By Beth Barhydt
Saxe Middle School is undergoing some big changes for the 2024-2025 school year, transitioning into two distinct schools within the same building: Saxe Intermediate School, which will serve students in grades 5-6, and Saxe Middle School, which will serve students in grades 7-8. This restructuring is designed to address the different developmental needs of students across these age groups by creating more focused and supportive environments.
Superintendent Dr. Bryan Luizzi explained the rationale behind this restructuring. “The developmental needs of kids in fifth and sixth grade are very different than students in grades seven and eight,” he said. “By creating two right-sized schools, we anticipate that we’ll be able to focus more specifically on the developmental needs of the students at each of those grade levels. Communications will be more targeted and streamlined, specific to those families and the staff at each of the schools.”
As part of this restructuring, Sarah Granite has been appointed as the principal of Saxe Intermediate School. Granite, who prior to coming to New Canaan, served as assistant principle at North Mianus School in Greenwich, brings extensive experience in education, particularly in special education and intervention. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in History, a Master of Arts in Teaching, and an Educational Leadership degree, all from Quinnipiac University, where she graduated summa cum laude.
Dr. Luizzi highlighted her qualifications, stating, “Sarah Granite was the clear choice to become our intermediate school principal. Her extensive experience and educational background make her uniquely qualified to guide our students and staff through this important transition.”
Granite will be supported by Steve Bedard, who has been named the assistant principal of Saxe Intermediate School. The leadership team at the intermediate school will maintain consistent start and end times, as well as the existing mini-team and team structures, to ensure continuity for students and staff during the transition. Dr. Luizzi expressed confidence in this approach, saying, “We really feel confident that the move to the intermediate school will provide those students in fifth and sixth the level of support and voice and environment that they need to thrive and then have them going into seventh and eighth grade afterwards.”
Granite addressed the upcoming school year in a letter to parents, emphasizing the theme of “Moving Forward, Together.” She wrote, “This year is particularly special as we embark on a new chapter together with the introduction of our Saxe Intermediate School. We are embracing the theme of ‘Moving Forward, Together,’ which captures our commitment to progress and the collective journey we will share as a school community. We aim to foster an environment where every student feels supported, encouraged, and inspired to take steps forward in their daily learning and personal growth.”
In addition to the restructuring, Saxe is introducing a “Phone Free Schools” initiative, which will require students to lock away personal devices, such as cell phones and smartwatches, during the school day. The purpose of this policy is to reduce distractions and enhance focus in the classroom. Dr. Luizzi explained the motivation behind the initiative, saying, “Having phones in classrooms can provide distraction for kids. It makes learning more difficult, makes teaching more difficult, and causes some other problems. We also need to be intentional about access, and that’s where the phone-free school approach and movement comes in.”
To implement this initiative, the school will use Yondr pouches, which are magnetic lockable pouches designed to store devices securely.
Julie Toal, a member of the school board, explained the process: “Saxe students are going to be using Yondr pouches for their smart phones, Apple Watches and earbuds during the school day. Every student at Saxe will receive their own pouch with a magnetic lock. They will be instructed to turn the notifications on silent, and lock their devices in the Yondr pouch. The pouches can be kept in their backpacks and lockers but they must be locked. At the end of the day, there will be carts with a magnet release and the students will be able to unlock their pouches and have access to their devices. We hope this will have a positive effect on the mental health of students. And limit classroom distractions so the focus can be on learning.“
Students will retain possession of their devices throughout the day but will not have access to them until the end of the school day. Toal clarified, “They retain possession of their equipment, but they don’t have access to it.”
Granite also addressed the new initiative in her letter to parents, aligning with the district’s goals. “Our new ‘Phone Free Schools’ initiative will be introduced at Saxe for the upcoming school year,” she wrote. “This initiative will remove access to all personal devices (cell phones, smartwatches, Bluetooth earbuds, etc.) during the school day. To create our ‘Phone Free School,’ we will utilize a locking pouch system for all students. The goal of this program is to minimize distractions and enhance focus in the learning environment.”
Dr. Luizzi provided a summary of the overall objectives of these changes, saying, “When we can take a school as large as Saxe and make it smaller to be more nimble and responsive to the needs of the kids and the families and the staff, then we’re doing the right work.”
