Excitement is growing at Joel Barlow High School as the staff prepares for the upcoming 2024-25 school year. While students were off for the summer, everyone at Barlow worked hard to improve the student and staff experiences.
Numerous physical improvements were made to the building. Four bathrooms have been renovated and updated, one student and one staff restroom each, in the A and E hallways. Because of the administration’s focus on its growing science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) program, there have been improvements to the STEM facilities. This summer, the former green room was renovated to use the space more effectively.
Updates to the library included a new paint job and ceiling tiles. Finally, to help keep students safe, the school security system has been updated with expanded camera coverage on campus. Future summers will introduce additional work in the library, common areas, and bathroom renovations.
Along with the administration’s other responsibilities, it will need to prepare for an accreditation visit from the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). The reaccreditation process is a multi-year project designed to ensure that Barlow meets the current requirements for accreditation. In addition, the staff is developing and implementing a long-term curriculum review cycle.
There are also some new professionals joining Barlow this year. Chrissy Martinez will be the new supervisor of special education. Amy Hannibal and Kim Pack are joining the special education team as teachers. Angelique Campo is a new speech language pathologist. Courtney Hylok is joining the school as a behavior technician.
Alison Dischinger is a new social studies teacher. Ginny Wood and Susana Khan will be joining the humanities department as an English teacher and Latin teacher, respectively. The Humanities and STEM departments will be joined by Marlene Cardillo as their secretary. Eileen Earle will be joining as a teaching assistant.
Non-academic positions include Diana Mesa as the new district data manager. Josie Thomas will be the school nurse and Tom Lucibello is a new financial coordinator. Diane Martini is being promoted from the writing center secretary to a writing assistant.
With high school students and teachers only having a couple of weeks left to enjoy their summer, time is sure to fly by. School will begin on Wednesday, Aug. 28. Also, parents should mark their calendars for Thursday, Sept. 26, from 7 to 9 pm. That is when Open House will take place.
