The start of the school year is right around the corner. New back packs, sneakers, books, and the back to school excitement are all piled into one car where most parents are looking forward to their kids getting out of the house and back in the classroom. Before you send them off, Moorestown Superintendent Brian Betze wants to fill both parents and children in on what’s going on this school year.
There are no new changes to any of the policies and procedures or activities, but there is a possibility for a new after school program.
“We are looking at the possibility of creating an after-school academic academy for students,” said Betze. “We are always looking for different opportunities so parents should contact me if they have any ideas.”
Betze said the teachers and administrators are looking at a curriculum change. The national Core Content Standards and the Moorestown school curriculum will align to create a more efficient and up to date curriculum.
“The staff works on updating and revising all content areas each year in order to stay in front of current trends and changes in the field,” Betze said.
So far, no new construction is being done or has been done on the schools, but improvements should always be taken into consideration.
“There are no new building renovations occurring this year. However, in my travels throughout the buildings, the district may need to explore some facility improvements in the next few years,” Betze said.
Transitioning into a new atmosphere is difficult. It’s a scary feeling to start at the bottom as a new student in a new school, but there is help to get both parents and children through.
The first day of school for all students is Sept. 6. The district offers a transition day for children in kindergarten, fourth grade, seventh grade and ninth grade, Sept. 5. Transition day is there to help students adjust to a new building. Parents are advised to check the school’s webpage considering events vary from school to school.
Betze also has advice for children going to a new school and parents who will worry about their children.
“The principals and teachers are right there to help anyone who may need assistance,” said Betze. “Come to school prepared to work hard and give it your best effort every day.”
As the new Moorestown school district superintendent, Betze is looking forward to the school year.
“I am anticipating an excellent year for staff, students and parents,” Betze said.
New technological feature for the Board of Education
During the Board of Education meeting, school business administrator and board secretary Lynn Shugars started off the meeting with something new — the beginning of paperless meetings, Tuesday, Aug. 21. Although the entire meeting wasn’t completely paperless, Shugars said the plan is for the board members to use iPads for every meeting instead of printing out large amounts of paper.
“[We] decided to use the iPad because of its battering life,” Shugars said.
The iPad is also easier to set up than a computer said Shugars. It will also give the board members a chance to access the agendas quickly and have more time to review agendas before meetings.
Board members as well as parents are asked to provide any feedback when accessing the meeting agendas.
“I think it’s a step in the right direction,” Betze said.
It will take a while for the board members to get used to viewing and accessing the agendas from the iPads, but Shugars said there would be a paper copy of the agenda when requested. She is hoping that the meeting will be completely paperless by the September meeting.
“If we don’t start, we are never going to get used to it,” Moorestown Board of Education President, Don Mishler said.
