First, Joseph Henry Elementary School’s hours will change to 8 a.m. to 2:40 p.m. making the elementary school’s hours the same as the junior/senior high school’s hours. The opportunity to shift the elementary school’s hours is made possible due to the consolidation of the school bus runs.
In addition to saving the district money, consolidating the bus runs allows the elementary school to offer three hours of uninterrupted academic time before lunches begin.
Enrichment opportunities would then be available to all students after school along with homework help and a late bus for any student wishing to take part in these extracurricular activities.
By restructuring its kindergarten team, the elementary school will incorporate a co-kindergarten. Co-kindergarten will be for students entering kindergarten that may need an additional year to grow before beginning traditional kindergarten.
A science lab for all students to use to enhance their studies will be built and the restructuring of the library media specialist’s schedule will allow for more support on project-based learning through technology. The elementary school plans to begin using a co-teaching model where all students will be able to learn in their least restrictive environment. In addition, the elementary school will provide blocked time enabling them to offer enrichment to students that are excelling in math and reading while offering additional support to learners that need further skills development.
At the Galway Junior/Senior High School, students will see an increase in the rigor of the educational program, more electives, new Distance Learning and University in the High School courses in the 2013–14 school year.
Other additions to the junior/senior high schedule include honors sections for core courses in grades 7–12 and an increased emphasis on college and career readiness at the junior high level. The junior/senior high school will also be launching the Career Majors and Freshman Transition programs for incoming ninth grade students.
