Chester welcomes new teachers

By Frances Ruth Harris
CHESTER — The Chester school board recently welcomed two newly minted teachers, as the district gears up for a brand-new academic year.

Brian Wersebe is the Chester Academy's new technology teacher for grades 6 to 12. Kaitlin Moran, a former Chester student, is the new physical education teacher at the elementary school.

Monday, Sept. 1, is the first day for kindergarten teachers, who will greet their new students and their parents as the children make their big transition form home to school. Tuesday, Sept. 2, is the district's first full day of school.

The new playground at the elementary school has gotten bigger, with free dirt donated by Brendan Feeney Construction and moved by Town of Chester workers.

“It’s very nice of both of them," said school board President Frank Sambets. "It's a lot of work hiring staff, and hectic at best.”

Open campus consideredChester was once an open campus, and the board is looking at making it an open campus again for seniors who drive. Open campuses allow students to leave at some point during the school day.

Senior tech students who return from morning tech classes can bring lunch to school if they like, according to Principal Denis Petrilak. He said he would like to give other seniors open campus privileges.

The proposed rules would include:

Parental permission required
Three times late means loss of privilege

Seniors would drive in, as tech students do now. The opportunity could be opened up to others who drive to school, said Petrilak.

The proposal will go to the policy committee for further review.