Kindness will be a focus for South Country School District’s 4,000 students when they return to school on Sept. 6.

In addition to academic achievement, the district is putting an emphasis on character education, superintendent of schools Antonio Santana said.

“Kindness is the word for the year,” said Santana, who is starting his second school year as South Country superintendent.

As part of that, South Country student-athletes will be among 2,000 students from 24 school districts who will be participating in the launch of the Ambassadors of Compassion program at East Islip High School on Aug. 25.

The national program encourages student-athletes to act as role models and mentors for other students.

The district is also rolling out a program for students in grades 6 through 12 focused on social and emotional learning aimed at teaching students interpersonal skills. The program at the high school will focus on “Clipper Compassion.” The program was developed by teachers in the Glen Cove City School District, where Santana was principal at Glen Cove High School before joining South Country.

Here’s a look at what else is new for South Country schools this year:

Bellport High School

The high school added new courses including Exploration in Data Science and an Advanced Placement course teaching computer science principles.

High school students will be able to take college courses through a partnership with Utica University and Suffolk County Community College.

Bellport Middle School

The district is working to have the middle school taken off the state Department of Education’s list of schools in need of additional targeted support and improvement. Verne W. Critz Elementary and Brookhaven Elementary were restored to good standing in 2022. Brookhaven Elementary has since become a model for other districts, Santana said.

The district has been working with Teachers College of Columbia University on a reading and writing program to increase literacy.

Sixth graders will now move between classes for different courses as students now do starting in seventh grade.

The district is also introducing an Introduction to World Languages course for sixth graders.

Physical improvements

A new playground was installed at Brookhaven Elementary.

A STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) lab was installed at Critz Elementary.

ADA playground equipment was installed at Frank P. Long Intermediate School

The pond in the high school courtyard was restored and the pond in the middle school courtyard is being redone.

The district plans to renovate the high school auditorium, including replacing the seats and carpeting.

Security systems, including cameras and locking mechanisms, have been updated at all district schools.

Sports

A new $80,000 digital scoreboard at Joe Cipp Field will be ready in time for the start of football season. The district also replaced the aging synthetic turf field at the high school used by physical education classes and the soccer and lacrosse teams. The $780,000 turf replacement is part of $2.6 million in capital improvements voters approved in October.

Last year, the high school launched a unified basketball team in which special needs students were assisted by general education students. The basketball program will be returning this year and the district hopes to add unified bowling and soccer teams.

Personnel

Twelve teachers are joining the district. The number doesn’t include those who are replacing teachers who retired or left.