Superintendent: Mamaroneck Schools Ready to Open

With the Mamaroneck schools set to open next week, the district's leader said they are ready for the students.

Superintendent Robert Shaps said over 5,100 students will be attending district schools for 2013-14.

"It's been growing steadily," he said.

The first day of school is Monday, Sept. 9. For the elementary schools, the students will attend from 8:40 a.m. to 11: 45 a.m. (kindergarten schedules vary). Only sixth graders will attend Hommocks Middle School, starting at 8:07 a.m. until 11:45 a.m. At Mamaroneck High School, only the ninth grade students will attend—from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 10 will be the first full day of school, with the exception of kindergarten.

Work has taken place over the summer, Shaps said, getting the buildings ready to receive students. The work included some contruction as well.

"We've finished the first phase of our capital projects," he said, with plumbing and electrical work at Murray Avenue Elementary and new playgrounds at both Murray Avenue and Chatsworth Avenue Elementary Schools.

Shaps said the district is gearing up to continue its shift to the common core standards.

He said they are new standards for learning agreed to regionally and nationally.

Shaps said it's designed to keep the United States competitive with other countries around the world.

"It involves 21st century learning skills," he said. "It's more about identifying universal or enduring skills, that can in some ways help adults" to become able to perform tasks, think critically and collaborate in different medium.