First Day of School Arrives in Woburn This Week

As of this week, the classrooms of Woburn schools will no longer be empty.

Woburn Public Schools open for business in the upcoming days as teachers return to work on Tuesday and students have their first day of classes on Thursday.

According to Superintendent of Schools Mark Donovan, the majority of the changes that will be evident this year are behind the scenes. Specifically, Woburn will be among the schools familiarizing itself with the first year of the new educator evaluation system.

“It’s a very effective way in looking at what we do and focusing on areas where we can make everyone better,” said Donovan. “And in turn, the students will benefit.”

Donovan said Wednesday is one of his favorite days of the school year. That is the day that the district holds what he calls its “opening ceremonies” when he gets to meet his entire staff.

According to Donovan, the first week of school is a hectic time for him as he fields questions from teachers and parents. But as students file through the hallways, things quickly fall back into place.

“Once school begins on Thursday and the students are settled in, around 9:30 or 10 there is somewhat of a calm that comes over everyone,” said Donovan.

The Woburn Superintendent said that while it does take some time for students to get back into the flow of the new school year, it isn’t long before it’s business as usual.

“The first few days there is some novelty to it, but over the next week they understand the routine, and pretty soon they’re clicking on all cylinders,” said Donovan. “I often walk around school on the first day, and it’s amazing to see how engaged the students are in their classrooms. It’s almost like they never left.”