New year, new attitude
Editorial

Forget what the weather, calendar, or anything else tells you. Summer ends next week, when school starts.

Apparently long gone are the days of the post-Labor Day start of school, so it's an August start this year for all but the youngest school children. Let the grumbling begin.

Despite that grumbling, there is plenty to look forward to this fall as bright-eyed and energized teachers get ready to welcome back downcast pupils with a handful of new programs.

The school district will be adjusting to life with a new food services program, a new bus company and a few new administrators.

Former Oakmont Assistant Principal David Uminski will be taking over the helm of the school with Greg Smith coming from Lunenburg to serve as the assistant principal. In her second year at Overlook, Principal Brenda Houle will be joined by Sandra Rehler, a former administrator at Mahar Regional Middle and High School.

Cafeteria food will now be provided by Chartwell Dining Services, which looks like it will be serving up a lot of great options. If all the hype provides to be true, schools food will be much improved from the food of the past, which can only prove to be beneficial for students.

The new bus company, Laidlaw, will hit the road this year replacing First Student, which can only help improve last year's complaints. But remember as buses hit the road to take care and give yourself a couple of extra minutes to drive through the neighborhoods.

Parents and students, as well as the school district, will also have to deal with the reality of the instituting participation fees for the athletics, band and other cocurricular activities. It will be a shock for some to realize that everything isn't going to be the same but what the entire affect will be has yet to be seen.

But for now, the new school year will be met with grudging acceptance by students, teachers and administrators - traditional feelings as the school year begins.