Eastport South Manor details new K–6 schedules and expands "Every Student Matters" time

Eastport South Manor Central School District officials presented detailed K–6 schedule changes at the Aug. 27, 2025 Board of Education meeting, describing a mix of intervention and enrichment time intended to provide more targeted support for students across the district.

Administrators said a weekly 45-minute "Every Student Matters" (ESM) block will give teachers and teaching assistants time to work in rotating small groups for remediation, pre-teaching and enrichment. At the kindergarten level, presenters described a daily 20-minute "wind/what I need" session, together with about 65 minutes a week overall dedicated to reinforcement. For grades 3–6, the district said ESM time totals roughly 150–180 minutes per week per grade level.

The presentation also highlighted other changes: science and social studies blocks expanded from 30 to 45 minutes to permit more investigative work; Spanish instruction was expanded (K–2 twice weekly and fifth grade receiving Spanish five times a week); and the district will place full-time media specialists at South Street and Tuttle and add full-time social workers to support SEL and programs such as Erin's Law. Presenters said the schedule eliminates alternating A/B weeks to provide consistent weekly routines and more predictable planning time for teachers.

Board members asked how enrichment for accelerated students will be preserved during ESM. The principals and directors said teachers will differentiate within lessons and use digital tools such as i-Ready and other curricular resources to provide more challenging tasks for students who are ahead, while other small groups receive targeted support during ESM. Officials said differentiation will vary by lesson and that teachers will plan across classroom teams so three rotating groups are used regularly (targeted support, TA-run group, and an advanced/enrichment cluster).

Administrators noted that curriculum materials, pacing guides and a schedule visual will be available online (BoardDocs and the district curriculum website) and encouraged principals to review ESM goals with families at open houses so parents understand the blockas both remediation and enrichment, not an either/or. The district said the K–6 schedule changes already align with local "Leader in Me" and SEL initiatives.

The board did not take formal action on the schedule at the meeting; presenters said the materials are posted online for public review and will be discussed with parents during the fall open house schedule.