Welcome to the 2013-14 school year!
Lawrence Township Public Schools students will have their first day of school on Monday, Sept. 9, a late start but unavoidable due to this year’s tricky calendar. For your own calendars, please reserve the evening of Nov. 14 for the next Community Conversation in the Lawrence High School Commons, where we’ll hear updates on our strategic plan, discuss concerns and collaborate on next steps.
Speaking of community priorities, the school board has been studying and evaluating LTPS’s athletic programming and facilities. Last year an ad-hoc committee comprising board members Kevin Van Hise, Jo Ann Groeger and Tom Patrick solicited input and information from parents, students and residents. Last spring our superintendent, Dr. Crystal Edwards, created a multi-faceted and district-wide Athletic Strategic Plan.
On Tuesday, Sept. 3, Lawrence High School will host our first Family Athletics Network (FAN) Information Night. Information will be available regarding activities and teams, try-outs, practices and resources for college-bound athletes. Other meetings will follow. Please be part of FAN and join us at 7 p.m. in the High School Commons, 2525 Princeton Pike, as we work together to expand and improve upon extra-curricular activities for all students.
This summer, among other projects, business administrator Tom Eldridge and our entire buildings and grounds staff have focused on improving athletic facilities. No, we can’t afford that artificial turf field, but here are a few examples of other upgrades: the cardio room is complete, the Lawrence Middle School gym has a resurfaced floor and new bleachers, Slackwood Elementary School has exercise equipment stations and a new walkway (thank you, Lawrence Township Education Foundation), Lawrenceville Intermediate School has new macadam for its basketball courts, and many athletic areas share a unified theme of Cardinal red paint.
Finally, please take a few minutes to fill out an online survey from the Boys & Girls Club of Mercer County which, under its expanded design, will serve many of our kids. The survey can be accessed at https://conta.cc/19dOQyY. For more information contact Debra Wachspress at (609) 392-3191, Ext. 31.
Laura Waters, Ph.D., is president of the Lawrence Township Board of Education. Her email is laurawaters6@gmail.com.
