As August turns to September, summer turns to school in the Tri-Town.

Students in first through twelfth grade returned to schools in the Old Rochester Regional School District on Wednesday, Aug. 28.

“We’re excited about greeting them,” Superintendent Michael Nelson said.

As the new school year begins, buildings throughout the district are in “great shape,” according to Nelson.

And while students and staff enjoyed the summer break, Old Rochester administration had been busy, he said.

That administration includes four new names throughout the district heading into the 2024-25 academic year.

Earlier this summer, Jaime Curley joined Old Rochester as assistant superintendent of student services. 

Curley previously worked as director of special education services for the Mashpee Public School District since 2017.

Nelson said she brought “a wealth of experience” from Mashpee to the Tri-Town.

Tri-Town resident Lynn Dessert joins as new principal of Sippican Elementary School in Marion, replacing former acting principal Doreen Lopes. 

Dessert had served since 2017 as the principal of Dighton Elementary School and previously was the principal of New Bedford’s John A. Parker School.

Also at Sippican School, Gregory Thomas was named assistant principal, replacing former assistant principal Pete Crisafulli. 

Thomas had previously served as assistant principal at Henry B. Burkland Elementary School in Middleboro Public Schools and was principal of Middleboro’s John T. Nichols Middle School from 2018 to 2020.

Nelson said he was excited to have permanent leadership at Sippican School.

Plymouth native Stephanie Wells was named principal of Old Hammondtown School in June. Wells enters the role after longtime Old Hammondtown School teacher and principal Kevin Tavares — or Mr. T — retired.

Wells had been an assistant principal for Rockland Public Schools since 2022. She was also previously an assistant principal for Taunton Public Schools.

Dessert, Thomas and Wells held “popsicles with principals” events at both Sippican School and Old Hammondtown School in August. The gatherings introduced the new administrators to school students and families.

And in Rochester, Heidi Letendre was named permanent principal of Rochester Memorial School in May, after having served since the beginning of the previous academic year as interim principal.

As Old Rochester enters a new school year, it also begins year two of "Vision 2028," the district's strategic plan. 

The 2024-25 school year also marks the second year of the school district utilizing a literacy program called “Into Reading.”

Nelson said Into Reading was a “large undertaking” and year two is “equally important in implementing” the program.

Old Rochester also continues to “enhance” its social-emotional learning program and will continue Project351, a new undertaking last year led by Lauren Millette, director of guidance.

Project351 is a non-profit organization of youth-led and school-based service. One hundred and fifty students participated last year in the program, which emphasizes “the need for student voice,” according to Nelson.

There’s one other noticeable change in Old Rochester heading into the next school year. A press box presented by the Old Rochester Regional Athletic Booster Club was added to the high school’s multi-purpose field. 

The structure is a “huge accomplishment,” and Old Rochester was “very grateful” to the booster club, Nelson said.