Jackson schools ready to welcome students

BY DAVE BENJAMIN
Staff Writer

JACKSON - School bells are ringing all over Jackson for approximately 9,800 students who will return to classes on Sept. 6.

In addition to adding a new high school, Jackson Liberty, to its roster of buildings this year, the Jackson school district is adding some new opportunities for students and parents to get involved in the educational process.

"Obviously, the opening of Jackson Liberty High School is the biggest change for us this year, but there are a number of exciting things that will be going on during the course of the year," Superintendent of Schools Thomas Gialanella said. "Right now we're looking forward to bringing the students back to school and launching a great school year."

Gialanella said administrators are excited to present a new series of parent workshops designed to strengthen the connection between home and school.

"That connection is vital to students' success and we're looking forward to giving our parents and guardians the tools they need to enhance their child's learning process after the school day ends," he said.

The parent workshops are called "Parent Intervention Nights" and they will be held at each elementary school during the course of the year. The content and features are being designed by the district's math and literacy supervisors and will feature creative ways for parents to learn what goes on during the school day and how they can help their children do even better in school.

For older students, the guidance department has also expanded a series of parent information workshops to offer more opportunities for parents to learn about the college admission, financial aid and application processes.

"We traditionally held one or two evening events where parents could choose from several information sessions about the college process," said Laura Wheaton, director of guidance. "This year we are breaking each of those sessions out into its own event so our parents and guardians don't have to choose one session over another."

Board of Education President Linda Lackay said she hopes parents will take advantage of the opportunities they will be given to engage in their children's education.

"Of course it is our job to do all we can to educate our students and we take that responsibility very seriously," Lackay said. "But there is so much to be gained by making sure we are tapping all the resources that are available to our students. We have them during the school day, but we're eager to share techniques and information that can help that learning continue in the home as well."

Lackay said the beginning of the school year is always an exciting time.

"When September comes around and the students and staff come back, the halls are filled with such promise," she said. "The Board of Education is looking forward to a year that sees that promise turn into a passion for learning that lasts throughout the entire year."

Among the staff changes parents and students will see in September are:

+ Rosenauer School Principal Barry Rosenzweig is retiring as of Sept. 1. The new principal at Rosenauer will be Michael Raymond, who has been the assistant principal of the Crawford-Rodriguez Elementary School for the past few years.

+ Raymond will be replaced in his position at Crawford-Rodriguez by Adriann Jean-Denis.

+ Following the retirement of Switlik School Assistant Principal William Marshall this summer, the new assistant principal at Switlik will be Elaine Simpson, a former teacher who has served for the past few years as the coordinator of community services and grant writer for the district.

+ Robert Connor will join the Jackson Memorial High School administrative team as an assistant principal. Connor has served as assistant principal of the Holman School for several years.

Jackson Memorial High School will add a new course to its curriculum for juniors and seniors. Under the direction of teacher William Wheeler, a forensics class will be offered for the first time The course will focus on hands-on experiments and labs and was popular with students who saw the course description last spring as they were choosing their classes for the 2006-07 school year, according to administrators.

"We had all six sections fill up immediately, with 30 kids in each class," Wheaton said. "The response has been just phenomenal. I think it is going to be a big hit with the students and a great chance for us to bring a great science-based elective to our repertoire of courses."

All teachers will report on Sept. 1 and to kick off the school year the district will hold an in-service training session for all staff members in grades K-12 on Sept. 5 at Jackson Liberty High School.