Princeton Public Schools (PPS) look forward to starting the 2016-17 school year in just three weeks with more than 40 new staff members, including three new positions, and a number of new programs and approaches.

Nearly all the new staff members are filling positions of retirees or staff taking temporary leaves. The new positions will include an additional kindergarten teacher at Community Park, where enrollment is rising, an additional guidance counselor at Princeton High School, and С still to be hired С “an innovation and instructional technology specialist to support our teachers district-wide in the use of new technologies and learning approaches,” according to Superintendent Steve Cochrane. 

With a program review scheduled for Health and Physical Education, changes in the Athletic Program will include a clearly articulated philosophy regarding athletic participation, a new scheduling system, a new athletic webpage, online forms, a 6-12 program approach, integration of athletics with physical education, development of a coaching academy, development of an athletics handbook, and recommendations for future improvements in facilities.

Also implemented this year will be option 2 for physical education (PE), which allows JV and Varsity athletes in their junior and senior years the possibility of using their sports practices after school to fulfill their PE requirement.

Mr. Cochrane emphasized the district’s “focus on the integration of social emotional learning as well as a developmentally sound approach to physical literacy that will help to mesh PE with athletics.”

As a result of last year’s program review in social studies, this year’s program will include a pilot trial of a new textbook and resources in grades 3-5, new culturally diverse materials throughout the grade levels, an increased focus on Holocaust education, a movement away from AP social studies courses at the high school to a richer, more rigorous “advanced topics” model, and the development of new high school electives.

Citing the themes of differentiation and diversity throughout the district, Mr. Cochrane stated that all the staff will be “sharing existing strategies and -exploring new strategies to ensure that all students learn similar content, skills, and concepts but do so in ways that acknowledge their differing interests, learning profiles, and readiness levels. We believe this more differentiated approach to instruction and assessment will help engage every student and ensure that each one is optimally challenged.”

Mr. Cochrane emphasized the challenges for education in the current environment, stating, “We live in a time when empathy toward others and an understanding of different perspectives has never been more important. The Princeton Public Schools want, and need, to be leaders in this effort.”

He expanded on the value and importance of diversity in the district. “We will be coming together,” he added, “to celebrate the cultural richness of our community, expanding our outreach so that all families feel comfortable accessing the resources of our school system and building our institutional and individual responsiveness to students and families from a variety of racial, religious, cultural, and economic backgrounds.”

Other plans for the coming year include: a new website for district content and a new Learning Management System for communication among teachers, students, and parents; a K-12 program review of science; Green Teams, with a focus on recycling and composting; enhancement of the Peer Group Program for freshmen; expansion of the Dual Language Immersion Program at Community Park to now include grades K-2; a survey of parents regarding their use of tutoring and other outside supports; implementation of a family literacy center to support parents with their preschool-aged children; a review of community service to help build curricular connections and long-term commitment on the part of students; a review of the high school schedule to help optimize wellness, balance, and high-level learning; and a continuation of homework-free holidays.

Mr. Cochrane says these are just a few of many plans for the next five years, in working toward the district’s strategic planning goals “and to fulfill our mission to prepare all students to lead lives of joy and purpose as knowledgeable, creative, and compassionate citizens of a global society.” PPS will share its complete strategic plan with the community later in the fall.