Next Wednesday, Aug. 29 marks the beginning of a new school year, and it’s back to business as usual. Well, almost usual.

A few new things are in store for students returning to the North Haven School System. The first big change arrives with the school bus—this year, middle schoolers and high school students will ride together for the first time, with elementary school students arriving afterward. The change from a three-tier bus system to a two-tier system follows on a recommendation from the bus company. The company had trouble getting students to school on time last year—its first year of operation.

“They found that the time between the start of the days was very close and it wasn’t giving them sufficient time to do their runs,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Robert Cronin. “Invariably one of the buses was late.”

Other school districts have reported success with the two-tier system, which will see middle school students seated toward the front of the bus and high schoolers toward the back. Many high school students already don’t take the bus, or skip it in the afternoon due to after-school activities, said Cronin.

The change in transportation means an earlier start to middle school: it will now begin at 7:33 a.m., almost a half hour earlier than last year.

Another change will appear only in kindergarten and

grade-1 classrooms. The district is introducing a new mathematics program, Math in Focus.

“The program is designed to deepen students’ understanding of mathematics concepts,” Cronin commented.

Students will receive a new textbook and workbooks for Math in Focus. The program meets the Common Core Standards, a set of standards for math and language arts that the district must comply with by 2014.

“The standards spell out by grade level what it is that students need to know and be able to do, and this new math series is in line with that,” he said.

The Connecticut State Board of Education voted unanimously to adopt the Common Core Standards in 2010.

In terms of technology, North Haven classrooms will see several additions of SMART Boards, interactive whiteboards, and document cameras. Cronin described the latter as a more sophisticated projector that can project any physical document upon an overhead, eliminating the need for transparencies.

Special education students may see some changes, too. The middle school is unrolling a new special education program for students with autism. A teacher and support staff will work with a small group on academics and life skills.

“Our goal is to help them to be as independent and successful as possible,” said Cronin.

The school system has also made improvements to its curriculum.

“Over the past year we’ve done a fair amount of work in updating our curriculum,” said Cronin, who noted that it’s a continuous process. “I’m expecting that it’s going to be a very good year.”

Finally, the school district has increased the price of its school lunches. For more info about changes, including bus schedules and the new lunch prices, visit www.north-haven.k12.ct.us.