Princeton Schools To Focus On 3 Key Priorities For 2023-24: Superintendent

PRINCETON, NJ – With school set to reopen in a few weeks, Princeton Public Schools Superintendent sent out a letter to the community, highlighting the key priorities of the district for the 2023-24 school year.

In her letter to the community, Superintendent Carol Kelley thanked the community for their “unwavering support” in helping to shape students' learning experiences.

“As we step into this new academic year, I want to express my deepest gratitude for your unwavering support in helping to shape the learning experiences of our students. The trusting relationships, open communication, and partnerships between you and PPS staff provide the supporting conditions for our students’ success,” Kelley said in er letter.

She outlined three key areas the district will focus on this year.

The first is for students aged three through third grade - with the focus being growth and achievement in literacy and numeracy. The district will ensure that all students receive 90 minutes of daily instruction in literacy and 60 minutes of daily instruction in math, Kelley said.

Struggling students will be enrolled in academic support classes, and the team will work collaboratively to analyze progress by monitoring data across content areas.

The second area the district will focus on is wellness, inclusion and support for all students. Kelley said the district wants students to feel a sense of belonging and have meaningful relationships with at least one adult in their school.

To meet this goal, the district will facilitate professional learning for SEL (Social Emotional Learning) team leaders, regularly gathering and analyzing school climate and student perception data in order to evaluate and make adjustments that will ensure schools where all learners can thrive.

Finally, PPS wants to ensure a meaningful life for all students beyond graduation from Princeton Public Schools.

This school year, all ninth graders will have an initial check-in with their school counselor. Additional opportunities for student voice are being explored, Kelley said. Teachers will rely even more on student data to identify opportunities for individualized learning.

The theme for the 2023-2024 school year is “Belonging and Community: Where Every Learner Thrives.”

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