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PRM principal outlines schedule changes, safety rules and transition plans for Kinnelon middle schoolers
Summary
At a fall PRM forum, Principal Mark Mongan detailed a revised master schedule with longer core-class time, a 39-minute alternating CT period and a new WIN support block; he also reviewed a switch to the Real Time student-information system, safety rules for bike riders and updated eligibility rules for honor societies and sports clearance.
Principal Mark Mongan told families at the PRM Principles Forum that the school has adjusted its master schedule to increase instructional time for core academic courses and added more structured student supports and choices during the school day.
Mongan said the mid-day Custom Option Learning Time (CT) meets every other day and lasts 39 minutes; students also take a performance option (band, choir or public speaking) on alternating days. He announced a new "WIN" period — a flexible block in which students can complete homework, get extra help or choose other educational activities — and said students will reselect CT and WIN options each marking period via a Google form the school will send to families.
Why it matters: the changes are designed to give students deeper instructional blocks and more choice in experiential activities while preserving time for performance courses and supports.
Mongan and a school staff member reviewed operational changes. PRM moved its records and parent communications to the Real Time student-information system; families should report planned absences through Real Time by 9:00 a.m., or phone the school after that cutoff. The staff member noted messages are archived in each family’s Real Time communication tab to make notices and previous messages easier to find.
The principal emphasized several safety and operational policies: the school is a cell-phone-free zone during school hours (phones should be off and stored in lockers); students must wear lanyards for identification and are required to lock their lockers (the school will survey students who need lock combinations or replacements). On active transportation, Mongan encouraged biking but stressed that students must wear helmets, obey traffic laws and secure bikes on the provided racks; he said the district will distribute guidance about which classes of e-bikes are permissible for this age group because certain e-bike models may be regulated differently under state law.
Mongan also reviewed emergency preparedness: PRM ran an off-site evacuation drill on Oct. 10, using the DPW as an alternate site when the preferred high-school auditorium was unavailable; the school gathered feedback and plans another drill in spring.
On academics, Mongan described honor-roll and National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) criteria. According to his presentation, honor-roll qualifies at the school’s published threshold (the principal described the honor-roll threshold for a grading scale in use), and NJHS invitations start with a high academic requirement (the principal said a 93 average is required) plus a citizenship/behavior review. He said disciplinary eligibility includes no suspensions, no confirmed incidents of HIB (harassment, intimidation or bullying), and no more than two detentions during the NJHS review window; invited students submit materials that are reviewed by a faculty council in accordance with NJHS standards.
Extracurricular and logistics notes: families must submit sports physicals in person by Nov. 1 for winter-sports clearance because the school doctor needs time to review paperwork. The school runs late buses on Tuesdays–Thursdays (departing roughly 4:00–4:10 p.m.) for students in after-school activities; stops differ from regular bus stops and temporary stop changes require an email from both parents. Staff described a sign-up process for five-minute parent-teacher conference slots on Nov. 4 and 5 to replace the older walk-in format.
Upcoming events Mongan highlighted include the TR Marketplace (Dec. 12), winter concerts (band Dec. 16; choir Dec. 18), state testing windows in spring, and an outdoor eighth-grade promotion ceremony on June 12, weather permitting. He closed the forum by encouraging families to contact the school via email with follow-up questions and by saying the year is off to a strong start.
Quote: “We really feel like the school year is off to a fantastic start,” Mongan said.
What’s next: the school will send the CT/WIN-selection form, Real Time account instructions, e-bike guidance and additional calendar links to families; parents who have questions about attendance coding, locker combinations, or sports clearance were asked to contact the main office.
