As of Tuesday, Sept. 6, summer recess ended and classes resumed for students of the Cazenovia Central School District.
Hallways and lunch lines are busy once again at the district’s three academic buildings. For Cazenovia High School Principal Eric Schnabl, life is back to normal.
“The official start to this year went very well, we had no major problems, as far as scheduling and the construction project,” Schnabl said. “The best part of opening day is just seeing the kids come back to school, excited for the new year and ready to get started. I’m in this business because I enjoy seeing students be successful. When the hallways are empty it’s kind of strange.”
Students navigating the halls have noticed a few new modifications to their classroom-commutes. Numerous cosmetic changes and structural improvements were implemented to each of the district’s buildings over the past 15 months as part of the $12.6 million Capital Improvement Project. The plan’s final component in need of completion is the high school’s Buckley Gymnasium. A new set of windows were installed in a newly constructed common area the second floor, looking down into the gym.
Schnabl said excitement is growing and many of the students can’t wait to try out the newly installed flooring and fixtures. “The students were impressed, as were the faculty, with the renovations and additions, and they’re really looking forward to getting into the new gymnasium, which should be completed within the coming weeks,” he said.
The 2010-11 year was a successful one for the district. High standardized test scores, positive state assessments and three state championship athletic teams proved Cazenovia faculty, staff and administrators have continued the tradition of excellence. Observing a steady trend of improvement since he started at the high school in 2005, Schnabl said he hopes to help facilitate students’ success this year.
During the 2011-12 school year, Schnabl will oversee 690 students in grades 8 through 12 with the assistance of vice principal Susan Vickers. The morning of first day of school Schnabl, Vickers and the counseling staff gathered each class in the Cazenovia High School Auditorium to set tone of school year, review a few rules and the code of conduct as well as inform students of what is expected of them.
“We want to get the students excited about getting involved with the school and extracurricular activities, whether it’s sports, clubs or the musical. We want to ensure they develop positive relationships and do productive things over the course of the school year,” Schnabl said.
With the exception of week-long breaks for the holiday season, and spring break, students will continue their studies through June — when classes let out once again, and the senior class graduates.
Pierce Smith is editor of the Cazenovia Republican. He can be reached at 434-8889 ext. 338 or [email protected].
