Open house was held at the RTR middle school last Tuesday

It's a new school year

By Robert Wolfington

New staff, new starting time and updates to the three school buildings mark the start of a new school year for the Russell-Tyler-Ruthton school district.

On Tuesday, August 25, each of the schools in the RTR district held open houses, giving parents and students a peak at what they can expect for the new school year.

The RTR elementary school building features a new gym floor, freshly painted walls and a handful of new staff that Principal Amy Christensen said should make this a good school year.

Christensen said one of the big updates for this school year is the addition of two "response to intervention" positions that will work with students in kindergarten through third grade.

The RTI positions will continue work started by a paraprofessional in the school last year, working with students individually on reading skills, said Christensen.

Christensen said the RTI staff will start out with set hours for each grade level, but depending on how staff and students work during those times it could shift.

Christensen said the RTI staff will work with each individual student in the program and generate materials that will be set aside to help each student as the school year moves forward.

Over the summer crews installed a new gym floor in the Ruthton school building.

Christensen said the floor "looks great" and is excited for the new school year.

Jim Burns, middle school administrator, said much of the school has received upgrades over the last few years.

Burns said the hallways, upstairs and many classrooms feature new ceilings and lighting that "brightens up the learning environment."

"The building really looks nice," he said.

The middle school has one new teacher, Anna Banttari, who will serve as an RTI professional for the district.

Burns said Banttari will work with students individually as needed in math and reading.

Burns said the school now has SMART boards "in just about every class room."

Pam Bush, principal for the high school, said there are four new staff members starting this school year.

We have four new instructors this year for math, business, a council and an RTI person.

Bush said the RTI staff member will work with students who might need additional help during the school year.

"Struggling kids, kids who are struggling in the class room," said Bush. "With a little bit of extra help (the students) can be much more successful."

Bush said the school has also upgraded its computer software to the 2007 edition of Microsoft Office.

Classes for both the middle school and high school will be pushed to an 8:15 a.m. start, the same as the elementary school.

Bush said the time shift was made to facilitate ITV classes.

"That was done in an attempt to line our schedule up with area schools so we can make better use of interactive television classes."

Bush said she is looking forward to a strong year at RTR.

"We’re anticipating a good year," she said.