Whittemore Elementary Students aren't the only ones having to learn the ins and outs of the new building.
Deborah Butts, the school's new principal, started work on Friday.
"It's been great. Everybody I have met has been positive and welcoming. Clearly the Whittemore community is positive and productive," she said.
The Littleton resident and mother of 26-year-old twins and a 23-year-old son, recently got a sneak peek at her new school.
"We toured the new school for the first time (Monday) and it's beautiful. Teachers are clearly anxious to get in there and get their class rooms set up," she said.
Butts is spending her first few days familiarizing herself with the school's staff and curriculum.
"I've been working on preparing a correspondence for parents, which should go out in several days," she said. "I've been collaborating with Jane Gatley, who is the assistant principal and who has been absolutely fabulous. And I've been getting to know my way around the email and the school Web site and familiarizing myself with the curriculum."
Butts said Waltham's diversity and Whittemore's structure were major selling points in her seeking the position.
"I love the idea that this is a very diverse community, and I'm drawn to a kindergarten through grade 5 model," she said. "I have had colleagues who have had associations with Waltham and I've heard nothing but positive comments on the public school system."
Butts said her last position as a preschool case manager in Winchester involved handling an integrated program where a sizable portion of her students were in a special education curriculum.
She said about 90 families from across Winchester took part in the preschool program, which was held in one school.
Most of all, Butts said she hopes to bring a positive energy to her students and staff this fall.
"I have high expectations for behavior and performance," she said. "Initially I'm not planning to change anything. I want to value the culture as it is and develop a plan to move forward with the staff."
Up until the end of the last school year, Whittemore students were temporarily taught at the old South Middle School on Moody Street, awaiting a $25 million renovation of the original school building at 30 Parmenter Road.
The Whittemore Elementary School is the eighth and final public school the city has worked to renovate or replace since 2001. The school is rated for 516 students and is expected to open next month with 300 to 350 students.
In a decision that came as a surprise to some parents, Butts edged out former Bright Elementary School Principal Deb Ahlman, who also applied for the job. Ahlman had worked more than 38 years in the district.
Butts was the unanimous pick by a principal search committee, Superintendent Susan Parrella said.
Jeff Gilbride can be reached at 781-398-8005 or jgilbrid@cnc.com.
