PLUMSTED – Classes are back in session for 1,500 pupils in the Plumsted Township School District.
And the 2015-16 school year marks the debut of full-day kindergarten in the district.
According to a presentation posted on the district’s website, Plumsted was the last school district in Ocean County to approve full-day kindergarten.
The Jackson and Toms River school districts also started full-day kindergarten this month. Officials in those districts approved the change from half-day kindergarten to fullday kindergarten early in the 2014-15 school year, according to the presentation.
Interim Superintendent of Schools Stephanie Bilenker said she is excited about the new school year.
“During the summer months, the school administrators and support staff have planned and prepared for an exciting and eventful school year,” Bilenker said in a letter to parents. “I am looking forward to working with the staff and providing an enjoyable and successful year for all students.”
Administrators are implementing a number of curriculum changes as part of the district’s ongoing five-year curriculum plan.
The school year will feature a social studies pilot program for kindergarten pupils and a language arts literacy and foundations phonics program for kindergarten and first grade pupils.
Classes aimed at advancing the science, technology, engineering and mathematics program will be included at the New Egypt Primary School and at the Dr. Gerald H. Woehr Elementary School.
At the New Egypt Middle School, pupils in grades six through eight will have new language arts literacy and science courses.
Curriculum changes at New Egypt High School include the addition of advanced placement courses in chemistry, statistics, U.S. government/politics, mathematics and English and composition.
Students in grades seven through 12 will have a new Novel Alignment program. Administrators said new books and resources for the media centers were purchased to “enhance the reading selections for all students.”
Students in grades two through 12 now have access to “current leveled non-fiction articles in all content areas” with the implementation of a program called Achieve 3000.
District officials announced the hiring of 13 new teachers, four new support staff members and one new administrator.
Earlier this year, the Board of Education approved a capital improvement budget of $453,000 for 2015-16. Work will include the replacement of the heating and air conditioning system in the high school auditorium, the replacement of carpeting with tiles in the middle school hallways, and sidewalk repairs at the high school.