Putting away the beach bags and picking up their backpacks, the students of Wareham will be heading back to school. 

The yellow school buses will see the streets once again Wednesday, Aug. 24 with school beginning at 7:40 a.m. for middle and high school students and 8:40 a.m. for elementary students. Pre-K and Kindergarten will begin school Monday, Sept. 8. 

There will be no school Friday, Aug. 29 or Monday, Sept. 1. 

As the school year begins and summer fades away, the district is ushering in new change.

Wareham Elementary School's principals office will see a new face. Daniel Sylvestre, former principal at Park Elementary School in Rhode Island will be taking over for former elementary school principal Beth Chandler. 

Chandler will become the district’s director of Beyond School Time effective Nov. 1. She will replace Jane Fondulis, who is retiring in late October.

Superintendent Matthew D'Andrea said that Sylvestre brings a wealth of experience to his new role.

"Over his career, Mr. Sylvestre has held principal and assistant principal roles in Marshfield and Plymouth, where he focused on building strong school communities, supporting instructional growth, and improving student outcomes," D'Andrea said.

For an in-depth look at Sylvestre and the upcoming school year, read here.

Sarah Russo, having joined the district in 2016, will be moving up from Vice Principal of the elementary school to become principal of the middle school. 

Superintendent Matthew D'Andrea said she has been an integral part of the district.

"Her deep understanding of our community, combined with her extensive experience in school administration, curriculum development, and fostering collaborative school cultures, makes her well-prepared to lead the middle school," he said.

For an in-depth look at Russo and the upcoming school year, read here

High School Principal Scott Palladino has exciting new changes coming this school year from additional courses to new state testing rules. 

For more information about what Palladino has in store for the Vikings this year, read here.