By JOSHUA THOMAS

C-S-E Editor

CANAJOHARIE — On Wednesday morning, Canajoharie Superintendent of Schools Deborah Grimshaw and Middle School Principal Douglas Morrissey greeted students as they exited buses at the East Hill Elementary School.

It was a first day not only for the students, but for both Grimshaw and Morrissey, as neither of them have celebrated a first day in the district in their current capacities. For Grimshaw, this was her first day of school in Canajoharie since taking over for Richard Rose as superintendent in December 2012, and Morrissey had previously spent his first days in the district as CHS guidance counselor.

Grimshaw said the morning arrival of students went “very smoothly.” She noted that the district’s teachers had a very positive opening session on Tuesday, which set the stage for welcoming students Wednesday.

On Tuesday, teachers and faculty spoke of where Canajoharie is as a district, and how they plan to move forward to achieve the goal of a 100 percent graduation rate.

Stated Grimshaw, “As a district, we have made a commitment to work towards a 100 percent graduation rate. This means that every student will walk across our stage and continue on to college or a career. Each and every day we will be about helping your child or children create a bright future because a bright future begins with a solid education.”

Grimshaw noted that although Canajoharie is a “very good district,” they’re not all the way where they need to be. She likened the journey to “climbing the last 1/3 of the summit of the mountain of excellence.” This part, she said, will be a test, but as long as educators keep in mind “that every student — all students — can be successful and achieve in school,” CCS will be successful in reaching their goal.

Tuesday also consisted of working on teacher evaluation structures, where teachers were provided information, via a flash drive, to show them what the teacher evaluation system looks like, and how to progress within that system.

Grimshaw also explained that this year, the district will continue work that began before she arrived, to connect the experiences of students as they move from building to building, from grade level to grade level. This year is the first in a five-year plan, wherein faculty will dissect core curriculum to find opportunities to connect the student experience, making each transition seamless, each time building upon what’s already been learned.

She said that teachers and office staff were also provided framed plaques, designed by Grimshaw’s daughter (a graphic design major), that say “everything will be OK,” a motto Grimshaw lives by. The slogan, she said, will hopefully remind faculty that “in a challenging year, everything will be OK.”