FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Terry Corallo Telephone: 201-833-5498
Email: tcorallo@teaneckschools.org

TEANECK PUBLIC SCHOOLS AWARDED
$3.3 MILLION SCHOOL CLIMATE TRANSFORMATION – LOCAL EDUCATIONAL AGENCY GRANT

Five-Year Grant Supports District’s Goal to Create Equitable and Inclusive Learning Opportunities

TEANECK, NJ, [October 17, 2019] – The U.S. Department of Education has awarded Teaneck Public Schools and it’s Dean of Students, Dr. Lottie Watson, the School Climate Transformation – Local Educational Agency (LEA) Grant in the amount of approximately $669,000 per year (pending budget approval) for each budgetary year between October 1, 2019 – September 30, 2024. The Teaneck Public Schools Climate Transformation Grant Project will develop, implement, and expand systems of support and technical assistance to its schools in order to improve school climate and culture.

“It's a new day in Teaneck; and we are working towards our vision to provide educational excellence for all," said Dr. Christopher Irving, Superintendent, Teaneck Public Schools. “A major goal of our five-year Strategic Plan is to create equitable and inclusive learning opportunities for all students - which will include adopting a district-wide strategy for addressing student behaviors in conjunction with our code of conduct. We are extremely appreciative to have been selected for this generous grant; and I would like to thank our elected officials at the Federal, State and local levels for being so supportive of our district goals."

The School Climate Transformation Grants initiative builds on the development and testing of evidence-based multi-tiered decision-making frameworks, such as Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS). These funds enable LEAs to develop and adopt, or expand to more schools, a multi-tiered decision-making framework that guides the selection, integration, and implementation of the best evidence-based behavioral practices for improving school climate and behavioral outcomes for all students. To accomplish these goals, the project has recommendations from its LEA that will seek to:
	Develop and implement a Social Emotional Learning Conceptual Curriculum;
	Develop and implement a Student Rewards Program juxtaposed its discipline policy; 	Revise, adopt, and implement the existing student code of conduct to reflect the needs,
accommodations, and necessary supports for the current Teaneck Public Schools student population; and
	Expand on its current HIB (Harassment, Intimidation & Bullying) and Character Education Programs at all developmental levels.

The successful implementation of these goals will ultimately focus on engagement that encompasses cultural and linguistic competence, relationships, and school participation. It will focus on safety, which encompasses emotional safety, physical safety, bullying/cyberbullying, substance abuse and emergency readiness/management. Additionally, it will focus on the overall environment, including the physical environment, the instructional environment, physical health, mental health, and discipline.

Teaneck’s Board of Education approved acceptance of this grant at the October 16, 2019 Board meeting.

About Teaneck Public Schools
First in the country to voluntarily integrate its schools, this district is dedicated to its newly revised vision and mission statements (per the 2019-2024 District Strategic Plan).
Mission: The Teaneck Public School District educates and empowers students by providing a high quality, rigorous educational experience which prepares students for success within a diverse, global society. Vision: The Teaneck Advantage: Educational Excellence for All.
Core Values: Equity, Excellence, Innovation and Collaboration.
We provide a wide array of programs to meet the needs and learning style of our students at all seven schools. For more information, visit www.teaneckschools.org .Or follow-us on Facebook (Teaneck Public School District) or our YouTube channel (Teaneck Public Schools).
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