GOFFSTOWN — Students head back to school today, but preparations have been ongoing all summer in anticipation of their return, with building enhancements and cleanups, new staff and stronger programming, officials said.

The most significant improvements were at Mountain View Middle School, with new carpeting and tiling in several areas, 10 new smart boards, bringing the school total to 20, the replacement of 33 chalkboards with white boards and new tables in the Science and Family and Consumer Science areas.

In addition, four new cameras were added to the surveillance system at the school, which houses about 876 students.

“Our facility and campus are now monitored with a total of 32 cameras,” said Principal Jim Hunt in a summer letter to parents.

Staff spent some time during the summer participating in professional development programming, getting familiar with Common Core Standards adopted by the State of New Hampshire, Hunt said.

Superintendent Stacy Buckley said more than 100 teachers in the district completed professional development programs as the district moves forward with implementing National Common Core Standards.

“This will ensure that our students are learning and engaged,” she said.

Students will also be introduced to a new behavioral program called PBIS, or Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports, said Assistant Superintendent Brian Balke. The program, funded by a $20,000 grant to be shared by Goffstown and the Hampton school districts, will focus on positive behaviors and relationships.

“It's a school-wide behavioral program that focuses on positive interaction with students and has consistent behavioral expectations across all school settings and all school staff,” Balke said.

According to Balke, the focus primarily will be on unstructured areas, such as hallways, bathrooms, the school cafeteria, and arrival and dismissal times. Teachers will be trained on the program soon.

“This is big initiative for us,” Balke said. “We were very excited to be chosen as part of that grant.”

Bartlett Elementary Schoo

Not much will change for the estimated 200 students returning to Bartlett Elementary School, according to Principal David Bousquet.

A new school nurse, Catherine Whitney, will be stationed in the office that was occupied for 34 years by Jeannine Laroche.

Whitney said she is looking forward to meeting new students.

“It will be nice to see the kids and get to know them,” she said.

Once summer programs ended, Bousquet said custodians got to work cleaning up the building for fall.

Maple Avenue Elementary Schoo

At Maple Avenue Elementary School, parents will once again be invited to the back-to-school program on the first day of classes, where parents can meet their child's teacher and get a glimpse of their classroom.

Two new teachers will join the staff, one in first grade and one in second, said Principal Suzanne Pyszka, and part of the school's roof was replaced.

Pyszka said she looks forward to getting through the nuts and bolts of the first day, including dropoff and pickup.

“There is a lot of movement during dropoff and pickup time, and as soon as they come in, we're thinking about how they're getting home,” she said. “It's quite a process.”

Goffstown High

Goffstown High School did not see any major staff changes, said Principal Frank McBride.

“In the rough economy, there are a lot of quality people fighting for limited jobs,” he said, “so the few that we've hired have been very good.”

McBride said credit should be given to the custodial staff that spends the summer cleaning and preparing the school for another academic year.

“They work really, really hard,” McBride said. “Goffstown High looks spectacular right now.”

The energy of a new school year combined with quality staff is an indicator to McBride that it's going to be a good year.

“It's exciting to start a new year with students and staff who have confidence in their skills and abilities,” he said.

Buckley said district staff worked hard on behalf of the students.

“We have worked diligently to ensure our buildings have been cleaned and upgraded where necessary,” she said. “We spent a lot of quality time interviewing staff to ensure we are putting the best teachers in our classrooms, and we're excited to begin the school year.”

kremillard@newstote.com