New School Year At Botelle Begins August 27

By Ann DeCerbo
Although students are out on break, it’s been anything but a quiet summer at Botelle. Over the past two months, the Norfolk Board of Education conducted searches and interviewed prospective candidates for both principal and superintendent. Newly-hired Principal Matthew O’Connell and Superintendent Mary Beth Iacobelli will welcome students on the first day of school, Wednesday August 27.

A community meet-and-greet with Mr. O’Connell and Dr. Iacobelli is scheduled for one week earlier, Wednesday, August 20, in the library from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

Another significant change at Botelle is that 20 minutes will be added to each regular school day this year. The school day will now run from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

An updated Botelle website is nearing completion. The site will feature new pictures and provide information about the school, classrooms, and teachers/staff. The new design is in keeping with a technology initiative at the school reflected by the popular school library site and the new iPad program being launched this fall.

The Botelle PTO will continue to meet on the first Tuesday of every month at 6 p.m. in the cafeteria. All parents and teachers are welcome and encouraged to participate. The PTO administers cultural enrichment programming, plans family fun events, provides after school programming and manages the community garden. It also runs the holiday and book fairs, provides refreshments at school events and supports special teacher requests. The first meeting of the new school year will take place on September 3.