OXFORD, CT — Oxford Public Schools will welcome about 1,600 students back to class Monday with at least 26 new employees joining the district.
The district hired 16 certified faculty members, two nurses and eight paraeducators over the summer, Superintendent Ralph Marino Jr. said in a back-to-school message. Other districtwide support staff were also hired.
Oxford has about 285 employees across its schools. Staff members returned Wednesday for the district's annual convocation, while the first day for students is Aug. 31.
The district is also adding a new preschool-through-fifth-grade STEM coach. The coach will initially work with elementary teachers on math instruction and coordination between grade levels.
Students will return to several building improvements completed over the summer.
Oxford High School received new burners for both boilers, while the gym floor at Great Oak Elementary School was restored and outfitted with a new Hawks logo. Great Oak also added classroom space for another third-grade section.
Quaker Farms School now has a fully functioning heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system that provides air conditioning throughout the building.
The Oxford site of the Monroe-Oxford Community Transition Program was also renovated. The program serves young adults ages 18 to 22 as they develop vocational and independent-living skills.
The updated space includes a kitchen and laundry classroom with a refrigerator, dishwasher, washer, dryer and cabinetry for hands-on instruction.
Families will also begin using ParentSquare, a new platform intended to place school, classroom and district messages in one app.
Meet the Teacher nights are scheduled for Sept. 10 at Quaker Farms and Great Oak, Sept. 15 at Oxford Middle School and Sept. 17 at Oxford High School.
For more Connecticut news, follow Patch editor Jay Kenney.
Sign up for free local newsletters and alerts for the
Oxford Patch
Patch.com is the nationwide leader in hyperlocal news.
Visit Patch.com to find your town today.