WINDHAM — Golden Brook School is starting the school year with a new principal and a new kindergarten wing.

Christi Michaud is taking the helm after three years as vice principal. Michaud was chosen as Golden Brook’s first vice principal in 2009 and worked closely with former principal Debra Armfield.

“We’ve done some great things in three years, and I intend to continue that forward momentum,” Michaud said.

One thing that won’t change is Golden Brook School’s unique culture and its focus on celebrating success and encouraging achievement. Michaud welcomes any opportunity to get out and greet the children. Visiting classrooms, offering high-fives as students board the afternoon buses and participating in the annual reading challenges are among her favorite moments, Michaud said.

She continues to look for ways to keep children engaged, Michaud said. Her efforts were boosted by last year’s “Spring into Action” fundraiser, which produced enough money to install MimioBoards in every classroom. MimioBoards are interactive white boards that encourage student participation. The technology can be integrated across all areas, Michaud said, but was available in only a few classrooms before the fundraiser.

“The technology is an opportunity for teachers to extend and enhance opportunity for students,” Michaud said.

She’s equally excited about the enVisionMATH program being introduced in grades kindergarten through fifth this year. Staff members were trained this summer and are eager to implement the program, she said.

The position is not without its challenges. Capacity is the biggest issue facing Golden Brook School, Michaud said. The school houses 757 students. Eight classes are in modular classrooms, art and music classes travel to classrooms on carts, and the combined gymnasium and cafeteria complicates lunch and gym schedules.

“My priority is to keep class sizes from getting too large,” Michaud said. “The research is clear with regard to the positive effects of a smaller student to teacher ratio, especially in the primary grades.”

Some relief may be on the way with the opening of the newly constructed kindergarten wing this year. The space includes seven brightly colored classrooms, each containing SMARTboard technology along with traditional teaching materials. Color-coded tiles allow youngsters to find their rooms easily.

The addition blends seamlessly into the school’s brick exterior and children now have access to the fenced-in playground without having to cross an access road.

“We are thrilled to welcome 180 new kindergarten friends to our new kindergarten addition,” Michaud said.

Michaud is ready for the joys and challenges of her new position. Her passion for teaching makes working with students and teachers to create a difference exciting, Michaud said. She hopes to promote growth and development for all stakeholders, but her vision for Golden Brook School centers around what is best for the students.

“The Golden Brook School community has a history of continuous improvement, excellence in teaching and learning, and a hearty appetite for ensuring all students grow and develop in an environment that provides meaningful learning opportunities,” Michaud said. “We will work together to continue to do great things at Golden Brook School.”

jhanson@newstote.com