School Space Reconfigured for All-Day Kindergarten
• Officials Promise Work Will Be Finished by September
Jul 30, 2010 – Despite a multitude of challenges ranging from construction projects to re-designing classroom space and the hiring new teachers, Nutley's two top school officials say the expansion to the town's first all-day kindergarten sessions will be flawless for September's opening day.
"This has been a long time coming and we certainly can assure that opening day will be as flawless as possible," Mariana Francioso, assistant superintendent of schools says. She along with Superintendent Joseph Zarra this week escorted NJHometown on a tour of Nutley's five elementary schools where new textbooks are arriving, kindergarten furniture is being assembled, and prospective teachers are undergoing interviews – all while classroom and office space is physically being redesigned.
"One thing that can be assured is any additional furniture and supplies that we might require will be where they need to be well before opening day," Francioso said. Some final interviews of teachers are scheduled to take place in August.
Despite the Board of Education's not formally agreeing until July 6 that Nutley would offer an all-day kindergarten this fall, Superintendent Zarra says the decision came early enough to permit to permit elementary school principals and staff to plan for a "normal" reopening in September.
"Especially now when we are hiring and interviewing new teachers, we all need to be on the same page," Francioso said. "This has been a long time coming and we want no issues. We will strive for this to be as flawless as possible. We opened our autistic program to a big success, and we anticipate the same here."
Office and closet space in some schools are being combined or reconfigured to enable existing kindergarten classrooms to be enlarged to accommodate double the number of pupils in September when half-day sessions no longer will be offered.
At Yantacaw School, an existing art room is being transformed into a kindergarten classroom. Art classes at Yantacaw in September will be transferred into an annexed trailer previous used for the extended day program.
The redesigned areas in all schools involve plumbing issues such as access to drinking water and bathrooms.
"We've also worked it out so there will be no overcrowding in the lunchroom," Francioso said. Beginning in September, all kindergarten youngsters will be dismissed at 11:20 a.m., 10 minutes earlier than last semester. "This will allow any needs for extra help with milk or lunch, and make sure that eating and recess are not problematic."
At the Spring Garden School, the heating, ventilation and window renovations were still being completed this week.
This past Tuesday, Zarra and Francisco met with all principals to discuss academics and procedures for classroom breaks for lunch, rest and bathroom visits. Another special meeting for new hires is planned for later in August.
(NJHometown is preparing a follow-up report dealing with the removal of asbestos in the schools.)
