WHATELY, MA — Teachers at the town’s elementary school are gearing up for the upcoming school year, and preparing a curriculum that school Principal Peter Crisafulli said will bring a few changes.

The school opened for the 2016-2017 year Wednesday.

“At Whately Elementary School we are excited to continue our efforts in maintaining a positive and joyful climate for our staff and students,” Crisafulli said in a statement. “This year we will proceed with the great work started by our climate committee (which looks at the environment of the school) last year and follow-up on the very positive results we received from our Climate Survey.”

Crisafulli said the theme this year at the school is “each one of us is responsible for creating a culture of positivity and kindness.”

“Our School Council will focus their efforts on this climate initiative as well as a district-wide initiative around meeting the needs of diverse learners through differentiated instruction that works,” he continued in the statement, adding that the school will also provide teachers with refreshers on concepts of responsive classroom.