This school year promises to be an exciting and productive one in the Levittown Public Schools. Staff, students, and residents are looking forward to a year in which a number of new programs and enhancements will be implemented. There's good news for Levittown taxpayers, as well. The 2005-2006 tax increase was kept at the lowest in Nassau County, largely due to the district's multi-year budget process.

At the secondary level the most significant addition will be the advent of a nine period day at Division and MacArthur High Schools. This will give students expanded opportunities to meet Regents graduation requirements, and to select courses of interest from a significantly expanded elective offering. With the addition of the ninth period the district is also embarking on a multi-year phase-in of new local graduation requirements that will make up for deficiencies in the new Regents structure, and will better prepare Levittown students for college and the world of work.

Along with the new elective courses comes the need for expanded facilities, the most noticeable of which is additional computer labs at both high schools. Our students will also see an increase in the number of athletic teams, and expanded club activities.

High school students attending the GRCCTC will be provided additional support including a full-time psychologist. Salk and Wisdom Lane Middle Schools will benefit from increased student services, as well, with the addition of a social worker shared between the two schools. A new computer lab is being built at each school to handle the implementation of a formal keyboarding program for grades 6-8. In addition, Middle School students can expect expanded after school club opportunities.

At Levittown's six elementary schools, the most significant programmatic change will be the introduction of an extended day for kindergarten students. The new kindergarten hours will be 8:52 a.m. to 1 p.m. for morning students and 11 a.m.-3:10 p.m. for afternoon students. As part of the extended time, students will be provided daily with both an intensive literacy support period, and an intensive motor development period. Both are in addition to the traditional kindergarten program, and will feature small group instruction by specially trained staff members. Another major elementary addition will be the availability of three new social worker positions to work with students, families and outside agencies as appropriate. Elementary schools will also have the opportunity for the first time to pilot club activities.

Lastly, during the 2005-2006 school year the district will continue to focus on increasing the effectiveness of our security procedures at all schools and facilities.

The 2005-2006 school year begins with almost 8,000 students, many new programs and services, and a staff that continues to be dedicated to Success for Every Student.