A Smooth Transition: Supt. Macero Confident about New School Year

Superintendent of Schools John Macero has been spending a lot of his time this summer making sure that the students’ transition to their new school sites will be smooth and orderly when the academic year begins next week. It’s certainly been a challenge for all as a result of the construction of a new middle/high school. Winthrop High School is relocating to the former middle school with the eighth graders remaining there as part of Winthrop High School, while other students begin the year at the Cummings (grades 4-7) and Gorman/Fort Banks Schools.

We were able to join Mr. Macero for a walk-through at Winthrop High School on Pauline Street (which ironically is where the former Winthrop High School was located from about 1900 until the present Winthrop High was built in 1965) and the superintendent seemed confident that the school is ready to accommodate the students’ academic and extracurricular needs and that it will be a strong and productive learning environment under the capable leadership of Principal Eileen Belastock and assistant principal Matthew Crombie.

The finishing touches are being put on some of the science labs and classrooms and the Lifeskills Centers and other areas of the school. Macero commended the custodial staff for their efforts in preparing the school for the new year.

One impressive addition is the new gymnasium which has a new floor and will have new bleachers that we expect will be packed with Winthrop fans for basketball games, especially our superb girls’ team that should contend for a state championship this year. There are new locker rooms in the school and a weight room. Many of our athletes — especially the hockey players — will find the new arrangement more convenient with the Larsen Rink at the Mike Eruzione Center located right next door to their school.

John Macero was so proud of the town when residents voted to approve the new $80 million middle/high school project. He’s ready to guide our system in the years leading up to the opening of the new schools, insuring that each student in our school system will receive the maximum educational experience under the tutelage of his team of outstanding administrators and dedicated teachers.