Superintendent’s Message: Welcome to the 2024-2025 School Year

Dear Washington Borough School District Families,

I hope this message finds you well and that you have enjoyed a wonderful summer. As we prepare to welcome our students back to school, I am excited to share some important updates for the upcoming school year.

First Day of School

The new school year will begin on Tuesday, September 3, 2024. This year, we are implementing a significant change to our schedule that we believe will benefit our students and families alike. For the first time, all students at both Taylor Street and Memorial School will start their day at the same time, with homerooms opening starting at 8:15 AM.  Not to worry!!  There will be ample time to get to both schools due to additional staff who will support early arrivers starting at 7:40 AM.  More details will be coming out from Principal Jenkins at Memorial School and Dr. Johnson at Taylor Street School as well as on the Ready to Learn information page.

Preschool Time Change

We are making a significant adjustment to the preschool schedule this year. Previously, preschool began at 9:00 AM, but starting this year, preschool will begin at 8:15 AM, aligning with the start time for all other students, and will end at 2:15 PM.

Due to the late notice of this time change, we are offering a free month of aftercare for preschool students from 2:15 PM to 2:45 PM, which is the normal dismissal time for all other students. After the first month, families who continue to need aftercare from 2:15 PM to 2:45 PM may do so for a low-cost fee. Additionally, regular aftercare through WCSSD, as offered in prior years, will continue to be available.

Ready to Learn Initiative 

To support our students in being prepared and energized for their day, we are thrilled to introduce our new Ready to Learn initiative. Starting at 7:40 AM each day, students at both Taylor Street and Memorial School can enjoy a hot breakfast in the cafeteria. Breakfast will be served until 8:05 AM, giving students ample time to eat and get ready for their school day.

For those who prefer to bring their own breakfast, or simply need a quiet space to prepare for the day, our doors will be open during this time. This initiative is designed not only to provide a nutritious start to the day but also to ensure a smooth and stress-free morning routine for families, particularly those with children attending both schools.  Here is a LINK to learn more about the Ready to Learn initiative.

Aligned Schedules, Enhanced Learning Support, and the WIN Period

By aligning the start times and daily schedules at Taylor Street and Memorial School, we are creating new opportunities for collaboration and shared resources between our schools. This year, we are introducing a team of specialized staff members who will be available to both schools, including:

• Interventionists (4)
• Enrichment teacher
• Instructional Coach
• Literacy Coach
• ESL Teacher (English as a Second Language)

This team of enhanced learning supports will be led by our new Supervisor of Instruction and Innovation, who will oversee the implementation of these programs to ensure that all students receive the highest quality of education. Their leadership will be instrumental in driving student success in key areas like literacy and math.

With the new aligned schedules, we are also excited to implement a dedicated WIN period (“What I Need”) in both buildings. This period allows each grade level to use data to regroup students for targeted instruction in reading and math. During the WIN period, students will receive focused support through interventions, enrichment, and reinforcement of prior lessons. This targeted approach is designed to meet the individual needs of each student and accelerate their academic growth.

Additionally, we are excited to announce the full implementation of two innovative software programs, iReady and Amira Learning, after a successful pilot last school year as well as a state funded tutoring program called the High Impact Tutoring Grant. These programs have been carefully selected based on research that demonstrates their ability to accelerate student growth in key academic areas.

• iReady focuses on enhancing student achievement in both reading and math, offering personalized learning paths that adapt to each student’s needs.
• Amira Learning is a unique and innovative AI-driven program that allows students to read aloud to “Amira,” their virtual tutor. This software analyzes the student’s ability to read and pronounce words, offering real-time feedback and support to improve literacy skills.  Teachers then are able to go back to each student file and listen to their reading and give feedback to students to teach the rules of decoding in a more targeted fashion.

• Littera Education will be providing 1:1 or 2:1 tutoring in Mathematics virtually both during the WIN period and/or immediatly after school for identified students via online, live tutoring with a qualified math interventionist.  This program, funded by NJDOE, is called the High Impact Tutoring (HIT) Grant which has awarded Washington Borough over $100,000 to provide additional support to identified students.  For more on the HIT Grant click here.

We are confident that these tools, combined with our dedicated team of specialists, will significantly enhance our students’ learning experiences and outcomes.

As always, the safety, health, and success of our students remain our top priorities. I look forward to seeing our students’ bright faces on the first day of school and working together to make this school year our best one yet.

Thank you for your continued support and partnership.

Warm regards,

Frank Esposito, Superintendent of Schools