As September begins this week, the start of the school year will be here, and students will be walking down borough streets to get to school.
Haddonfield Public Schools staff are in full swing to get things ready for the school year and are excited for the students to be back.
“The principals and staff are looking forward to another wonderful year of learning and growth with our students. We are extremely proud of the students-centered schools that we cultivate and hope the students are as excited as we are for Sept. 6,” Central Elementary School Principal Shannon Simkis said.
“All of the Haddonfield district community is looking forward to a successful 2016–17 school year. Thank you to everyone throughout the community for your support that continues the Haddonfield school district’s tradition of educational excellence,” Superintendent Richard Perry said.
All schools begin with a half-day Sept. 6 and continue with full days Sept. 7. The schools will have off the usual holidays, and spring break will be April 10 through April 14. The last day for high school students is planned to be June 15, and, for students in kindergarten through eighth grade, June 16.
No major construction has taken place over the summer, as the bond referendum projects are not planned to start until next summer. Work on the communication systems, architectural drawings for bond referendum projects and the painting of Haddonfield Middle School by the community have been the projects done this summer.
At each school, there are a number of new things going on.
Elementary schools
The focus for this year at the elementary schools will be on formative assessment. According to the elementary school principals, formative assessment is a deliberate process used by teachers and students during instruction that provides actionable feedback to adjust ongoing teaching and learning strategies to improve students’ attainment of curricular learning targets or goals. Formative assessment is integrated throughout the lesson and day, and can be done effectively before, during and after the lesson.
“Using formative assessment in our classrooms maximizes student learning,” Lizzie Haddon Principal Gerry Bissinger said.
The elementary schools are adopting the latest version of Every Day Math, EM4. This program is aligned with Common Core standards and requires students to think critically and increase stamina in problem solving.
Also, all of the elementary schools are beginning a new program called “One Elementary School, One Book,” which is a school-based family literacy initiative created by the Read to Them organization. Its mission is to create a shared reading experience across an entire school community and to encourage families to read quality children’s novels aloud, together, at home. Every family and faculty member at all schools will be provided with a new copy of the same children’s novel. Currently, the books are a surprise.
“By implementing a district-wide shared reading experience, the ‘One Elementary School One Book’ program has the potential to instill a shared love of reading within our schools,” Tatem Principal Karen-Joy Schultz said. “The schools would like to thank the Zone PTA for funding this initiative.”
This year, 14 new staff members will be welcomed into the elementary schools. Back to school nights are Sept. 13 for Elizabeth Haddon Elementary School, Sept. 14 for Tatem Elementary School and Sept. 29 for Central Elementary School.
Middle School
Haddonfield Middle School will also be implementing several dynamic programs for its students. This upcoming school year, the Developmental Designs Program will be in its second year, focusing on meeting the unique developmental needs of adolescent students in a responsive and student-centered environment, according to Perry.
“Every member of the HMS school community will participate in a daily 20-minute advisory program designed to promote a positive school culture, relationship building and to develop social skills that middle school students need to become successful,” Perry said.
HMS also created a new school mascot, which will be used to develop school spirit activities and enhance school unity. Banners that were created and hung in the middle school feature the new mascot drawing, which was part of a contest open to all students last year.
“We are looking forward to the second year of the (Developmental Designs Program) at the middle school. Last year, we implemented daily community building morning meetings, and we will continue to build on the approach to strengthen the school culture in the middle school,” Principal Dennis Morolda said.
Additionally, HMS is continuing its focus on technology for students by adding a Chromebook cart of 28 units, a laptop cart of 28 units and smartboard technology in the classrooms. The middle school has added eight new staff members as well.
Its back to school night will be Sept. 21.
High school
This year at Haddonfield Memorial High School, the focus is on assessment and feedback. The high school staff will look at the how, when and implementation of assessments and what to do with that information, coupled with monitoring what type of feedback staff will provide.
“These two areas are strongly tied into student growth,” HMHS Principal Chuck Klaus said.
New programs at the high school include working with Kingsway Learning Center to institute a Community Based Instruction Program; a second AP computer science course; dance repertory and composition; dance fitness; social studies-Haddonfield and the Great War; and visual and performing arts-art history and visual culture.
The high school has nine new staff members, including a new assistant principal for student achievement, Kate Mele. Back to school night for the high school is Sept. 15.
The school district is looking forward to the first day of school on Sept. 6. Parents who wish to get involved are encouraged to contact their child’s school PTA and participate in upcoming events. For more information, visit www.haddonfield.k12.nj.us.
Important dates to know:
First Day of School: Sept. 6, half day
Back to School Nights:
Elizabeth Haddon Elementary School: Sept. 13
J. Fithian Tatem Elementary School: Sept. 14
Haddonfield Memorial High School: Sept. 15
Haddonfield Middle School: Sept. 21
Central Elementary School: Sept. 29
Thanksgiving Recess: Nov. 24 and 25
Winter Break: Dec. 26 to 30
Spring Break: April 10 to 14
Last Day for 9–12 students: June 15
Last Day for K-8 students: June 16
