With Minot Forest Elementary School now moved inside a wing of Wareham Middle School, administrators have taken steps to ease the transition for parents and students.

“We want to make sure we keep our identity,” said Principal Joan Seamans.

The move happened this summer after School Committee members and administrators opted to close the half century old building as a cost-saving measure in light of lackluster municipal revenues. Also, the former Minot Forest Elementary building is beset with structural problems, which would require significant upgrades for security, electrical wiring and fire safety.

Seamans said she fielded concerns from parents on transportation, recess and the fact Minot’s third and fourth graders will be in the same building as middle school students once classes start on Wednesday, Aug. 29.

Regarding the middle school students, Seamans said there will be little if any interaction between them and Minot students.

“There’s no reason for the upper grades to be in our wing,” she said. Seamans added that bus drop off, lunch and recess times between the two schools are all staggered. Buses with middle school students arrive at 7:30 a.m. and leave at approximately 2 p.m. Minot students will arrive at 8:20 a.m. and be dismissed at 2:40 p.m.

By mid October, a new playground just for third and fourth grade students will be installed near Minot’s wing of the middle school, located at the end of the tennis courts behind the building.

Seamans said staff members are looking forward to teaching in the new, modern classrooms, which feature more natural light. The move will also change how the school handles its unified arts curriculum including art, physical education and health. Instead of focusing on one subject for an entire year, students will take one of those classes each term, which is in line with the middle school’s schedule. There are three terms per year.

“This will give our students an opportunity to learn about more subjects during the year,” said Seamans.

Overall, Seamans said faculty and staff are looking forward to starting the new year in a new building. However, she said she hopes the change isn’t long term.

Officials are working to get plans approved by the Massachusetts School Building Authority for a new, combined elementary school where the former Minot is located. Plans call for completing a design in time for voters to consider approving a debt exclusion at the October 2018 Town Meeting. If approved, Wareham voters would have to OK funding the school during the state’s Nov. 6 election as a ballot question. The debt exclusion would raise taxes on residents to pay for the project for the life of the debt.

“We’re very pleased with the differences between the old building and our new home, but we’re hoping this is temporary and a new school is in out future,” said Seamans.