Back to School in Westhampton Beach: No More Strings Program

students will note a few changes when they return to the classroom.

One major alteration is the district’s decision to cut the elementary and middle school strings program, said.

There was not enough interest to support a full orchestra, though Westhampton Beach still has a full band and chorus, he said.

“Ultimately, the cut was budgetary and programmatic,” Radday said.

Students still hoping to play instruments like bass, violin and cello can go private, Radday said.

District parents may have an easier time managing their children’s lunches thanks to a new program the district will implement this year.

The program, called Nutrikids, gives parents the option to sign up online for a program that allows them to add money to their children’s lunch account with a credit card.

“We felt it would be a benefit to parents because they could have the opportunity to view their kids’ accounts and see what kind of lunch their kids are purchasing,” Radday said. “The ability to not send check in and add money online is an advantage to parents.”

Students will also be greeted with a new wellness center in the high school, Radday said. Crews will put the finishing touches on the center once students are back in class, but it’s substantially complete, Radday said.

Students will also see a solar panel project underway. The project, which will defray energy costs, is scheduled to be completed September 30. A New York State grant funded the project, Radday said.

The district’s security force was cut, as were a monitor and teacher’s aide positions. A math and a special education teacher position were eliminated through attrition, Radday said.

Radday said Westhampton Beach has new teachers joining the district; they were learning the ropes last week during orientation and professional development. Four of the six will replace retirees, Radday said.

The district is also hiring a new science teacher to support a new earth science initiative in which all eight graders will take the high school level regents, Radday said.

A part-time English as a second language teacher will join the faculty roster, as well.