By Natalia Knochowski, Staff Writer
Jamesburg, Cranbury and Monroe Township superintendents are preparing for a new school year with a few program and staff cuts, but vow to provide great education to their districts’ students.
The first day of school for students in Jamesburg and Cranbury is Sept. 7 and Sept. 2 for those in Monroe.
Jamesburg Superintendent of Schools Gail Verona acknowledged that a lot of programs at Grace M. Breckwedel Middle School and John F. Kennedy School had been cut.
This included the instrumental music program at GMB, the library programs at JFK and GMB, including two librarian positions, computer programs at GMB and JFK, including two computer positions, after-school programs and sports programs.
In terms of staff, the school lost a few part-time teachers and about six or seven full-time teachers. But Vice Principal Wendy Sloter, who worked at both GMB and JFK last year, will be working full time at GMB this year.
Ms. Verona said she feels positive this year because many positive outcomes have arisen from the negative ones.
For example, because of the closing of the school-based libraries, Jamesburg schools have created a relationship with the Jamesburg Library for the students.
In addition, although the computer programs have been cut, teachers throughout the schools have incorporated more technology into their individual classes to compensate.
”We had to prioritize and, as always, what’s important is instruction,” she said.
She added, “Our focus is always student achievement.”
Therefore, there will be a stronger focus on literacy in both schools. In particular, there will be a new reading coach at JFK.
Jamesburg schools will continue their affiliation with Rutgers University and its Rutgers Initiative for Improving Student Achievement program, which Ms. Verona said aims to improve student achievement by providing staff with professional development in literacy and mathematics.
This will be the fourth year of the program.
Jamesburg schools also will continue training for teachers for the school’s literacy program, which stresses and combines reading and writing as one subject when in the past, the subjects had been taught separately.
”It’s a holistic approach,” she said about the program.
The crisis management program will be different this year as well. There will be a fire drill each month, and there will be a secondary drill. The secondary drill will cover situations such as what would happen if there is a bomb scare in the school, what would happen if there is a shooter in the school or what would happen if the school has to have a lockdown.
Teachers were trained for the new crisis management program their first day back, which was Thursday.
Ms. Verona said there is a heightened awareness of crisis situations, and now everyone will be more aware of what to do.
As for new initiatives, parents and students can look forward to the incorporation of character education programs in both schools to teach against bullying and stress acting with integrity.
In addition, the administration at GMB is looking to enhance the school’s discipline program. Ms. Verona said she and the principal will be working with a consultant on new strategies for disciplining students.
Jamesburg schools are attempting to go green. The schools are in the process of putting school material, such as policies and handbook information, online to eliminate the cost of paper.
”We’re known for doing a lot with a little,” Ms. Verona said. “Despite a loss of money, we’re going to do well this year.”
She added, “We — the administrative team — we’ve been meeting over the summer, preparing what we think will be a great year with new ways of providing education.”
Student enrollment at Jamesburg has increased from 667 students last year to 672 for the 2010-11 school year.
Over in Cranbury, Chief School Administrator John Haney of Cranbury School said the school will have the same core program offerings, but there will be a reduction of teaching time.
”The budget was reduced, and staff and board have worked together to maintain standards,” he said.
Therefore, some clubs and sports have been cut. This includes girls softball and boys wrestling, and book clubs.
In addition, there have been teacher cuts in certain areas.[mrh: where?: ]
Since it is a lean budget year, it was difficult to create any new initiatives within the school’s curriculum, Mr. Haney said. However, the school is looking to continue teaching its students based on their individual levels. This means, that if there are 10 children that are on one level in a class, and then 10 other children on another level within the same class, each child will be taught appropriately.
Each child’s level is figured out through assessments and teacher observation, he said. Mr. Haney also said the school is focusing on the theme of respect this year in order to “reinforce the positive behaviors and emphasize the importance of respecting each other and being tolerant.”
According to Mr. Haney, the ultimate goals at Cranbury School are to make sure the needs of every student of the 597 enrolled this year, which is a two student increase from last year, are met to give every child opportunity to grow and to maintain the high standards of the schools.
Monroe Township schools also witnessed a few teacher cuts this year.
According to Monroe Township Superintendent of Schools Kenneth Hamilton, the school had to cut world language teachers from its elementary language program this year.
The Board of Education is looking into alternatives, such as online programs, for the elementary world language program. This will be discussed further at the next board meeting on Sept. 15. In addition, Monroe schools will continue their reading initiative, Dr. Hamilton said. This year, all second-grade teachers are being trained. Last year, it was third-grade teachers.
”We’ve reduced some power professionals in terms of teaching staff, some retired, and there are some new hires. It’s the status quo,” he said.
A chemical hygiene program, which began about a year ago and aims to create an inventory of chemicals and science equipment at MTHS and Applegarth School, is continuing.
”It’s a protocol we’ve implemented to be ecologically and economically responsible and to reduce chemicals to move into the new building,” Dr. Hamilton, said of the move to the new high school. The new high school building, being constructed for about $125 million at Thompson Park, is scheduled to open next September.
Dr. Hamilton also said one day this year, there will be a mock schedule for middle school students at Monroe Township High School, which next year will be the township’s new middle school. High school students will have a half day, then middle school students will come into the high school the rest of the day in an attempt to practice the transition into the new school.
There are 5,600 students are enrolled in Monroe Township for the year,.

