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Patchogue‑Medford highlights summer programs, bilingual screening and facilities work in back‑to‑school reports
Summary
Administrators reported large summer activity: curriculum development, teacher professional development, bilingual/ENL screening (262 screened, 163 qualifying), over 1,200 students in summer programs, and multiple facilities projects including high‑school bathroom renovations and security upgrades.
Patchogue‑Medford administrators used the Sept. 16 board meeting to present a wrap-up of summer work and early‑year operations, highlighting summer academy enrollment, bilingual screening results and facilities improvements.
Mrs. Kanetti, the district’s curriculum lead, said the district ran a substantial summer program: “We had over 1,200 students enrolled” across summer offerings and more than 150 teachers worked during the summer on summer school and summer academy, she said. Kanetti reported bilingual/ENL screening activity: “Right now, we have a total of 262 students that we had a screen for ENL services. Of the 262 students, we had 163 qualify to receive ENL/E&L services,” and noted the district offers dual-language and transitional bilingual programs with building-level placements.
Administrators described substantial curriculum work: roughly 100 additional teachers contributed to more than 1,400 hours of curriculum development projects and the district offered 120 workshops for staff during July and August to accumulate required professional development credit. The district also introduced a scheduling/registration tool (Calendly) for central registration to reduce phone traffic and to support multilingual families.
On facilities, Mr. Mazzi reviewed summer renovations — gym repainting, a renovated high-school bathroom, creation of an ACES life-skills apartment at Barton — and security investments funded in part by ARP-related grants (vape detectors, new classroom locks, A-frames to indicate weapons-detection events). He said the bond project committee has convened and the board will receive a timeline update on the district website shortly.
Superintendent Dr. Jones and assistant superintendents praised staff and unions for preparing buildings for the start of school. Dr. Lucas described the district’s extended school year for students with severe disabilities (30 half days, 101 students served with 14 teachers, 17 teaching assistants and 32 aides) and highlighted Raider Academy, a program that enrolled 16 students who had been out of school for extended periods and are successfully re‑engaging.
Administrators indicated that the district will continue to refine programs and staffing and will invite trustees to site visits to observe new facilities and programs firsthand.
