Several new initiatives await Mat-Ab students

BY MICHELLE ROSENBERG
Staff Writer

ABERDEEN — The Matawan-Aberdeen Regional School District is full of new beginnings as the 2005-06 school year approaches.

First, the district is excited about the first full year of its reorganization plan. Cliffwood, Ravine Drive and Strathmore Elementary schools will all house kindergarten through grade three, Lloyd Road will house grades four and five, the middle school will be grades six, seven and eight and Matawan Regional High School will house students in grades nine-12.

The district did a trial run of the reorganization plan last year, but this will be the first full year it is in effect, Quinn said.

Also, the district’s enrichment program will now be offered for grades two-five. Last year only second- and fourth-graders were offered the program, he said.

Quinn said the program is designed to give advanced students more of an opportunity to challenge themselves.

Also, the district has adopted a new reading and language arts curriculum for the elementary schools. Also, all first graders in the district will be offered math recovery to help students who are struggling in the subject, he said. The math recovery program was piloted last year, and its success has led to it being offered in all three elementary schools, he said.

The high school will also have a wealth of changes. More advanced placement (AP) classes will be offered, and students will have some new sport teams to join.

Bowling will be offered as a winter sport and golf will be offered as a spring sport, Quinn said. He said the district received very positive feedback from students on the new sports.

The district is also proud to introduce the high school’s new dance program, he said. The district purchased new handrails, mirrors and locker rooms, and hired a new teacher, among other things for the program. Students will now be able to take dance instead of gym, or as a performing arts elective, he said.

“We’re really excited about that,” he said.

The Board of Education also recently authorized the concept of a gymnastics program, which would be paid for by the team members at no cost to the district. This will give team members the opportunity to compete under the Matawan Regional name, Quinn said. The board is expected to vote on a final resolution at its September meeting.

Another change in the district is the mandatory photo identification cards that are required to be worn at all times by students in grades six-12. High school students will receive color-coordinated ID cards according to what lunch period they have, Quinn said.

The district has also had a number of personnel changes.

The high school has a new principal, Michael D’Anna, who came over from the Cliffwood Elementary School. Kelly Bera, who was a teacher in the district, is now the principal at Cliffwood, Quinn said.

The high school also has two new assistant principals, David Healy and Frank Liotti. They will join Patricia Phillips, who is also an assistant principal at the school.

Joseph Martucci, who was formerly an assistant principal at the high school, will be returning to his position as the director of athletics.

The district also said good-bye to Caroline Pond, who retired from her position as the director of special programs at the Cambridge Park School, which houses the district’s pre-school program. Wayne Spells will be taking over her position.

Quinn said the district also hired a director of security, Richard Vitaliano. Vitaliano will work as a liaison for the district and the Aberdeen Police Department.

Each school in the district also has a number of new teachers, Quinn said.

High school freshman attended an orientation on Aug. 31. School opens for all students in the district with half-day sessions today and tomorrow. Sept. 12 will be the first full day of classes, Quinn said.