By Dana Drake
October was National Principal Month, and here at Lawrence Township Public Schools (LTPS) we are proud to recognize our terrific principals and assistant principals.
Their dedication to helping our students achieve and become good citizens is evident in everything they do — from their school-wide leadership to individual interactions with students.
Therefore, we would like to acknowledge each of them for their positive impact on our LTPS students, teachers and parents. Principals David Adam (LHS), Jay Billy (SW), Melissa Lockett (LES), William B.J. Meurer (BF), Mindy Milavsky (LMS), Kathy Robbins (EPS), and Cindy Westhead (LIS); and Assistant Principals Amy Amiet (LIS), Anthony Buczynski (LMS), Jessica Cincotta (LHS), Fay Lopez (LHS), and Clifford Williams (LHS).
Also dedicated to our students’ success, are the amazing teachers across our district. As mentioned in last month’s column, the Board and LTEA made significant progress at the Sept. 9 negotiation meeting.
In late September (after the Gazette’s mid-month deadline), the board and LTEA successfully reached a tentative contract settlement. While the terms of the contract have been settled, the board cannot vote until the contract and salary guides have been compiled correctly.
We hope to do so at the next board meeting. Once approved, details of the new three-year agreement will be made public.
The 2015/2016 school year began with a new five-year strategic plan. At last December’s Community Conversation we began discussing what is important to consider in formulating district goals for the 2015-2020 strategic plan.
The conversation continued throughout the winter and spring months, exploring strategic solutions to make certain every student is prepared for the future when they graduate.
A big thank you to all the parents, community members, staff members and students who joined the Administration in developing the 2015-2020 Strategic Plan goals; they are as follows:
Goal 1. Student Growth and Development: Students will excel in problem solving and critical thinking using collaboration, communication, and technology to successfully navigate and balance educational, life and work environments.
Goal 2. Culture of Learning for All: Teachers, administrators, support staff, Board of Education members, and families will continually learn, grow, and develop through participation in personal and professional activities.
Goal 3. Local and Global Community: Students will participate in activities, events, and service learning projects that bring the community into the schools and the schools into the community.
Goal 4. Fiscal Responsibility: The district will continue to prioritize the use of funds and develop long range planning strategies to cause cost containment and to create new revenue sources.
These goals are visible at the monthly School Board meetings — held on the second Wednesday of each month in the LHS Library at 7 p.m.
They are displayed on posters and in the agenda. At each meeting the community is updated on each goal during the Board’s committee reports.
The district expects to receive PARCC scores in November/December. The scores will look very different than the NJASK, therefore stay tuned for information on the website to provide assistance in interpreting the scores.
Reminder, first marking period Parent/Teacher Conferences will be held this month; Nov. 19 – 24 (Grades K – 8) and Nov 23 – 24 (Grades 9 – 12).
District schools will be closed Nov. 5 to 6 for the NJEA Convention, and Nov. 26 to 27 for Thanksgiving Recess. Grades K to 8 will have early dismissal Nov. 19 to 25, and Grades 9 to 12 will have early dismissal Nov. 23 to 25 for Parent/Teacher Conferences.
Dana Drake is a member of the Lawrence Township Board of Education.
