Starting his second year as principal of Deep River Elementary School Principal Christian Strickland says he is at least as excited for the first day of school on Thursday, Aug. 27, as he was last year, which was his first in the principal position.

“I can honestly say that I am looking forward to the start of the 2015-2016 school year with as much, if not more excitement than last year,” Strickland wrote in his back to school letter to parents.

He also urged parents to be sure to click on the “Virtual Backpack” link at www.dres.reg4.k12.ct.us weekly for information on what’s happening at the school.

Although Strickland will be a familiar face, there are some new staff members.

“We had a number of retirements come in at the end of the year so we ended up hiring 15 new certified teachers across the five schools this year,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Ruth Levy. “In addition, we hired several non-certified personnel as well.

“It has been a very busy summer—lots of interviewing—and we are excited to welcome all the new staff members,” she added. “We hired excellent educators.” Curtis Meyer will join the Grade 6 Team, David Miller will be the school’s new Spanish teacher, Emily Reed will start the year as the long-term substitute for Jennifer Nims, and Stanton Conover will be the building-based intern this year (Conover has his undergraduate degree from UConn and will be completing his field work and student teaching at DRES as he completes his master’s in education from the University of New Haven).

Some important dates for Deep River Elementary School students and parents to remember are; first day of school on Aug. 27; Monday, Sept. 7, Labor Day, no school; Monday, Sept. 14, Rosh Hashanah, no school; and Wednesday, Sept. 23, Yom Kippur, no school. If all goes well weather wise this year, the last day of school is scheduled for June 15.

For more information, visit www.dres.reg4.k12.ct.us.