A summer of planning new school initiatives

RED BANK - - While students relished their last days of summer freedom and parents were busily getting them ready for school, Red Bank Public Schools Superintendent Laura Morana opened her first "Conversations with the Superintendent" of the school year Aug. 30.

"We had a very busy summer," said Morana. "It's been a productive summer."

Although the turnout was small, Morana ran down the extensive list of new and enhanced programs and projects she and the other teachers had lined up for the school year and it became clear that her summer was active indeed.

She said the language arts literacy coaches were to be introduced Sept. 4 when they would make a presentation to teachers and be in class to lend support.

As for enrollment, Morana mentioned the addition of one pre-K class of 18 children, and one more kindergarten class of 20-21.

She said the schools are below the state average for how many students they have per class, with 20 per first-grade class, 22 per second, 21 per third, 20 per fourth and fifth, 18 to 19 per sixth, 28 per seventh grade and 18 per eighth grade.

Quality Single Accountability Continuum (QSAC) will be implemented this year as a way to establish a consistency in planning and instruction for teachers and students. It will also act as a way to help evaluate the school district, including a site visit from the county superintendent and other county officials.

"Everyone will be doing it the same way," said Morana. She added that all school administrators would be reviewing the teachers' plans and provide them with feedback.

The teachers, 10 of whom are new, will be able to review the instruction and highlight successes as well.

Tenured teachers will be reviewed every two weeks and those who are nontenured will be reviewed every week.

"Teachers need to hear from us how planning is coming along," said Morana.

Morana also noted there was a $100,000 anonymous donation to the schools that will be used to help integrate more technology into the schools, which the district has been doing through the Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) program that will start this school year.

"We are the only district with true integration with technology through the AVID program," said Morana.

Another program that will be enhanced through the donation will be the science program, according to Morana, adding that the strings program will return and will have a range of musical instruments.

"The interest is there," said Morana. "Our kids want to play the viola, the violin and the cello. I'm so delighted that the interest is there."

Another enhancement taking place this year will be an enhanced home school connection with a folder containing N.J. Curriculum Content Standards.

"It's a nice little guide for the family so they can know the expectation we have [for students]."

Morana also noted a three-year plan to replace the chalkboards at the primary school with whiteboards.

"[We are] just bringing our classrooms to the 21st-century standard," said Morana. She added that the anonymous donor is considering giving an additional $100,000 over three years.

A Saturday Academy will begin Oct. 15 to support those students who cannot go to the afternoon enrichment programs for homework help.

The middle school is teaming up with the Count Basie Theatre to bring drama to the school.

Drama will be an elective period open to all seventh- and eighth-graders, and a musical will help build a foundation for the students when they reach the high school level, according to Morana.

Students returned to school Sept. 6, where they will experience all these new programs.