

About half of the attending parents raised their hands when Dr Salvatore asked if they were first-time parents at Reed.

“There is light at the end of the tunnel,” said Dr Salvatore. “We do understand, and we are great listeners. If you have any questions feel free to contact us.”

After speaking about the numerous activities, clubs, and the organization of the students’ education at Reed, both Dr Salvatore and Dr Epple went with parents and students for a tour of the school.

Hawley Elementary School also held a New Family Orientation on Tuesday, September 1, the morning before school started for the 2009-2010 school year. Newtown Middle School held its’ New Parent Meeting on August 27 to welcome students from new families in Newtown, and Newtown High School held its’ yearly Freshmen Orientation on Tuesday, August 25. 

Public schools across the district are also preparing for open houses specific to each grade. More information on each school’s scheduled open houses can be found on their websites through the Newtown Public School’s main website, www.newtown.k12.ct.us.