Trumbull High to Open with Altered Schedule

Trumbull Schools Supt. Ralph Iassogna has released the following information about the opening of school.

1)     The first student day is Aug. 27. But recently, the following memo was issued:

• Monday, August 27, 2012

Opening Day of School for all students and staff.
Only the schedule will be altered as follows:
Grades 10– 12 Students: Legal Day Schedule 7:25 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Grade 9 Students: Will remain until 2:25 p.m. to participate in the Link Crew Orientation Program. Bus transportation also will be provided at that time.

• Tuesday, August 28, and Wednesday, August 29, 2012

PreK – 8: Regular School Day Schedule
THS, Grades 9 – 12 Students: Legal Day Schedule 7:25 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

• Thursday, August 30, 2012 and Forward

2)     There are 6,877 students as of 8/2/12

3)     In 2011-12, we had the following staff, which is similar for this year.

Central Office & School Administrators

24.15

Classroom Teachers & Specialists

535.80

Calendar Year Secretaries

28.00

School Year Secretaries

16.13

Custodians & Supervisor

55.25

Maintenance Workers & Supervisor

15.50

Paraprofessionals (including PPS and Misc.)

148.20

Curriculum Mat./Tech. Specialist

10.00

Other (Security Guards, OT/PT, etc.

12.00

Total

845.03

4)     The student/teacher ratio in the elementary schools is based on a class size guideline for kindergarten at 20, grades 1 and 2 at 22, and grades 3 – 5 at 25.  The guidelines that the school district strives for in grades 6 – 12 is 25 and our classes be consistent with these numbers.

5)   

• In 2012-2013, the Trumbull Board of Education is embarking on a new initiative that will benefit all kindergarten students, academically and socially – Full Day Kindergarten.  As such, strengthening this foundation is an investment in the child’s opportunity for making early gains in reading, language arts, mathematics, and social relationships.  The concept of “prevention before intervention” is a pragmatic approach to (1) providing additional early childhood resources for value added dividends that are realized throughout the K-12 continuum for all students; and (2) reducing intervention costs that are incurred on an annual basis.

        Full day kindergarten programs provide academic and social offerings that cannot be delivered in a half-day program.  The additional time is necessary to      (1) adequately emphasize language development and appropriate pre-literacy experiences; (2) focus on experiential learning and higher order thinking as opposed to “lock-step” learning (teaching for understanding requires time); and (3) develop children’s social skills, including conflict resolution strategies. 

• In addition, the district will augment its commitment to Tools for Schools, a statewide program to assist schools in enhancing indoor air quality.

6)     Every elementary school, the two middle schools, and the high school are committed to the district plan for continuous strengthening of school climate in concert with statewide emphasis on school bullying and climate.  The 2012-2013 school year will begin with this topic as the focus of an in-service session for all teachers and administrators.

Dr. Jo Ann Freiberg, the session facilitator, is an education consultant with the Connecticut State Department of Education.  Her expertise is in the area of moral and character education, professional ethics, and multicultural education.  Dr. Freiberg’s work has provided a foundation for Trumbull Board of Education policies and regulations regarding school climate, character education, and the prevention of bullying.

Finally, the THS Renovate as New Project should be completed and provide an enhanced environment for students and staff.