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08/21/2013 12:00 AMNext Wednesday, Aug. 28, East Haven students will heading back to their respective schools for the start of the 2013-'14 school year. The district's new superintendent wants to be there to greet them-all of them.
"The goal is to get to each and every one of the schools on the first day to say hello to the staff and the students," said Dr. Portia Bonner, who began her tenure as the leader of the East Haven School District on Aug. 5. "I should be able to get it done."
For Bonner, that is one of the many goals she wants to achieve as the top administrator of the town's schools. She replaces Anthony Serio, who retired this month after a nearly 40-year career in the district.
Bonner said has drafted a 90-day entry plan to help her transition into the new role.
"It's important for me to know about the culture of the district," she said.
Bonner said she will visit all of the school buildings, meet teachers, parents, and members of the community. She has already met with Mayor Joseph Maturo, Jr.
"His focus is safety for the students and creating a good environment for students," said Bonner.
Bonner said she is reviewing the recently completed five-year plan for the district and will use it as a guide for the upcoming school year.
She said student testing will change soon from Connecticut Mastery Test and Connecticut Academic Performance Test testing to Smarter Balanced assessments in 2014-'15. Those assessments are more in line with the Common Core Standards, said Bonner.
There will also be a new evaluation system for teachers that is designed to help teachers grow and connect that growth to student growth.
"We're also going to look at grant opportunities we can be involved in and will look at creative ways to be innovative and bring newer technology to the forefront," said Bonner.
More New Faces
The school district will welcome other administrators in addition to Bonner this fall. Mark Levy is the new principal at Momauguin School. Levy brings experience from the state technical school system.
Mark Hughes has accepted a new position at East Haven High School; he will become dean of students. Bonner explained that Hughes will be responsible for handling discipline and behavior-restorative discipline, not punitive discipline. Hughes is a member of the Meriden Board of Education and was previously a social worker at ACES in North Haven.
Following the Plan
As the school year progresses, Bonner said she will continue to use the strategic plan as a guide.
"I want to make sure it is fine-tuned," she said. "I will use this as a tool to begin to transform the district so we're a high performing district."
Among her goals, Bonner said she wants to build a comfortable workplace where "happy employees want to come to work. I also want to engage the parents and get them more involved and be a bridge to the families and the community.
"It's a small town with a lot of heart and fire that wants to see the schools shine," added Bonner. "I feel I'm in the right place to share my talents and skills and I really want it to work. I'm here for the long haul."