Area schools get ready for opening day

FINGER LAKES--With students preparing for back to school Tuesday, Sept. 6, school districts throughout the region are ready to welcome them back to what they expect will be the most normal school year since the pandemic began. That message was shared by several school district superintendents.
"This is a year that looks more like normal than any year in a long time," said Howard Dennis, superintendent of Penn Yan Central School District. "I am excited for our staff and students to be able to come and do the important work they do without the constraints of many COVID protocols. It will be very nice to be close to a traditional setting."
Kyle Bower, superintendent for Hammondsport School District, echoed those sentiments and said he was looking forward to "returning to a new normal."
Christopher Barnard, superintendent for the Dundee Central School District, said opening with fewer restrictions regarding COVID is exciting.
"We can focus on the social-emotional needs and behavioral and academic needs of our students... not having these variables that sometimes got in the way," said Barnard.
Barnard added he is looking forward not only to how the new staff integrates into the district but also to encouraging Dundee residents to become involved at the school.
"I am excited for the growth between our community and school and how our school thrives because of the support of our community," Barnard stated.
In Penn Yan, the summer break offered time for building renovations, projects that are still continuing.
"All of our buildings are getting some level of work done to them," Dennis explained. "In the short term it will be messy and inconvenient - in the end, we will have more up-to-date facilities with better ventilation and cooling capacity."
Bower added that staff members are anxious to get students back into classrooms so they can get the new school year rolling.
"Our building looks fantastic, our staff is ready, and we are very excited to get our students on campus on Sept. 6," said Bower.