Superintendent’s Report June 17, 2020

Special Recognition Ceremonies
On June 10, we celebrated our recent staff retirees and our Teaneck Apple Award winners – those who went above and beyond during this pandemic. Tonight, I am pleased to announce that we are recognizing several other outstanding students and staff:
•	2019-2020 Bergen County Governor’s Educators of the Year
•	Teaneck High School senior accomplishments including our Class of 2020 Valedictorian & Salutatorian, a student heading to Stanford, and our Student Liaisons to the Board
•	Students who completed the spring Fairleigh Dickinson University STEM Programs Congratulations to all of tonight’s recipients; and if you are leaving us for college or career, we wish you much success in your future endeavors!

COVID-19 Update – Events & Activities
Our Virtual Graduation Ceremonies will be held on Monday, June 22, 2020. The schedule is as follows: •	Thomas Jefferson Middle School – 10 am start
•	Benjamin Franklin Middle School – 1 pm start •	Teaneck High School – 5 pm start
NOTE: These schools will be sending out more specific information about logging on to these ceremonies; all three events will be posted on our District’s YouTube page and we invite our entire community to watch with us.

With the Board’s approval this evening, we will continue with our Food Distribution program through the summer months. We also plan to continue offering our ChromeDepot services two times per week. The specific dates and times will be established by early next week.

On June 23 – 25, my Leadership Team will be meeting virtually to begin our planning for the fall opening of our schools. We will be looking at various options and will hear from experts on current CDC guidelines and expectations. This is an evolving situation which is why we will be putting together multiple scenarios that we can roll-out quickly and effectively.

End of School
Yesterday was the last official day of school for our students, and tomorrow will be the last day for our 10-month employees. This has been a year that none of us will soon forget. Yet even through this pandemic, we still accomplished most of our Strategic Plan goals during this school year. To that end, I issued an End of Year letter and video message that I hope everyone will read and view. They are both available on our district website, YouTube channel and Facebook page.

We are excited for the upcoming school year – especially as we will be opening our new Theodora Smiley Lacey School for our kindergarten students, and will be opening our new district office on the Thomas Jefferson Middle School property (facing Teaneck Road). As I noted in my letter, the Teaneck Board of Education has very high expectations for our school system; and I am honored to have been given the opportunity to continue to lead this district. Together, we will move our schools forward to

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ensure our children have the best opportunity for a successful future. I wish everyone a healthy, safe an enjoyable summer!

Curriculum & Instruction
Revised New Jersey Student Learning Standards:
The New Jersey Student Learning Standards (NJSLS) are reviewed and revised every five years. On June 3, 2020, the State Board of Education adopted new standards for the following areas:
•	Career Readiness
•	Health and Physical Education •	Computer Science
•	Visual and Performing Arts •	World Language
•	Social Studies

As per The NJDOE website, the update includes:
•	Climate change across all content areas, leveraging the passion students have shown for this critical issue and providing them opportunities to develop a deep understanding of the science behind the changes and to explore the solutions our world desperately needs;
•	Computer programming in all grade bands K-12, ensuring all students receive a 22nd century education in the critical computational thinking skills that are the underpinning of so much of our work and so many of our transactions; and
•	National standards for science and visual and performing arts, ensuring access to, and opportunity in, science and the arts, for every New Jersey public student.
For additional information regarding the newly adopted standards, please visit the NJDOE website: https://www.nj.gov/education/cccs/2020

Summer Curriculum Writing
The Department of Curriculum and Instruction is busily planning for the next school year. This summer, we have 52 curriculum projects taking place. All content supervisors will be engaging with their respective teams to write and revise new curriculum guides, draft new pacing calendars and plan for instruction for the 2020 school year. We are excited to begin this work since these guides will now utilize the newly adopted standards set forth by the New Jersey Department of Education.

Summer Bridge Program
In addition, we are excited to begin our Summer Bridge Program. We have hired over 40 teachers who will engage in distance learning experiences over the month of July. Our STEM projects for our elementary learners will be distributed on July 1st and 2nd. Teachers will be formally trained on the first two days in preparation for instruction. We will kick-off our distance learning teaching schedule on Monday, July 6, 2020.

Science Data
The district's science results were released earlier this school year. After reviewing the data, The Department of Curriculum and Instruction, under the leadership of our Science Supervisor, Mr. Rolando Monserrat, has put together a comprehensive go-forward plan to ensure that our students are prepared to be scientific-thinkers. A recording, which details the district’s science data and our future instructional plan, will be posted on district's website in the days to come.

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School Counseling Department
•	Senior Highlights- First, congratulations to our Valedictorian Yasmine Halmane attending Yale on a full scholarship and our Salutatorian Dina Scott attending Kean University on a full scholarship. A number of our seniors have been accepted to top schools including, Cornell University- Cecilia Hernandez, Stanford- Geanna Marte (Full Scholarship). In addition, students’ college acceptances also included a number of prestigious universities- U. of Michigan, Rutgers, Duke, Bucknell, Penn State University, Temple, U. of Pittsburgh, U. of Connecticut, U. of Delaware, Michigan State, The Ohio State University, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, Savannah College of Art and Design, Johnson and Wales. Prestigious small colleges to include: Williams College, Smith College. Historically Black Colleges and Universities: Moorehouse, Hampton, Delaware State, Alabama State University, Morgan State, Howard University, Spelman, Coppin State, Virginia State, Xavier. New Jersey Colleges, Seton Hall, Rowan, The College of NJ, Montclair State. Military enlistment in the Navy and Air Force.
•	FORUM Update- For the 13th year, the Bergen County Board of Chosen Freeholders has approved a resolution awarding Juvenile Justice funds for the PASS Partnership Program (Police/parents And School Students) Program. PASS provides various programs to support positive youth development to Teaneck residents in middle and high school, aged 12-17. The program includes a parent/guardian component for family members and many opportunities for youth to participate in the planning of day-to-day program activities.

Summer Programs:
•	FDU Summer Middle College Program: This will be our second year for this program whereby our current 9th – 11th grade students can earn College Credits this summer with High School Courses taught by Teaneck High School teachers. Through these advanced courses, students can earn three college equivalent credits from Fairleigh Dickinson University in three weeks for just $267 per course. Program details:
o Monday - Friday, July 6 – July 24, 1-3:30pm o Cost: $267 per course
o Registration: FDU.edu/middle (Deadline is July 2)
o Course options are: Financial Planning Management, Introduction to Psychology, Creative Writing, Introduction to World Cultures
o For more information, email Mrs. Golding-Cooper -kcooper@teaneckschools.org •	FORUM Summer Programs-
o The Young Men’s Leadership Retreat is a three-day program that runs virtually from 1pm - 3 pm each day from Tuesday, August 4 through Thursday, August 6. The objectives of the program are to support students’ transition into Teaneck High School as well as to strengthen their connection and involvement in school-based activities. rising 9th, 10th 11th and 12th grade referred by school counselor
•	Annual Summer Girls Empowerment Program for incoming 9th grade students. They will be joined by some of Teaneck High School’s current Studio 2B members. The program is designed to enhance the student’s leadership skills, build self-esteem and hopefully help with any transition jitters using fun group activities, self-reflection and motivational guest speakers. The program is free and will run from Monday August 3 to Thursday August 6. (12 incoming freshman girls recommended by their school counselor.

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•	Employment Enrichment Series- a series of workshops on: Strategies for Launching a Successful Job Search Campaign, Interviewing Skills, Budgeting for Teens, Parent Information Session (Fort more information, contact Ms. Twitter - ywitter@teaneckschools.org

Special Services
Special Education BOE Committee Meeting - 5/28/2020
On Thursday May 28 2020, the Board of Education Special Education Committee held its monthly meeting. Board of Education members Clara Williams, Denise Saunders, and Sarah Rappoport joined Dr. Irving and the special education administration in presenting a proposal to establish a partnership for special education programming for the 20-21 school year and legal update from Nathanya Simon, Education Attorney, Partner at Scarinci Hollenbeck, on Covid-19 special education guidance.

Teaneck School District Special Education Parent Advisory Group (SEPAG)
SEPAG hosted its final meeting for the 2019-2020 school year on Tuesday June 16, 2020. Agenda items were generated by parents and included:
●	Accommodations during remote learning ●	Lessons learned from remote learning
●	ESY and live instruction
●	Social skills and the need for social interaction
●	Create a Standardized Summary of Performance (SOP) outline that demonstrates and provides guidance to case managers on how to summarize academic achievement and functional performance with recommendations on how to meet postsecondary goals.

Upcoming Programs/Events
Extended School Year Program (ESY) June 22, 2020 - August 3, 2020
Extended School Year services are designed to support a student with a disability as documented under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) to maintain the academic, social/behavioral, communication, or other skills that they have learned as part of their Individualized Education Program (IEP). Virtual ESY will begin on Monday, June 22 through Monday, August 3. The program runs Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM. ESY will not be in session on Friday, July 3. In the virtual model, ESY Teachers will provide a minimum of two hours of live instruction. This will be a combination of recorded lessons, small group instruction, reading intervention services and related services based on the needs and levels of the students.

Communications, Community Relations & Volunteer Services Internal & External Communications Plan
This evening, per the District’s Strategic Plan (Priority 3 – Communication & Community Partnerships), Ms. Corallo, Chief of Staff/Director of Community Relations will be presenting the district’s go-forward Internal & External Communications Plan. She shared the full presentation – with voiceover – to the full Board on Thursday, June 11 so that they can submit their questions in advance. Tonight, she will share an abbreviated version for the public to see. The full presentation will be posted on the district’s website under District Strategic Plan.

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SACC (Before & Aftercare Program)
We are working diligently on a plan for our before and afterschool care program (SACC) for fall 2020 and beyond. For those who may be interested in working for our SACC program, please attend our Job Fairs: Tuesday, June 30 (5:30 pm - 7:00 pm) and Thursday, July 2 (9:30 am - 11:30 am) at Thomas Jefferson Middle School (655 Teaneck Road – the fair will be held outdoors in the circle at the end of Salem Street – rain or shine.) The Teaneck Community Education Center is looking for Site Supervisors, Assistant Site Supervisors, Aides & Substitutes for their before and after school programs in the Teaneck Public Schools. Before school and after school shifts available (part-time only). Hourly rates start at $12/hour. Our management staff will be on-hand to provide information and answer any questions you may have about working with us. To pre-register or for more information contact: Rhona Vega (rvega@teaneckschools.org or call 201-833-5514).
The final decision on the SACC Program will depend upon school openings and the ability to safely social distance. More information will be forthcoming.

Technology
The Technology Department has been preparing for the end of the year while also beginning to work on our summer projects. The Covid-19 Pandemic has forced us to look at how technology will be used in our classrooms next year and to come up with new plans on how to support our students and staff. We have been researching new streaming technologies, subscriptions for our teachers, and professional development. There is a professional development summit planned for our teachers this year to continue integrating technology into instruction.

This summer we will be preparing to open the new Teaneck Board of Education building as well as the new Theodora Smiley Lacey School this September. We will also be preparing brand new Chromebooks for our elementary school students. During the summer, the ChromeDepot will continue to operate on Tuesdays and Thursdays during the same hours as the food distribution.

To all staff and students, please continue to use the Chromebooks over the summer. There are a number of online resources and tools available to continue learning and practice your tech skills over the summer.

Bryant School & Theodora Smiley Lacey School Bryant School
•	Completed last two days of instruction for posting
•	Closed out the year with a virtual graduation video released 6/12 •	Began interview series for Bryant School Principal
•	All Classrooms prepared for summer cleaning •	Town Hall held June 5, 2020

Theodora Smiley Lacey School
•	Updated pictures posted on Lacey School Progress
•	Phase two plans (kitchen, media center and gym, staff room) underway
•	Made final choices on flooring, curtains, doors, tiles, carpets for Phase 2Lacey

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Hawthorne Elementary School

•	In celebration of our Hawthorne School 4th graders, a video message was created which included acknowledgement of clubs members and recipients of key awards. Michael Caldiera and Evonny Quintero Flores were the recipients of the TTEA awards. Stephen Rynd and Kyle Hwang earned 1st and 2nd place respectively in the Continental Math awards competition. Stephen Rynd earned the honor of receiving the Agnes Halajian award, which is given to a student who exemplifies many remarkable qualities.
•	On Friday, June 12, our 4th grade families arrived at Hawthorne School for a heartfelt farewell. Students received personalized lawn signs, moving up certificates, t-shirts and backpacks (both of which were sponsored by the Hawthorne PTA) along with plenty of cheers. It was truly bittersweet.

Lowell Elementary School

1st Grade
6/1 - 6/15 - Students Read a Loud during meets 6/15/20 - Virtual trip to Bronx Zoo
6/15/20 - Trip to the Cincinnati Zoo
6/16/20 - Virtual trip to Smithsonian Museum of Natural History 6/16/20 - Talent show
3rd Grade
6/3 - Virtual Scavenger Hunt during online recess 6/15 - SS - Science year-end party
Create Flip Grid videos of their fairy tale adaptations
Star Math students were recognized for their hard work on Zearn 4th Grade
Lunch Bunch Pet parade (real and stuffed) 6/3/20 - Lunch Bunch Talent Show
San Diego Zoo Virtual Field Trip
6/15/20 - 4th Grade Celebration of Achievement 6/11/20 - Quiz time game
6/16/20 - Virtual Trip to Bronx Zoo SPECIALS
6/2 - 6/9 - 1st & 2nd grades Virtual Online Music Room 6/2 - 6/9 - 3rd & 4th grades Song Choice Board - &
Record yourself singing your favorite song 6/5 - Library Read Aloud
6/8 - PTO Parents Pick Up surprise goodie bags 6/8 - Parents Pick up student’s contents of desk 6/11 - All grades - My Music Memory book 6/11 - Summer Read a Thon Challenge
6/12 – Library Read Aloud
6/12 - PTO Parents Pick Up surprise goodie bags 6/12 - Parents Pick up students’ contents of desk

Superintendent’s Report	Page 7 Whittier Elementary School

•	Mr. Valdes held a town hall meeting on Thursday, June 11, to update parents with information and address any concerns/questions.
•	End of the year preparations took place at Whittier School. During the week of June 1, Teachers had access to the building to clean out their classrooms and students’ desks. Social distancing regulations were followed. On Monday, June 8 and Friday, June 12, students were able to come to the school and pick up their belongings.
•	To honor our fourth grade “moving up” students, the fourth grade team, Ms. Taylor - Music, Mr. Johnson - Media Specialist and the entire Whittier Family have participated in various projects in an attempt to make their “clap out” memorable. The final project will be shared with the students and community online. All fourth grade students will also receive Certificates for their accomplishments, yearbooks and fourth grade t-shirts.

Benjamin Franklin Middle School
•	Since our last report, we have been very busy organization closing out the school year of our building. The Office of Operations and Management have completed the building of the garden at Benjamin Franklin Middle School. The garden will be used to support the biodiversity class and other initiatives in our science program. Because of its close proximity to our MD classroom, we will also provide opportunities for our autistic students incorporate the development by regularly watering our plants, fruits, and flowers in the garden.
•	The Benjamin Franklin Middle School Virtual Ceremony is set. The event will occur on June 22, 2020 at 1pm. Videos from district and building level employees, including our superintendent will be shared as well as video that were provided by students -thanking family and staff for their support.
•	Workshop Wednesdays continued at Benjamin Franklin Middle School throughout the month with guests included a Photographer and a Songwriter who shared their passions with the students of BFMS. This month, we extended Workshop Wednesdays to include students from TJMS and Teaneck High School.
•	BFPTO Elections were held and we will welcome new leadership. During our last meeting held our annual Parent Appreciation Ceremony and award parents Associate Degrees, Bachelor Degrees, Master Degrees, and Doctorate Degrees that corresponded with their level of family engagement during the academic year. Over 200 awards were provided -an all-time high since this program was established. Parent appreciation gifts were awarded to parents
•	Yearbook distribution has begun. Students have come during locker item pick up to retrieve their yearbooks and with the help of the BF PTO, we have seen an increase in sells for the 2020 book.
•	The final Benjamin Franklin Middle School Town Hall meeting was held on Thursday, June 11, 2020 at 7pm. We honored our retirees and thanked staff who are transitioning to other schools in the district.
•	The Teaneck Board of Education approved the partnership between BFMS and Teaneck Creek Conservancy. This will improve programing between the school and this local organization working to promote and expand learning opportunities for our scholars.

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Thomas Jefferson Middle School
•	Progress reports for TJ students will be available online as of Friday, May 15. TJMS's May theme for Student of the Month was Commitment. The photos of these students and their teacher nominations are listed on the school website. Our May Students of the Month were:
o Chelsea Howell - 5th grade
o Gabriel Mejia-Hernandez - 5th grade o Salmon d'Adolf - 6th grade
o Lily Chowdhury - 8th grade o Wajeeha Khan - 8th grade
•	TJMS Art teacher, Brittany Eisele, has put together a virtual art exhibit which includes the masterpieces of our student. The exhibit slideshow can be viewed on the TJMS school website.
•	Students came to TJMS Monday - Friday, June 1st - 5th, to pick up the bagged contents of their lockers. These pickups went very smoothly and safely. Our 8th grade students were each given a celebratory lawn sign to display in front of their homes and a special 8th grade T-shirt.
•	The TJMS Science Department was excited to host our first Virtual Science Fair on Thursday, June 11 and Friday, June 12, to show how hard our 8th grade students have worked in their research and experiments towards completing their projects.
•	The TJMS staff attended a virtual faculty meeting on Friday, June 12, at 11:30 a.m. The agenda included end of the year tasks, virtual graduation and good of the order.
•	We will be holding a virtual Moving Up Ceremony for our 8th graders on June 22 at 10:00 a.m.

Teaneck High School
•	A THS Town Hall meeting was held on June 10, at 6 pm
•	On June 11, current teachers hosted a Virtual Retirement Party to honor their colleagues who are retiring this year.
•	The Senior Athletic awards was held virtually on June 16 at 5pm. •	Senior Portrait signs have been hung around the football field.
•	The Virtual Senior Awards Night will be held on June 18 by invitation only.
•	Yearbooks, Diplomas and Certificates/Awards will be distributed on June 19 in the Cranford Ave parking lot.
•	Student, Parent and Teacher surveys will continue to be distributed and analyzed to adjust the distance learning environment to better serve our students.
•	On Friday’s in June, the THS football field light is turned on, with the scoreboard displaying 2020, from 8:20 pm for 20 minutes and 20 seconds in support and Show of Love for the Class of 2020. Most of the districts in Bergen County are participating.
•	THS teachers, staff members and administration voluntarily meet on Thursday’s at 3:15 pm via Google Meets to discuss how to best serve our students.
•	Senior advisors and other staff members are planning virtual ceremonies that will be created in-house to celebrate the Class of 2020 and their achievements.
•	Spirit week photos and videos are posted daily to the #TeaneckHighSchoolToday Instagram page. The spirit categories were created by Dean Cipriano.
•	The Cranford Ave. parking lot continues to be used to distribute lunches and Chromebooks. Students are able to pick-up their belongings Monday – Friday from 11 am to 1 pm daily in the Cranford Ave parking lot.

Human Resource Management - Staff Vacancy Updates – see attached document