Superintendent’s Report June 26, 2019

Student & Staff Recognition
Prior to this meeting, we held a special reception for our most recent district retirees and for Mr. Vincent McHale, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum & Instruction, who we wish the very best in his new role as Superintendent of Closter.

End of Year Memo
I have attached my “End of Year” memo that will go out to our Teaneck families. This memo includes the highlights of the many accomplishments of the past year and I promise that the best is yet to come!

District Strategic Plan
This evening, Ms. Patricia Dent, Supervisor of ELA/ESL and Strategic Plan Co-Chair, and I will be presenting our new District Strategic Plan. This plan will be posted on our website and will be the blueprint to guide our district forward for the next five years.

Leadership Training
On June 25 – 27, I will be conducting Leadership Training for our Executive Team, principals, directors, supervisors and assistant principals. The majority of this training will be focused on the Institute for Learning (IFL). We will also introduce the newest members of our leadership team, discuss diversity & inclusion, and take part in a team-building exercise.

Transition to Insight/Paraprofessionals
According to Human Resources, we have 102 full day paraprofessionals who are in the classroom and/or attached to a student with an IEP. As of June 14, we had 88 sign up out of 102 or 87%. An additional 20 para’s came in to meet our team on Monday at our Eugene Field location. Additionally, approximately 15 people who were not part of the current para program attended one of the sessions over the last week. The Insight team also met with the principals and secretaries on June 17 to introduce their program and processes.

P.R.I.D.E. Month
In honor of P.R.I.D.E. month, and at the request of a Town Council member, Dr. Amy Moran, who oversees the district’s Spectrum program, attended the June 18 Teaneck Town Council Meeting. A few students attended the meeting with her and she shared information regarding the Spectrum program. Spectrum is considered a Gender and Sexuality Alliance (GSA) in support of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer/questioning, asexual, and gender nonbinary (LGBTIQA+) students and--by extension--LGBTIQA+ teachers, administrators, family members, and the greater Teaneck community.

Since 2007, each April, Spectrum hosts “Ally Week’, during which Spectrum participants invite members of the THS community to take the Ally Week Pledge. By taking this pledge, allies agree to 1.) Not use anti-LGBTIQA+ language and 2.) Stand up for anyone being bullied if they can safely do so. On Friday of Ally Week, Spectrum hosts the Day of Silence, which is a nation-wide, school-based, social-justice action in schools, first launched in 1996, and which takes place in April. On the Day of Silence, participants take

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a vow of silence for the day to symbolize the ways in which LGBTIQA+ people have been silence throughout history and across cultures by exclusion from things like protective legislation, social practices, and even school curricula.

FDU & TPS Summer Dual Enrollment Program
I am pleased to announce approximately 40 students have signed up to take advantage of our latest collaborative college program – the Fairleigh Dickinson University & Teaneck Public Schools Dual Enrollment Summer Program. As previously reported, through this program, Teaneck High School students (grades 9 – 12) will have the ability to take up to four FDU college courses at our high school for only $250 per course. This offer was also made available to our non-public high school students at a slightly higher price – but still a significant savings.

Pre-K Grant for 2019-2020
Preparation is well underway for our third preschool location (with a contracted provider - AUCC Academy) to be ready for the grand opening in September. AUCC plans to host an Open House event in mid-August. Meantime, we have completed pre-k registrations for 138 new students who will participate this fall. Each family provided their order of preference for placement at one of our three locations and final placement letters will be sent out in August. For families who do not receive an acceptance letter, their child’s name will be placed on our waitlist.

Superintendent’s Advisory Committees
The Beyond Diversity and Student Code of Conduct Review committees presented reports at the June 12 Board meeting. Copies of these presentations are available on our website: http://www.teaneckschools.org/SuperintendentSteeringCommittees.aspx

Curriculum & Instruction
The Assistant Superintendent submitted the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) Consolidated Grants for Title I, IIA, III, and IV and Title I Reallocated grants. The total amount of these entitlement grants is $ $864,532.

Summer assignments for students have been posted to the district website. Parents and students are encouraged to check http://www.teaneckschools.org/Students.aspx for the assignments.

The C&I supervisors will be working with teachers on curriculum writing projects this summer. There will be thirty-five curriculum documents that will be revised or created.

Community Relations & Volunteer Services
We are pleased to announce that over 180 kindergarten and 136 pre-k students are now registered for the 2019-2020 school year. Kindergarten enrollment lists have been sent to their respective schools. We are now working toward completion of the nursing portion of our registration process for pre-k. Also, Camp Kookooskoos began on June 24 with 167 camp participants (up by about 30 students from last year). The summer camp program runs through August 2.
Other notable current projects include:
•	Participation in recent athletic awards and honors ceremonies, as well as all moving-up and high school graduation ceremonies to post pictures on district Facebook page

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•	 Superintendent Video messages – the third video was released on June 4th focused on the district’s summer offerings and inviting everyone to the Strategic Plan presentation on June 26
•	Teacher of the Year Reception – over 50 people attended this special reception on June 12

•	Retiree & Best Wishes Reception – planning for this special event held this evening (June 26) •	Planning for this week’s Leadership Training (June 25-27)
•	 The Superintendent issued letters on the following topics – Camp Shalom Town Hall, New Principal Hires & Strategic Plan Presentation, and a special summer message to all staff. Dr. Irving also issued a district-wide phone call wishing everyone a wonderful summer and inviting everyone to tonight’s Strategic Plan presentation.

Technology
The Technology Department is now preparing the Chromebooks for the 1:1 initiative in the high school. We have student interns who are working alongside the department to help set up and prepare the Chromebooks for students in September.

Additionally, the district-owned school bus now has a camera system as well as GPS tracking. This will help the transportation department to monitor the bus and to help keep our students safe. Over the summer, the technology department will be cleaning up technology throughout the district and preparing classrooms for when schools open in September.

Bryant Elementary School
Recent activities/events at Bryant include: •	Successful moving-up ceremonies
•	End of year picnic held in Bryant School
•	Many business donated to the end of year Teacher Celebration
•	End of the year student data shows student met and most often exceeded their K reading.

Hawthorne Elementary School
Recent activities/events at Hawthorne include:
•	 Mr. Jennette prepared the Hawthorne 2019 / 2020 Title I School Wide Grant and has been working with Ms. Pitt to smoothly transition her into the role as Hawthorne’s new Principal.

Whittier Elementary School
Recent events/activities at Whittier include:
•	 During the month of June, students participated in a number of fun and academic events and celebrations.
•	 All grade levels held end-of-year celebrations. Kindergarten and grade 1 students performed a musical presentation entitled “Going Buggy.” In addition, grade 1 classes held a luau. The students in grade 2 performed musical numbers, watch a video of each classes’ George Street Playhouse performance and presented their writing and work accomplished throughout the year. Grade 3 students participated in musical and instrumental performances by class. Field days were held for Grades KG, 1 and 2 on May 24 and for Grades 3 and 4 on June 18.
•	 First and second grade classes presented a Science Fair on June 13. The Science Fair included investigations/experiments which aligned with their respective curriculum.

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•	 Former Whittier student and newly published author, Cynthia-Mae Hunt, came to Whittier to read her book “The Man Who Walked Five Dogs” to the fourth grade class. She generously donated 20 signed copies of the book to the school.
•	 The PTO held its annual Family Barbecue. The safety patrol students from Whittier, Lowell and Hawthorne had their annual picnic at the Teaneck Swim Club.
•	 The Teaneck Library visited Whittier to speak with the students about this year’s summer reading program. Whittier will hold its Summer Math and Literacy Program in July.
•	 Whittier School celebrated its fourth grade class with a number of special events. The annual trip to Spring Lake, sponsored by the Whittier PTO, took place on Monday, June 3. Students enjoyed a day of fun activities, good food and social time with their classmates. A yearbook signing and ice cream party took place on June 14. The year culminated with a memorable Moving Up Ceremony on Thursday, June 20, where students and their achievements were recognized.

Benjamin Franklin Middle School
Recent activities/events at BFMS include:
•	 On June 6, 5th graders visited the Liberty Science Center. On that same day, students from BFMS in Ridgewood visited our school to team up with our BFMS 8th grade students. The students participated in a Harkness instructional activity.
•	 Chorus students performed at the American Young Voices concert at the Prudential Center on June 7.
•	Student of the Month ceremony (June 12), highlighted the character trait of integrity.
•	 The annual 8th grade awards ceremony was held on June 13. Students were recognized and awarded plaque for excellence in categories. In addition 8th grade students who have earned Principal's honor roll and/or honor roll, throughout their time in middle school, were awarded with medals.
•	On June 14, 8th grade students attended their "senior trip" to the Camelback Resort. •	The 8th grade chorus held a special showcase of their talent on June 17.
•	 On June 18, the Multimedia Production and TAG classes hosted a BF Film Festival. This festival included a display of award-winning video clips which were written, produced, directed, and performed by BF students.
•	The BFMS moving up ceremony took place at THS on June 19.
•	On June 20, we said our final farewell to the 8th graders via a school-wide clap out.

Thomas Jefferson Middle School
Recent activities/events at TJMS include:
•	 On May 14, the Food Advisory Committee met with a representative from Food Services to discuss improvements for our lunch selections. This was a follow-up meeting to the October committee meeting.
•	 On May 15, the 7th grade Forensic Students went on a field trip to Bergen Community College. It was very informative, and the students seemed to enjoy it very much.
•	 On May 16, a Dance and Drama Showcase was held in the evening. TJ’s dance and drama students showed off their talents in some excellent performances.
•	 The Fine & Performing Arts Department held its annual Spring Concert at 7:00 p.m. on May 23. The concert was well attended and our students performed exceptionally well.
•     On May 23, the 8th grade students went on a field trip to Broadway to see To Kill a Mockingbird. The trip was sponsored by the TJMS PTO. The students participated in a coupon book fundraiser

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to raise funds for the trip.
•	 On Thursday morning, May 30, incoming 5th graders from the three elementary schools visited Thomas Jefferson Middle School. They toured the building and visited the 5th grade classrooms.
•	 Our annual Walk & Talk for the parents of incoming 5th graders was held on May 30 at 6pm. The parents were shown a PowerPoint presentation about Thomas Jefferson Middle School. There was a question and answer session followed by a tour of the building in three small groups led by 5th grade teachers and a visit to the 5th grade classrooms.
•	 Also on May 30, 6:30-8:00 p.m., Ms. Iappelli, Ms. Roberts and Ms. Connors presented “We Scream, I Scream for Reading.” Students learned how to advance their reading skills over the summer and how to complete the summer reading packet – followed by an ice cream party.
•	 The 7th and 8th grade music students performed at the High Note Festival in Jackson on May 30. Our students scored “superior” in all areas.
•	 Eighth Grade Spirit Week was June 11 – 14. There were several fun activities planned by the Thomas Jefferson PTO. Students went on a field trip to Kalahari Water Park in Pennsylvania on Tuesday, June 11. They had their Awards Ceremony on Wednesday, June 12. Eighth grade students received pins for achieving Honor Roll or Principals Honor Roll for all four marking periods. Students also received certificates for high achievement in each subject. After the Awards Ceremony, yearbooks were distributed, and students had their friends and teachers sign them during the luau-themed BBQ and Field Day, which was held that afternoon on the blacktop and the fields behind the school. On Thursday, June 13, the Eighth Grade Dance was held at the Glenpointe Marriott. Students were elegantly dressed and seemed to be having a wonderful and memorable time. On Friday, June 14, the eighth graders spent the day at the Teaneck Swim Club enjoying the pool and picnic area.
•	 On Tuesday, June 18, 137 Thomas Jefferson Middle School 8th graders graduated in a very moving ceremony at Teaneck High School. Our 8th Grade Chorus sang the Thomas Jefferson Middle School Alma Mater in English and Spanish and also performed the song, Remember Me. Ms. Davis presented the Thomas Jefferson Middle School Class of 2019 to Mr. LoGiudice, Interim Principal.

Teaneck High School
Recent and upcoming activities/events at THS include:
•	 On Monday, June 3, Teaneck HS held its annual Athletic Awards night at the Glenpointe Marriott, celebrating the achievements and leadership of our student athletes for the 2018-2019 school year.
•	 On Tuesday, June 11, Teaneck HS held its annual Honors Convocation at the Glenpointe Marriott, celebrating the academic achievements of the Class of 2019.
•	 On Thursday, June 20, Teaneck HS held its 89th Commencement Exercises for the Class of 2019. Graduation was held indoors because of inclement weather and was a great success. During the ceremony, there was a memorial tribute to the late Danna Trinidad.
•	 Teaneck HS will host various summer programs for the district this summer including the Extended School Year Program and Math and Literacy for Hawthorne, TJMS and BFMS. High school based programs include SAT Prep, FDU courses for college credits, and a College Essay Writing class among others.

Human Resource Management
Staff Vacancy Updates – see attached document