Students arrived back at Westport Schools Tuesday, and were greeted by a long list of new programs, as well as a return of a favored old one, including the middle school sports program.

Middle school sports were suspended in 2015, after the town closed the old middle school. When the new middle and high school opened last year in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, officials did not have enough time to plan for the return of middle school sports. But with one year passed since then, the district will offer boys' and girls' soccer in the fall, boys' and girls' basketball over the inter, and baseball and softball in the spring season. Students will compete in the Massasoit Middle School League.

Superintendent Thomas Aubin said last week that he is "really excited" for the return of dedicated middle school sports, and said he is looking forward to the school year and all the other changes it will bring.

"We've got so much going on," he said.

New initiatives this year include:

• Start em Young: This program gives elementary and middle school students a chance to compete in extra-curricular sports and other activities. It started last year and this year will include field hockey and lacrosse at the elementary level, and flag football, pep band, field hockey and School News, a media course, at the middle school.

• There are two new courses at the middle school, including STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math). Students will work on animation and robotics, among other pursuits. In addition, seventh and eighth graders will be offered engineering.

"Students will learn how bridges are built and how drones work, all while getting to practice by themselves," Aubin said.

• At the high school, several new part time electives are being offered. They include College to Career Readiness, freshman composition, "The Art of the Podcast: Storytelling and Reporting," and other topics in literature and academic support. There will also be a monthly advisory group for each grade level. In sports, boys' lacrosse is being offered for the first time this coming spring, and Aubin said the district is currently reviewing club proposals from students.