Henri A. Yelle Elementary School principal Lisa Farrell says that this has been one of the best years in terms of the first few days of school. When kids walked through the doors Sept. 5, the fourth grade students entered dry-eyed and prepared. The fifth grade students know what’s expected of them, so they were also calm. Seven new staff members joined the Yelle team, the most Farrell has had in one year. There have also been no bus route issues. Learn more about Farrell and her plans for the upcoming year below.What town do you live in? EastonWhat is your background in education? “This is my…

With the first day of school quickly approaching on Wednesday, Sept. 5, kids are starting to think about who they will have for teachers and which friends will share the same classroom. But what about the head honcho at school...the principal? Over the next few weeks, Patch will have a question and answer with Norton Public School principals so that students and their parents can get to know the person in charge. This week we learn about principal Riitta Bolton of J.C. Solmonese Elementary School. Name: Riitta Bolton Age: 55How long have you worked in the Norton school system, and at what …

With the first day of school quickly approaching on Wednesday, Sept. 5, kids are starting to think about who they will have for teachers and which friends will share the same classroom. But what about the head honcho at school...the principal? Over the next few weeks, Patch will have a question and answer with Norton Public School principals so that students and their parents can get to know the person in charge. This week we learn about principal Michael O'Rourke of Norton Middle School. Name: Michael O'Rourke Age: 62 (until September 12th)  Will you be using a young photo of me? (lol) How …

Bishop Feehan High School recently held its annual two-week long Summer Academic Academy for incoming freshmen.  Over 100 students chose to participate and enjoyed many opportunities for learning the ropes of a new campus by participating in group activities to enhance social interaction, reviewing math and English curriculum and learning “survival” skills. Those skills included how to take notes, how to use the library, how to stay motivated and how to avoid discipline problems.  “The Summer Academic Academy has been a great success each year. Whether the kids realize it or not, it gives …

Lunch boxes have changed in design and shape over the years, but the basic idea is the same. Along with space inside for a cold drink, sandwich and snack, the cover is devoted to a favorite cartoon, character, TV show or movie. That's why Justin Bieber and Darth Vader and Japanese cartoon characters are staring out at shoppers from the shelves of Target. Back in the '70s, the lunch boxes were aluminum. In the '80s, they gave way to plastic. Vintage lunch boxes now are highly collectible. They are displayed as collections in people's homes, and sometimes they get their own art gallery shows.  …

A new report from AccuWeather.com expects more snow this winter as a result of a weak to moderate El Niño. The presence of El Niño or La Niña - and their strength - is used to project how active the winter season is going to be, according to Samantha Kramer, a staff writer for AccuWeather.com. Kramer says the website's long-range meteorologists are projecting a weak to moderate El Niño by late in the summer. "For kids praying to hear school's out for a snow day, the weaker the El Niño, the better," Kramer writes. "Weak El Niños have brought snow-packed winters to most major Northeast cities …

Wednesday, Sept. 7 marked the beginning of the new school year for Norton students. Meet the Teachers night at Norton High School will take place Thursday, Sept. 15. The annual Meet the Teachers Night for Norton Middle School parents will take place on Wednesday, Sept. 21. Grade 6 parents will be welcomed 5:45 p.m. while grades 7 and 8 will have the auditorium 6:45 p.m. Kindergarten orientation will begin 9:30 a.m. Sept. 8 in the J. C. Solmonese and L. G. Nourse gyms for incoming kindergarten students and parents. A Project Early orientation will also take place 9:30 a.m. or 1:30 p.m. for …

By Chris Rappold Establish a bedtime.  Take the time to talk through expectations for the upcoming school year. Give them some lofty goals to shoot for. Create some rewards for attaining and surpassing their goals. Make sure they have everything they need for school. Make a schedule that will provide ample time for study, sporting activities and unscheduled down time. Engage their help in planning a menu that will give them the fuel they will need to excel.  Chores – decide what chores if any will be added to their schedule this school year. We always teach with increased rank comes increased…

Thanks to Suzanne Souza, the new director of food services for Norton Public Schools, the days of children buying a bag of potato chips and a cookie for lunch are over. In order to stay within new state and federal guidelines for school lunch, Norton will be serving meals with more whole grains and lower sodium and sugar. The goal is also to serve less frozen foods and learn how to cook healthier options. For example, while frozen pizza will be taken off the menu, cafeteria workers will learn how to make a nutritious version of the school lunch staple. Some other items to be taken off the …