The Port Washington School District opened its doors for the 2007-'08 school year to 5,011 students last Wednesday. This year's enrollment of 5,000 plus is an increase of 94 students from June 2007's final enrollment number of 4,917. Superintendent of Schools Dr. Geoffrey Gordon noted that while enrollment in Nassau County is down by 20,000 pupils, Port is still growing.

The school district opened for business with contracts settled for all bargaining units, freshly waxed floors, excited teachers and staff and 377 kindergarteners. "We have an outstanding partnership," said Dr. Gordon. "With students, parents, teachers, secretaries, custodians and administrators continuing to move in a very positive way - together - we can expect a great school year."

He commented that the opening this year was "great" and "quiet," with a lot of "cooperation" from everyone.

Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources Ed Sallie said that all the classes are within the district's class size policy. Dr. Gordon commented that this was accomplished despite a tight budget.

Mr. Sallie provided the following breakdown of the number of students in each school and grade for both the new school year and, for comparison purposes, last year. The first figure is September '07 and the second figure is June '07.

Grade 1- 64/78

Grade 2- 80/61

Grade 3- 66/70

Grade 4- 76/65

Grade 5- 67/75

Kindergarten- 75/62

Total September-428

Total June-411

Grade 1- 83/89

Grade 2- 89/78

Grade 3- 77/94

Grade 4- 90/71

Grade 5- 70/77

Kindergarten-84/88

Total September- 493

Total June- 497

Grade 1- 86/54

Grade 2- 55/70

Grade 3- 70/61

Grade 4- 64/70

Grade 5- 68/75

Kindergarten-64/85

Total September-407

Total June- 415

Grade 1- 66/74

Grade 2- 75/66

Grade 3- 62/55

Grade 4- 53/63

Grade 5- 66/73

Kindergarten-63/61

Total September-385

Total June-392

Grade 1-81/85

Grade 2- 89/93

Grade 3- 96/95

Grade 4- 96/78

Grade 5- 77/93

Kindergarten-91/80

Total September-530

Total June- 524

Grade 6- 396/403

Grade 7- 412/412

Grade 8- 412/346

Total September-1,220

Total June- 1,161

Grade 9- 347/402

Grade 10- 413/400

Grade 11- 412/371

Grade 12- 375/343

Special student- 1/1

Total September- 1,548

Total June-1,517