ALLENTOWN — Students are back in school, and this school year rang in with several changes.
Louise San Nicola, the Upper Freehold Regional School District’s public information officer, gave a report on the 2009-10 district initiatives.
Among the initiatives is the implementation of electronic curriculum mapping to facilitate the “journey of the child” from grades pre-K to 12. The district will also implement the Teachers College Reading and Writing Project (TCRWP), Columbia University, and other professional development programs to assist staff in being more accomplished leaders. A new five-year district strategic plan will also begin this school year, according to San Nicola.
Special service initiatives include the expansion of the Transition Math and Science curriculum and other specialized programs. Students with Individual Education Plans (IEPs) at Allentown High School will also be exposed to TCRWP. The inclusive pre-school program has also been expanded, San Nicola said.
At the Newell Elementary School, the Soaring High Redbirds program will recognize student good deeds and Envisions Math, which uses SmartBoards and interactive software will commence.
The Stone Bridge Middle School staff and students will kickoff the Anti-Bullying Coalition (ABC), which is an internationally renowned program that aims to reduce bullying.
The new middle school, which is scheduled to open next September, is currently on time and under budget in its construction. The structure is 55 percent complete to date.
The Allentown High School will start an Athletic Hall of Fame by inducting its first members this fall, and continue its Academic Hall of Fame with a second induction later this year.
Major improvements were made to the soccer/lacrosse fields, which now have sod and irrigation.
The school district will continue making the “Fireside Chats” available on the district website, www.ufrsd.net. AHS students in Carl Schaubauer’s video production classes develop the spots by writing questions, conducting interviews, videotaping, editing and posting them on the website. The spots feature discussions with the superintendent, other school administrators and members of the community.