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08/16/2016 12:00 AMA new middle school, an upgrade to technology in the classroom and new staff members will greet North Haven students when they return to school on Thursday, Sept. 1.
Advanced technology will be available to students, according to Superintendent of Schools Dr. Robert Cronin, including white boards, computers, and laptops currently in place. Cronin said that the school system is increasing access to technology by adding a block of computer time at the elementary school level, and having Wi-Fi access available in all classrooms.
“The big goal is that by the time children enter middle school they should have keyboarding skills and they will have learned to be able to use the computer, so that once they start middle school they use the computer to learn,” said Cronin.
Cronin said he believes that this “huge step” in the use of classroom technology will enrich the classroom experience.
“A lot of what we do in all areas, we will be able to access it online. A lot of publishing companies have an online component,” Cronin said. “That helps meeting the needs of all learners in the class.”
The new North Haven Middle School will incorporate all these advances from the ground up. According to Building and Grounds Supervisor Philip Diana, the new building will have 290 new laptops, 100 new desktops, state-of-the-art science rooms, and Wi-Fi accessibility in every classroom.
Phase one of the project, construction of the new academic wing, is complete and is expected to open on the first day of school, Cronin said. Phase Two of the project, which is the remodeling of the new cafeteria, and Phase Three, the reconstruction of the new auditorium and gym, are expected to be completed over the next year.
“The ultimate goal is to ensure that our middle school is state-of-the-art and up to new standards,” said Diana. “It’s really been designed really well.”
North Haven Middle School Principal Philip Piazza said this new building is a “huge improvement” from what students and teachers had in the past.
“The kids have access now to things they never did,” giving the school the ability to offer new classes to students, Piazza said.
The new classes include a family and consumer class and more electives in the Art Department.
“The possibilities are endless. It’s definitely opened up our ability to offer more to the kids,” Piazza said. “The technology that we’re going to have at our fingertips is the most exciting.”
With these changes to technology and renovations to the middle school, there will also be new additions and changes in staff across the district. Among the new hires is Kathryn Russo, the new principal at Montowese Elementary School who replaces Mary Federico; a new guidance counselor at the high school level; and five new intervention counselors at both the middle and high schools. Cronin said that the school system is in the process of hiring a new athletic director and two new technology teachers at the elementary school level.
With these new hires, North Haven High School Assistant Principal Sandra Prenata said she is confident the schools will be able to continue to work toward their goal of “supporting students in being successful.” Prenata said that with the new counselor on staff, students now have better access to their counselors than in previous years.
“You know they really do have a big role in the school,” Prenata said. “We have roughly 1,100 students, and their caseloads will be smaller, which will help them give students more attention.”
With all of these changes on the horizon, however, the ultimate goal of the North Haven Public School system remains the same, according to Cronin.
“Our top priority in North Haven is in the area of teaching and learning, and making certain that the best of our ability that our students are successful,” Cronin said.