The Dunkirk Board of Education heard updates about preparation for the upcoming school year at a Tuesday meeting.

The district has already held orientation for kids who will be attending the reconfigured Middle School, according to Superintendent Mike Mansfield. Students from grades three through six will now be attending that school, with grades seven through 12 at the high school.

School 4, formerly an elementary school, will now be filled with non-profit organizations’ programs in an early childhood education center. Mansfield said partners have been lined up and are finalizing lease agreements with the district. SUNY Fredonia’s Community Child Care Center for pre-kindergarten through third-graders is on schedule to open in September, while its day care program for infants and toddlers should open in September or October.

In addition, the Boys and Girls Club will be using space in the building starting in September. A center for autistic children is also planned, but that won’t be ready until July 2022.

Mansfield said the list of positions to be filled by the district for the upcoming year is almost satisfied. “We keep whittling it down to get ready to start the school year,” he said.

The 2021-22 school year starts Sept. 7 and “Welcome Back Marauders” signs are getting offered by the district for people to put on their homes or businesses. A picnic to welcome the start of the school year is set for Aug. 24 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Point Gratiot.