The start of a new school year for Cranbury students is less than two weeks away – and the key word is new.
By:Brian Shappell
The start of a new school year for Cranbury students is less than two weeks away – and the key word is new.
When the Cranbury School opens Sept. 5, students will find everything from new computers, new teachers and curriculum to new amenities. Overall, the summer of 2000 saw the most changes in years for the school.
"About two-thirds of our school was under construction during the summer months," said Chief School Administrator Robert Bartoletti. "Everything is ready to go."
Changes made this summer include the hiring of seven new teachers, a new teaching assistant for the fifth grade, a secretary for the child study team; expanding to four computers in every classroom, and adding new ceilings, lights and air conditioning where it was previously unavailable.
"We’re continuing to raise the bar," said Vice Principal Carol Malouf. "We want to use the newest research and offer the best programs to the children."
Widespread curriculum changes are a key element in improving the school, Ms. Malouf said. Both the math and social studies departments will have new curriculums from kindergarten through eighth grade, along with a new reading program for students in grades one through five. School administrators also are working to expand the science programs.
"We’ve done a lot of curriculum revisions," Ms. Malouf said. "Teachers have worked hard this summer so they are ready to implement the revisions."
The seven incoming teachers will be leading classes in technology, French, science, computers and world language, as well as teaching grades two and four. The number of incoming teachers this year is above normal due to retirements, maternity leaves and educators taking outside positions.
But, teachers new and old may be faced with changes under the state requirement that educators participate in 100 hours of in-service training per year. Dr. Bartoletti said that wouldn’t pose a problem for those working in the school.
"We won’t have a problem with that," Dr. Bartoletti said. "Our teachers have always done quite a lot of in-service work."
One surprise this year is a slight drop in enrollment at the Cranbury School. The 2000-2001 academic year will start out with 542 students, seven fewer than last year, Ms. Malouf said. The lack of an increase was important.
"We don’t have space left in the building to expand the number of students, so it’s good news," Ms. Malouf said. "Some of the upper grade teachers are already sharing rooms."
Students will continue to have many extra-curricular programs available. However, the Board of Education this year worked to expand the available programs both in non-cut intramural sports and non-athletic pursuits such as the afterschool computer program.