As September begins this week, the start of the school year will be here and students will be filing onto buses and into schools with their colorful backpacks and new school supplies.
The Tabernacle School District and Seneca High School are in full swing to get things ready for the school year and are excited for the students to be back.
“One of the benefits about being an educator is that you get to have two New Year’s Days every year. There is Jan. 1, but we get the opening of school also … It is a very exciting time when we celebrate New Years in education,” interim TSD Superintendent John M. Sherry said.
“The start of every school year is always a very exciting time. We welcome a new group of freshmen and a new senior class. We get to watch our upperclassmen continue their journey to two graduations — their first from Seneca and their second from a post-secondary education. Plus, we get to witness all the amazing things Seneca High School students do in the classroom, on the fields, in the arts and serving the community. The students of Seneca High School are just awesome,” Seneca Principal Jeffrey Spector said.
All schools begin on Sept. 6 with full days. Spring break will be April 14 through April 21. For a full list of school holidays, visit the schools’ websites. The last day for high school students is planned to be June 14, and, for students in kindergarten through eighth grade, June 19.
At each of the schools, there are a number of new things to expect for the 2016–2017 school year.
Tabernacle School District
The Tabernacle School District has been working hard to get upgraded technology-wise. The district has gone completely Apple-based over the summer. And at the middle school, there will be a one-to-one environment introduced where every student and teacher will have a computer to use throughout the school year in the classroom.
The middle school has also created an Integrated Science Technology Engineering and Math room. This coincides with the district wanting to incorporate an iSTEM program for students, preparing them for careers in science, math, engineering and technology. The room was created out of the old woodworking shop, turned maintenance facility and now an iSTEM room over the summer. The room has been emptied, cleaned, painted and prepared for this new school year.
Last year, Tabernacle Elementary School and Kenneth R. Olson Middle School tried out new hours of instruction, changing from beginning at 8 a.m. and ending at 2:30 p.m. to beginning at 8:45 a.m. and ending at 3:15 p.m. It was determined this timing did not work as well at the middle school, so the time schedule for it has changed back to 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Some district goals this year are looking into Next Generation Science and Language Arts and Literacy, and continuing the second year of two-year curriculum goals.
Across the district, there have been 21 changes or additions to staffing. Two major additions to the Tabernacle School District are a new superintendent and a new business administrator, but the names of the individuals have not yet been released. The hope is to have a special meeting on Aug. 31 at 7 p.m. at the middle school for these appointments. Additionally, Julia Sailer was appointed to the Board of Education over the summer. The schools are still interviewing for the positions of the supervisor of facilities and supervisor of transportation.
Back to School nights are Sept. 15 for Tabernacle Elementary School and Sept. 20 for Kenneth R. Olson Middle School.
Seneca High School
The high school is continuing its focus on supporting students to create and reach their goals of two graduations. It also is remaining focused on reinforcing positive and healthy decisions. This is highlighted by the Defy the Issue campaign. According to Spector, this is a message of maintaining a drug- and alcohol-free lifestyle that was created within the Lenape Regional School District.
“One initiative we remain very proud of is Prom House 110 Carranza. Hosted by our student council, this is a drug- and alcohol-free post prom party at Seneca High School,” Spector said. “The message is further supported by the Seneca Parents’ Group, which hosts meetings with current trends in our community and hosts the Seneca Send-Off, a post-graduation drug- and alcohol-free party.”
For construction, parents and students will notice security and lighting upgrades to the facility. While construction is not complete, Spector said there will be minimal impact on students and staff.
As for new administrative additions, former Seneca High School Teacher of the Year Dave Knecht has been added to the high school’s administrative team as supervisor of instruction.
Its back to school night is Oct. 6.
“We welcome our community to Seneca High School. Follow us on twitter @SenecaFamily,” Spector said.
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.tabschools.org or www.lrhsd.org/Domain/471.
Important Dates:
First Day of School: Sept. 6
Back to School Nights:
Tabernacle Elementary School: Sept. 15
Kenneth R. Olson Middle School: Sept. 20
Seneca High School: Oct. 6
Thanksgiving Recess: Nov. 24 and 25
Winter Break: Dec. 26 to Jan. 2
Spring Break: April 14 to 21
Last Day for 9–12 students: June 14
Last Day for K-8 students: June 19
