Schools

No Summer Break for Darien Administrators

Even though school's out, administrators still punching the clock.

For students, summer break often means long days at the local pool, chasing the ice cream truck down the block and later bedtimes.

But for administrators, the quieter hallways don’t mean a drop in workload. Instead, principals are hard at work during the hot season preparing for the upcoming school year.

“There are many organizational items to complete during the summer,” said principal Marty Casey.

Some of that work includes hiring new staff members, completing a master class schedule, creating and developing a plan to implement goals for the upcoming school year, registering new students, and readying the buildings for the students, which can include both major and minor repairs.

“It is my hope that that the school year opens smoothly and our students (and) parents do not have to worry themselves with the preparation,” Casey said.

Lisa Lantvit, principal at Mark DeLay School, said the workload during the summer is comparable to the school year.

“We’re just as busy,” she said.

And because secretaries aren’t in the office, answering phones is another to-do on administrators’ list.

Lantvit said many school employees help get Mark DeLay ready for the next school year. She lauds the custodians who she says “have worked tirelessly this summer in the heat.”

Both Casey and Lantvit were able to sneak some time away from their schools this summer. Casey was able to enjoy a family cruise on the St. Lawrence Seaway during a week in July, and Lantvit took two weeks off in July to go on a vacation.

With school starting up in only a few short weeks, administrators are preparing for the soon to be bustling hallways and classrooms.

“Things are shaping up,” Lantvit said. “We have lots of last minute registrations. As people come in it’s better for us so we have a better idea of class sizes. Teachers are coming in all the time and getting their classrooms set up. I think we’re in a very good position.”


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