When school doors open to students across the district next week—that's right, the first day of school is Thursday, Aug. 30—there will be some notable changes. For the first time in the district's history, its elementary schools will offer full-day kindergarten, a change the district has been planning for some time.

Also, three of the district's schools—Deep River Elementary School, Essex Elementary School, and John Winthrop Middle School—will be headed by new principals.

After more than two years of study and planning, the elementary school boards of education in all three towns proposed 2012-2013 fiscal year budgets that included full-day kindergarten. A full-day kindergarten could be accommodated in all three schools because of declining enrollments. Fewer students in grades 1 through 6 meant more space available for kindergartners. It also meant the ability of each school to absorb the costs.

As enrollments have declined, the school boards have cut staff, both teachers and paraprofessionals. With this continued decline, keeping a teacher and a paraprofessional on the staff meant little or no increased costs within the budget. The proposal also met with support from residents.

"We are very excited about this," said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Ruth Levy.

At Chester Elementary School, Principal Michael Barile said the staff was excited by the prospect of welcoming its kindergarten students for a full day rather than a half day.

"This is a terrific addition. Now our kindergarten students can take part in all the school's activities," he said.

For instance, these youngest students would be able to participate in the schoolwide enrichment programs. About to begin its second year, the enrichment program offers once-a-week "academies" for students with particular interests. It is a multi-grade effort led by a teacher with a similar interest.

Chester Elementary School will hold its fifth annual Social Development Day on Friday, Sept. 7, when students and teachers participate in a series of games and activities meant to build healthy relationships for the year to come. This year, Barile said, kindergarten students will be able to fully participate.

"Some of our biggest changes for the new school year have come administratively," Levy said. "And we are very fortunate. We have excellent people in place."

At Essex Elementary School, Scott Jeffrey, the new principal, will be welcoming students on the school's first day. Jeffrey has been busy through the past week meeting with teachers and staff and learning about his building. Jeffrey is a Connecticut native who, prior to his appointment at Essex Elementary, served as assistant principal for two years at a South Carolina elementary school. He also taught in Kensington and Farmington.

Jeffrey's appointment comes after the school's former principal, Dr. Joanne Beekley, was named assistant superintendent for the district. Beekley had been principal at the school for eight years. Her appointment as assistant superintendent came after Ian Neviaser, the former assistant superintendent, was named superintendent for the Lyme-Old Lyme school district.

Deep River Elementary School also has a new principal. Longtime Principal Dr. Jack Pietrick retired at the end of the last school year. A Deep River resident, Jennifer Byars, has been named principal.

There is one more new school principal in the district. He is William Duffy, principal at John Winthrop Middle School.

"I have heard great things about this district, this school, and its dynamic and professional staff. I am pleased to be here," he said last week.

Duffy previously served as an assistant principal at a middle school in Glastonbury. Since July 1 he has been meeting with staff, discussing curriculum development, and familiarizing himself with the school. He replaces David Russell, who retired June 30 after 40 years as a teacher and principal in the district. Russell, Duffy said, has been a great help in smoothing the transition.

Valley Regional High School welcomes its new freshmen class with a unique two-day orientation program that begins Tuesday, Aug. 28 with a full day of activities at Camp Hazen. The orientation is being organized in conjunction with Tri-Town Youth Services (see story on page 10.)

Levy said this year Valley will also introduce a new manufacturing program in conjunction with Whelen Engineering. Students will have the opportunity to explore career opportunities in a manufacturing environment and receive hands-on instruction.