For kids, there may never be enough days of summer, but there’s no avoiding a new school year. So sharpen the pencils, finish those summer reading books and zip up the backpacks! Tri-town schools begin class bright and early on Tuesday, Aug. 30.

Among the changes coming this year are new curriculum, new outreach for parents as well as security upgrades.

This year, the elementary schools will begin implementing the “next generation” science standards approved by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education in the spring, a STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) heavy curriculum.

“[It’s] that whole idea that science is studying more than biology and physics and understanding and not being afraid of it,” said Sippican School Principal Lyn Rivet.

Her teachers as well as those in Rochester and Mattapoisett have been working to implement the new curriculum together.

“Anytime you can get teachers together like that to dissect things, curriculum map and come up with a plan, you’re going to put the best product forward to instruct kids,” said Rochester Memorial School Principal Derek Medeiros.

According to Mattapoisett Assistant Principal Kevin Tavares, the new standards rearrange various subjects to new grades while also incorporating engineering and technology.

“It’s part of the whole college and career readiness,” he said. “There’s more hands-on.”

Students will also continue to have increased access to technology as the primary and secondary schools move toward devices for every student.

At RMS, all fourth graders will now have Chromebooks, which is already a reality at the fifth and sixth grade level. Third graders will also have access to computer carts.

Tech support will come from students this year at Old Rochester Regional High, something Principal Mike Devoll has been working on for years.

“We have Chromebooks in classrooms, and now we have students that will take some ownership in the maintenance of, distributing of, and the upkeep,” he said.

While schools emphasize STEM, Sippican School is also looking at the social and emotional needs of its students and parents with two programs.

Prompted by kindergarten teachers, the school is piloting a program for its youngest students that will, hopefully, set them up for success.

On Aug. 30 and 31, kids will be screened in small groups with teachers and specialists in speech and language, occupational therapy and physical therapy.

The purpose, said Rivet, is “so we can get a really good bird’s eye view of where they are now and where we’re going to need to take them.”

She said the goal is to have balanced classrooms.

“We have kiddos who developmentally don’t have a lot of school readiness and kids who are reading chapter books already. How can we put things together so we can help everybody grow as much as they can?”

The school also hopes to start an outreach to parents that will serve to meet their needs, encourage them and get them involved.

“We’re trying to draw in parents,” said Rivet.

The series still needs to be approved by the Marion School Committee, and if it gets the OK, Rivet said the high school’s AmbassadORRs group will provide babysitting so parents can attend.

Mattapoisett will also have a new focus on health and wellness as it adds a part-time health teacher.

The .3 position was originally supposed to be shared with Marion and Rochester, creating a full-time role, but both of those towns cut it during a challenging budget season.

Tavares said the schools haven’t had a health teacher for years, and it was time to bring the position back. Health classes will use the research-based The Great Body Shop curriculum because, said Tavares, “We know it works.”

The program includes nutrition, self-worth, hygiene and substance abuse prevention in grade-specific lessons.

In addition to the new health position, there are 20 other new teachers across the three towns, including a much lobbied for part-time art teacher at the high school.

The job was in ORR's original wishlist for the 2016-17 school year, but was cut in the budget process. With teacher retirements, however, Devoll said the school was able to find enough funds for the position. The new teacher gives an additional 80 students access to art classes, though some 160 are wait-listed.

Students may complain about that, but they won't do it on their cell phones, at least not during class.

ORR is also going cell phone free again after allowing them in classrooms for several years. The new policy does permit use of phones at lockers. Upperclassmen used to the old way may go into withdrawal, but “we’ve had nothing but support from the community,” said Devoll.

It's also a safety move and can keep students from texting or tweeting in an emergency, something that happened during a lockdown last year.

Facilities Manager Gene Jones is also focused on keeping kids safer in tri-town school.

Camera upgrades at several schools should be completed before doors open and new security vestibules will be installed this school year at Old Hammondtown School, Center School, the junior high and high school. These entryway upgrades will provide an extra layer of security as visitors enter.

Jones said the project will go out to bid for a contractor soon and will be installed during a school break to avoid disrupting students.