THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – Friday, August 30, 2019 Page 7 TIME TO COME | FROM PAGE 3 tal revamp of an education system,” he said. Brendon Sullivan, executive director of Curriculum, Instruction & Accountability for the Saugus Public Schools, echoed DeRuosi’s assessment. “Over the next four years, the district is going through a huge change,” Sullivan said. “The way we structure, the way we do business, is going to be very different,” he said. Sullivan, who coordinated the orientation, told the new educators to expect “a very challenging year,” which he said is what he experienced during his first classroom job. He also offered some advice: “We’re here for the kids: The kids aren’t here for us,” he stressed. Never expect an easy path as a teacher, he said. To be a good teacher, one must continue to learn new technology and new instructional ways which improve teaching skills, according to Sullivan. He noted that the school district has hired three new computer teachers to work in the elementary school grades this year. For this week’s story, The Saugus Advocate visited the six schools to find out from principals about major initiatives that are being undertaken. Saugus High School (781-231-5027) Principal Michael Hashem said it is essentially a milestone year in the history of Saugus High School, as seniors (The Class of 2020) will be the last ones to graduate from the building. This year’s juniors (2021) will be the first to graduate from the new school in the spring of 2021. Hashem noted that students in both classes have been preparing for that transition for months. But there are always logistical issues to deal with, he said. “The big thing is the schedule – that’s huge – and also preparing for MAN ON A MISSION: Saugus Public Schools Superintendent Dr. David DeRuosi, Jr. leaves his district office at the Roby School Administration Building on Wednesday, Aug. 28, one week before the start of classes. the move. He said there will be five classes every day, each class 68 minutes long. He said Middle School students would have a similar schedule. Belmonte Middle School (781-231-5052) Principal Myra Monto found herself too busy for an interview on Tuesday or Wednesday as she prepared for the new school year. One major project during the 2019-20 academic year, of course, will be the move next spring from Belmonte to the new school that will accommodate grades 6 through 12. Belmonte, one of the state’s lowest performing schools in MCAS testing last year, is also involved with the activation of a turnaround plan designed to improve the school’s education. Oaklandvale Elementary School Principal Michael A. Smith. Shown from left to right: New clerk Shannon Burke confers with Waybright Elementary School Principal Patricia Romano earlier this week as they prepare for next Wednesday when students return for the 201920 academic year. Lynnhurst Elementary School (781-231-5079) Lynnhurst Elementary School Principal Michael Mondello said educators at his school, which numbers about 291 students, would continue to work on ways to improve the overall culture of the school. “We are driven by core values,” Mondello said. Lynnhurst Elementary School Principal Michael Mondello. “We’re moving away from being punitive and toward becoming positive,” he said. He said the school has adopted Positive Behavioral Intervention System (PBIS), a new program that focuses on encouraging good behavior. “Rome wasn’t built in a day,” he said, referring to the comprehensive changes that have been taking place throughout the school district in recent years. Oaklandvale Elementary V et er ans Memorial Elementary School Principal Tracey Ragucci. School (781-231-5082) Oaklandvale Elementary School Principal Michael A. Smith said he intends to continue working on ways to make his school a contagious place for learning. And that starts with the approach of every teacher who comes in contact with his 230 students. “Kids can’t be excited about coming to school if teachers aren’t excited about coming to TIME TO COME | SEE PAGE 9 A.B.C. 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