When schools open on Thursday, Aug. 30, students, parents, and staff will see some changes as the district introduces some new projects and works to strengthen and fortify past projects.

According to Superintendent of Schools, Ruth Levy, this school year marks the second for District 4 in developing the central concept of focusing on critical and creative problem solving for all grade levels, as well as clarifying the assessment philosophy of the district and auditing the use of assessment resources to ensure they are consistently applied throughout the district.

“Last year we spent a lot of time explaining what this strategic plan is and helping people to understand it and how it was going to work,” said Levy. “This year we will focusing more on implementing the program.”

Building on the blocks of past work, Levy explained that this October will mark Valley Regional High School’s final visit from the International Baccalaureate (IB) Program. Currently Valley Regional is an IB candidate school awaiting authorization to become an IB world school.

“It is looking very promising that we will become an IB school. We are very hopeful,” said Levy.

The IB Program provides a challenging two-year curriculum for juniors and seniors designed to promote mastery of multi—disciplinary content, critical thinking skills, international mindedness, and personal growth.

Students who successfully complete all the program requirements receive an IB diploma, recognized as a standard of high achievement both nationally and internationally by colleges and universities. Universities offer college credit for successful completion of IB higher courses in high school.

“It would be a great honor to have Valley Regional become an IB school, so we are hoping that this year that will happen,” said Levy.

In other school news, there will be a few new faces in the halls of the District 4 schools, including Stephanie Carvin at the Chester Elementary School as the new 0.3 library media specialist; Allison Ortola, who will be the new school nurse at Deep River Elementary School; Christie Ruel, who will be the new 6th-grade teacher at Essex Elementary School; Mary Beth Acevedo, the 0.8 Spanish teacher at John Winthrop Middle School; Kori Milardo, a new school counselor at Valley Regional High School; Cheryl Albaine, the new high school Spanish teacher; and Renee Fragola, a high school math teacher.

District wide, Hill Gbunblee will be a special education teacher. Jennifer Larkin and Kyle Fitch will be the new talented and gifted program teachers.

In addition, after a 20-year run, Bruce Glowac retired as the Region 4 Director of Facilities. Centerbrook resident Leigh Rankin has stepped into the position. With an office located at John Winthrop Middle School, Rankin has already jumped into her new job and helped to oversee the new driveway project at the school.

“Leigh is an incredible powerhouse and we are so lucky to have her,” said Levy

Rankin served as a Region 4 Board of Education member for five years. She also served at the Coast Guard Academy and has a B.A. and master’s degreein civil engineering.

“She has a vast amount of experience and knows the mechanics and construction of the schools inside and out. We know she will be an asset,” Levy said.

“Everything is looking good as we begin the 2018-’19 school year. We are excited about having our strategic plan in place, and we are excited about starting the year will all of our seasoned, excellent administrators in place,” Levy said. “We are hoping this will be our most successful year ever for our students, staff, parents and families.”