Norman L. Gross

Norm Gross , the principal of Afton Elementary School , last night presented the findings of a yearlong feasibility study by an 11-member committee.He reported the cost of starting up a full-day kindergarten program to be between $1.2 million and $1.3 million.
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Our charge was to develop a ballpark figure that we felt was somewhat accurate , Gross said.

While conducting the study , committee members looked at space considerations , the need for additional teachers , other staffing considerations and additional implications.They used the Lancaster School District as a model.Lancaster , which is similar in size to Pennsbury , is now entering its third year of full-day kindergarten.

The committee also based its findings on the number of first-graders currently enrolled in Pennsbury schools.For the 2001-02 school year , there are 939 students in the district's 11 elementary schools.
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A large chunk of the costs for full-day kindergarten would be in hiring new teachers , Gross said.The committee estimated the district would need 16 more teachers , which would cost $892 , 320.

Classroom space for full-day kindergarten was also discussed.Gross said the district's schools fell short of what would be needed by about 10 classrooms.When examining that problem , committee members took current kindergarten classrooms , transitional first-grade classrooms and noninstructional areas into consideration.If full-day kindergarten is implemented , transitional first grade might be eliminated.

The school's principal, Norman Gross, was selected to the position by then Superintendent of Schools Ms. Kathleen Fitton.
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Through the 1996-97 school year, Mr. Gross was responsible for Afton's staff selection, organization of Afton's Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO), ordering materials for the school, meeting with children who would soon comprise the Afton student body and lowering the level of concern of parents whose children would be transferring to the new school, among the myriad other responsibilities.

NORMAN L. GROSS

Principal

OFFICE OF THE PRINCIPAL

THE PENNSBURY SCHOOL DISTRICT
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NORMAN GROSS

Principal

Principal - Mr. Norman Gross

Norman Gross PRINCIPAL

Norm Gross, principal at Afton Elementary, said he was proud that his school had three teams, which entered the regional competition earlier this year."I feel the same way about all three teams," he said."They worked together from October through March in preparation for the regional competition.They developed an understanding of teamwork and cooperation.They developed a greater awareness of respect for their team mates and by and large developed new friendships.

"They were exposed to a level of critical thinking that is not often easily realized within the context of the school day," Gross said."They went off to the regional competition in March, and, by all accounts, represented Afton Elementary School and the Pennsbury school district exceedingly well.I'm proud of all three teams."

When asked to define Odyssey of the Mind, Gross said it is "a brain-power and problem-solving competition.
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"Our 'Around the World in 8 Minutes' and 'Tag 'em' teams scored well enough in the long term and the spontaneous elements to move on to the state competition," Gross said.

Norman L. GrossPrincipal

OFFICE OF THE PRINCIPALTHE PENNSBURY SCHOOL DISTRICT
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NORMAN GROSSPrincipal