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DISCOVER
Livingston Public Schools
Empowering all to learn, create, contribute and grow.
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Featured Photo: Preseason bonding when Lancers take the field.
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Classrooms may be empty of students, but the countdown to our first day is down to the wire with teachers and staff already back to work preparing for the new school year.
Throughout the district, educators are attending workshops on curriculum initiatives and new resources, with hands-on lessons in math and science. A few (as our photos show) are even launching rockets!
It’s all part of the professional development taking place as we prepare to open school for about 6,000 students on Tuesday, Sept. 5.
Administrators have finalized and adopted a strategic map to continue a legacy of excellence. They are developing strategies around 1:1 computing and using technology in meaningful ways. New this year is a pilot for a new schedule at Heritage Middle School and a STEAM (Sciences, Technology, Engineering/Design, Arts, Mathematics) program for Grades K-6. Schools are working to infuse mindfulness at all levels and creating a challenging and nurturing environment for every student.
Helping students achieve academically is a goal. But as Superintendent Christina Steffner, in her convocation reminded educators, it is equally as important to provide students a supportive and safe place in this time of global uncertainties.
“While it is a huge task, I cannot think of a better group of people to manage that,” she said.
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New Teachers Aim for Moon
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Teachers new to Livingston Public Schools may never forget their first day. Beginning on Monday, Aug. 21, an orientation to our schools literally eclipsed their expectations.
Experienced administrators and supervisors shared their knowledge on best classroom practices and reviewed professional responsibilities. The new faculty and staff also took part in collaborative exercises. They met teacher-mentors and the principals who will offer support throughout the year.
On Day 1, the support was easy: Administrators handed out the protective glasses needed for the new teachers to safely watch the solar eclipse. Then together, they stepped outside for communal stargazing.
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Livingston teachers raised their voices alongside the LHS choir on Wednesday, Aug. 30. The new school year for about 850 teachers and staff began with a convocation by Superintendent Christina Steffner and welcome breakfast hosted by the Full Gospel Church.
WATCH as teachers and students sing the LHS Alma Mater.
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Schools were busy throughout the summer, and especially in the days leading up to the first day. Teachers organized their classrooms, papered bulletin boards with welcoming messages. Then there are the custodians deep cleaning entire schools, waxing floors, pushing brooms. It’s all part of a team effort to get the schools student ready for Tuesday, Sept. 5.
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For many teachers, the summer provided opportunities for professional development and lifelong learning. A special program was organized to make new teachers feel welcome and provided all the practical things they need to know to be successful in Livingston Public Schools.
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District supervisors organized a variety of collaborative (and fun) exercises for the staff. Shown, Brian Miccichi, teacher of technology ed; Andrew Reitter, school counselor; Shira Roth, MPE teacher; Catherine Steege, social work; Patrice Hanvey, Collins teacher; and Jessica Sental, MPMS library media specialist, problem solve during the new teacher orientation.
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Top, Bethany Levat, speech language specialist, and Abraham Gelb, a biology teacher, work together during new teacher orientation. Also partnering were Kate Romeo, student assistant counselor, and high school teacher Sarah Pasculli.
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The LHS leadership team has a new look under Principal Mark Stern. In center, Jenna McCarthy is the new assistant principal, and Amro Mohammed has joined as Dean of Students. They are shown with Bronawyn O'Leary and Danielle Rosenzweig, assistant principals. Sinead Crews is the new director of guidance.
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Marybeth Kopacz, the new Director of Curriculum & Instruction - Humanities, led professional development on teaching, learning and literacy. She is shown with Christine Cemelli, Heritage gifted & talented/enrichment teacher.
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Teachers enjoyed their reunions after the summer break. Shown catching up in the LHS media center are Heritage teachers Gregory Peters, science teacher; Patrick Nann, physical education teacher; Barrie Satin, social worker; Kristin Pannorfi, school psychologist; and James Merlo, physical education teacher.
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Schools open first for teachers, who officially arrived the week before the first bells ring. Shown, Victoria Fiore, a third-grade teacher at Collins, and Alexandra Fiore, Mt. Pleasant Middle School art teacher, enter LHS for the traditional welcome breakfast.
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Teacher assignments and schedules are posted in the
Genesis Parent Access
, the online technology Livingston uses to share student information, report cards and attendance.
Please review and update contact information for emergencies and district messages. Parents will also find required forms, including the LPS Code of Conduct.
Two important electronic approvals are included. The first allows schools to share class rosters and email addresses with their Home and School Association (HSA) or Parent-Teacher Association (PTA). The groups use the information to update parents on school and class activities and supplies.
The all-media request will allow students to be photographed, interviewed, and filmed as part of district, school and class activities, awards and athletics.
DEADLINE: All forms are due by Friday, Sept. 15.
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Back-to-school night is an important ritual marking the beginning of the new school year. Here are the dates for each school:
Wednesday, Sept. 13: Heritage*
Thursday, Sept. 14: LHS*
Tuesday, Sept. 19: Mt. Pleasant Elementary
Tuesday, Sept. 26: Burnet Hill
Wednesday, Sept. 27: Hillside
Wednesday, Sept. 27: Riker Hill
Thursday, Sept. 28: Collins
Thursday, Sept. 28: Harrison
Wednesday, Oct. 4: Mt. Pleasant Middle
* Parent training on 1:1 devices will take place prior to back-to-school nights at Heritage and LHS.
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NEW this September: Teachers and students in Grades 6-12 will be using Schoology, a learning management system, to communicate online. Replacing the district teacher webpages, Schoology will provide a convenient place to easily find course information, including assignments and materials.
Genesis will remain as the official gradebook and the primary resource for reviewing grades.
Students will have access at the beginning of the school year. For now, parents can view the teacher pages through their student's account. Later this fall, parents will receive instructions on how to set up their own Schoology accounts to see their child’s course information and calendar.
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The Lancer football team, marching band and cheerleaders took to the field they will share throughout the fall sports season with a spirited bonding exercise on August 24 to appreciate the talent and work that goes into each of their sports.
Safeties and linebackers tackled basic cheers and attempted marching an 8 to 5 step. Band members began a play from a three-point stance. Cheerleaders attempted field goals. None of it was easy, but the event went a long way in building a greater understanding and appreciation among the students.
“Every Friday and Saturday night when we’re out here, it’s all about the green and white,” said Michael Jedwabnik, assistant director of the LHS marching band.
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Livingston Public Schools has consistently been committed to maintaining a safe environment for all students. We continue to ensure our staff and students are focused on creating schools free of bullying.
At a recent meeting of the Board of Education, administrators provided an explanation of how the district assesses programs, approaches and initiatives as part of its Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying (HIB) analysis. Learn more by clicking
HERE.
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It happens every other year: New Jersey Monthly ranks New Jersey’s top towns. In compiling the chart, the magazine looks at the factors a home buyer would consider: home prices, real estate taxes, school results, crime rates, and access to essentials and amenities such as hospitals, theaters and restaurants.
Who's hot? Livingston is ranked No. 20!
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Livingston's "Ceremony of Remembrance" on Monday, Sept. 11 will be observed at 6:30 p.m. at the 9-11 Living Memorial Garden on the Oval. The LHS chorus will perform, and high school students will offer reflections on the day. Members of the Boy and Girl Scouts will also participate in the program.
The ceremony will take place in the Memorial Garden, which blooms for contemplation and healing and features a sundial made from pieces of steel removed from the rubble of the World Trade Center.
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The community is invited to "Unite Against Hate" on Monday, Sept. 4 at 7:45 p.m. The Livingston Clergy Association and Livingston Committee for Diversity and Inclusion are partnering to lead this candlelight vigil at the Presbyterian Church of Livingston, 271 W. Northfield Road. Voices in Harmony, an interfaith choral ensemble conducted by Cantor Perry Fine of Temple Beth Shalom, will perform, and community members and leaders will share their thoughts and inspirational readings.
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La Cinematheque Film Club will present a new series of film screenings this fall. “Women Film Directors” will be a chronology of pictures directed by women from around the world, produced from 1962 to the present day. The screenings are curated and hosted by artist, filmmaker and LHS teacher Gerard Amsellem. For more information, click
HERE
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The Diabetes Resource Network will sponsor a Color Run 5K run/walk on Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 4 at 10 a.m.-12 p.m. at Littell Pond, Livingston. Register
by clicking HERE.
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The Livingston UNICO Carnival is happening Thursday, Sept. 14-Sunday, Sept. 17 at The Shoppes at the Livingston Circle, 277 Eisenhower Parkway. Livingston UNICO and students from LHS will volunteer during the event featuring beer and wine garden, music, food, and rides. Funds raised will be donated to local non-profit organizations, including the Cancer Center at Saint Barnabas Medical Center, Community Hunger Outreach Warehouse, and Livingston High School student scholarships.
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LTV has launched a new digital series,
What’s Happening in Livingston. LTV is operated by volunteers who have an interest in television programming, production, operations and marketing and are dedicated to bringing local information, entertainment, and education to the Livingston community. It airs on Comcast (Channel 34) and Verizon (Channels 26 & 28).
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The Livingston Board of Education has approved an academic calendar for the
2018-2019
school year. View it on the LPS website by clicking
HERE.
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The Children's Theatre of Livingston is enrolling students for acting and improv classes. Find the registration form and information by clicking
HERE.
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The Welcome to Livingston picnic is Monday, Sept. 18 from 5:30-7 p.m. at the Livingston Senior/Community Center, 204 Hillside Ave. Meet with educators from Livingston Public Schools, the mayor, town council, and a variety of community groups.
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The next meeting of the Livingston Education Foundation is 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 12 at the district's administrative offices, 11 Foxcroft Drive. The foundation has a renewed focus on the future of Livingston schools, our students and our community. RSVP by emailing
mlehren@livingston.org
Did you go to school in Livingston? We want to hear from you. Click
HERE to tell us who you are. Include your email address, home address and year of graduation.
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DISCOVER Livingston Public Schools
2017-2018 School Year / No. 4
Marilyn Joyce Lehren
Manager of Communications
Community Outreach
Livingston Public Schools
(973) 535-8000 ext. 8036
STAY CONNECTED
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DISCOVER is the e-newsletter from Livingston Public Schools with stories about students, teachers, and programs, and news about recent accomplishments and awards.
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