With 43 new staff hires in place, new schedules at two schools and new curriculum programs being piloted, Wilton Public Schools’ top administrators shared a positive picture of the new school year thus far, since the first day of school on Monday, Aug. 26.

On Thursday night, Sept. 5, the Board of Education heard some specifics and some general praise from the four school principals, Superintendent of Schools Kevin Smith, and Director of Human Resources and General Administration Maria Coleman.

“It was a very busy 2024 spring and summer hiring season,” Coleman said, more than usual.

“Of the 43 positions that we filled, 28 reflect staff that are new to the district,” she said, with others changing roles.

She stressed that the new people represent “the best of the best,” having been chosen from over 450 applicants.

Cider Mill School

At Cider Mill School, Principal Jennifer Falcone said that one of those new teachers, Robert Shinall, who has taken over French in the World Languages department, was fitting in well with the team.

Last year’s proposed change to the World Language program at the school caused some concerns among parents, in particular the loss of classroom space and curriculum changes that would necessitate focusing World Language content on science and social studies.

“It’s just been such a pleasure watching this team form,” Falcone said, “work together, implement new curriculum, and I think that staff and students are really in for a treat this year.”

The new schedule, she said, has been working out well too.

“I feel like both staff and students are really appreciating the hour blocks and just kind of slowing down a little bit, which was the whole goal of the schedule,” she said.

Ironically, the expanded 30-minute lunch period may be proving to be too much time, as she indicated there were issues with students finishing early and acting up.

“We’re probably going to have to make sure that we have different strategies for keeping our students engaged and not getting into trouble,” she said.

Middlebrook School

Middlebrook School principal Jory Higgins, likewise, said the new schedule is working well for staff and students.

He also pointed out the positives he’s seen with students being directed to put their cellphones away in their lockers for the day.

“That process for us has been going very well … So far it seems to be a non-issue,” he said, at the same time noting how positive it was to see more interaction in the morning among students.

“They’re forced to talk to each other,” he said. “They’re not looking at their phones and it’s actually a very beautiful thing to see.”

Miller-Driscoll School

At Miller-Driscoll School, the second grade is piloting the new English Language Arts program, which was mandated by the state after Wilton failed to get an exemption to teach its own program.

“You have to remember, that is a huge undertaking,” explained principal Kathryn Coon.

She noted that significant changes were made to the special education teams, with the hope of augmenting more collaboration.

Wilton High School

Wilton High School principal Robert O’Donnell said things have quickly gotten up and running, with athletics, clubs and activities moving fast toward full swing.

“We’re so excited to have the kids back,” he said. “There’s certainly a lot of energy among the faculty.”

“It’s going to be a great year,” he said.

Smith acknowledged that there were “a few bumps” across the district, with food services, technology and transportation. On Thursday afternoon, he said, “The last bus didn’t clear until 5:25 [p.m.].”

“The buses run really slow the first week — new drivers, new kids, just figuring out the on and off,” he said.

Issues also arose with food services, with some accounts failing to be acknowledged when students went to get food, and others being double-billed for items purchased. Questions of portions were also examined at Cider Mill, as well as signage.

“We continue again to work with our food services manager,” he said.