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Schools

School Starts Early for Martha's Vineyard Teachers; 'Numerous' New Faces on Staff

Teachers in the Martha's Vineyard Public Schools start the 2013-2014 year with an all-staff meeting Sept. 3, almost a week before students return to class. (Patch file photo)

Public-school students on Martha's Vineyard don't have to be back in the classroom until Sept. 9th. But for teachers and administrators, the school year starts first thing Tuesday morning, Sept. 3 with an all-staff meeting at Martha's Vineyard Regional High School, followed by duties at their individual campuses Tuesday and Wednesday, according to a newsletter from Island school superintendent Jim Weiss.

New teachers started even earlier: Their two-day orientation began Thursday. All staffers have Sept. 5 and 6 off.

In a letter to teachers, Weiss noted some personnel changes:

"First, both Mike and Laurie Halt have moved to California, leaving openings at the West Tisbury School and at the Superintendent's Office," he wrote.

Laurie Halt's former job as Weiss's second-in-command has been filled by Mattapoisett elementary school principal Matthew D'Andrea, reports the Vineyard Gazette in "Matthew D'Andrea Names Assistant Superintendent."

Donna Lowell-Bettencourt, formerly the district's director of student support services, is the new principal at West Tisbury School, Weiss told teachers in his letter.

"With Donna moving UpIsland, we have begun a search for a new Director of Student Support Services. Filling in during this interim period will be two retired Special Education administrators ] Ralph Friedman and Ed Orenstein.

"Robyn Gurney took a West Tisbury teaching position, leaving an opening for an Early Childhood Coordinator. Alecia Barnes will take over this role on October 1st and will partner with Midge Jacobs, who will work two days each week. Finally, Jeff Rothwell has retired from the Vocational Director's position at the High school and will be replaced by Robert Drobneck," Weiss wrote.

The school district has also hired "numerous teachers, most of whom will be at the High School, and two new elementary school nurses," Weiss added.

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