District looking forward to new school year
Superintendent, Dr. Richard Perry, addresses the upcoming school year
The following is courtesy of the Monroe Township Superintendent’s office:
Monroe Township School District looks forward to a great 2018–19 school year. There have been several major initiatives proposed and initiated in areas of personnel, facilities, safety/security, curricular programs and innovative research-based pedagogy.
In terms of central office new leadership personnel, Dr. Richard Perry, former Haddonfield Superintendent of Schools, has begun his stewardship as the Monroe Township Superintendent of Schools along with an additional assistant superintendent of schools, Lynn DiPietropolo, a former Woodbury and Clementon Superintendent of Schools.
According to Perry, this school-year will emphasize enhancing STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) curricular initiatives, by way of adding programs and expanding partnerships with colleges and universities engineering schools, in addition to concentrating on curricular reviews and proposals, involving foreign languages, the arts and pathways that will enable all students to achieve and accomplish their individually driven goals.
“Community partnerships, volunteerism, and continually seeking to improve the quality of educational endeavors are key components to our district’s success,” Perry stated. “As a district, we want to build upon community trust and create an awareness of all the good things that are happening and will continue to happen in the future within our school district.”
Perry described Monroe School District as “a ‘sleeping giant’ with a lot of potential in terms of becoming one of the premier school districts in South Jersey by ‘Creating Pathways for Student Success by providing Educational Excellence’ as a central theme moving forward.”
Safety and security will, also, be important priorities during the upcoming school year, according to Perry.
“It is incumbent on us as leaders to ensure the security and safety of every student, who attends all of our schools. This includes effectively managing and maintaining all of our school buildings, strengthening security via school safety related initiatives, and effectively and efficiently supporting a positive school culture.”
Curricular programs that were recently revised and updated include high school business program, FACS, IT, and VPA electives, honors biology, honors physics, French, German, U.S. history, K-12 ELA curricula, algebra, educational psychology, OTP and social studies. Professional development opportunities for teachers and staff, involving learning goals, various forms of summative and formative assessment strategies, and technology-based cross curricular initiatives have also been planned for the upcoming 2018–19 school year, including targeted student-centered activities and collaborative, innovative instructional-based teaching strategies.
Williamstown High School
Williamstown High School rolled out the new school year in style. Students were dressed to impress on their first day of school as they celebrated the occasion by walking the “Red Carpet” into school. There was also a giant balloon arch that highlights the blue and white pride to welcome them back. The WHS Marching Band provided a musical backdrop for the festivities and the school choir serenaded the students as they found their way to homeroom.
There will be a “student emphasis” on success during this upcoming school year involving working with “Student Involvement Committees” and student leaders of organizations in order to enhance and implement new student-centered initiatives and programs. There will also be “Site Council” — driven revitalization strategies that will investigate new and innovative ways to strengthen school culture and programs. In addition, there will be significant efforts to establish and build upon relationships with the community in a variety of ways.
Curricular programs are a top priority in which AP programs will be reviewed and expanded, academy partnerships will be further explored and developed, and areas of the work force, including the trades, will be revitalized and created by way of establishing new pathways and private sector innovative, working partnerships.
Technology for students will also be expanded, offering one to one initiatives, turnkey programs, involving Google Apps and Google Classroom training for staff, and implementing various technology platform based strategies in which seniors will reach out to seniors in the community as support to learn about and use technology.
Williamstown Middle School
At the middle school, many new and very exciting challenges await our students and community.
This summer the PBSIS team met and refined the RISE program in response to the voices of the staff, students and community and after reflecting on years one and two at WMS. Educators will be utilizing an online ticketing system, which will provide for more consistency and the ability to easily track, use and monitor ticketing. This and other updates will be turn-keyed to our entire staff and students in September.
Additionally, educators will continue our 1–1 technology initiative throughout grades 5–8 this year. All WMS students will be issued a Chromebook that they will use throughout the school day. Students in grades 6–8 will also be able to take these Chromebooks home. Educators hope to have this technology back into the hands of every student by the end of the first week of school as we continue to prepare our students to be successful in school, college, careers and a competitive global economy.
In 2018–2019, WMS will again be expanding their character education program by hosting two Challenge Days, a student-empowerment program on Nov. 1 and 2. Our seventh- and eighth-grade students will have the opportunity to self-nominate to participate in this program shortly after the opening of school in September.
Last year’s musical, “Shrek, Jr.,” showcased the tremendous amount of performing arts talent that we have in the student body, and the drama department will open the year by announcing that this coming spring WMS will very proudly present “Beauty and the Beast!”
The middle school interscholastic sports schedule will offer athletes the ability to participate in field hockey, cross country, basketball, wrestling, cheerleading and track and field. WMS anticipates a competitive and very rewarding season for our middle school student athletes.
WMS welcomes and looks forward to greeting our parents and guardians at our Back to School Night beginning at 6:45 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 13.
Elementary schools
During this past summer and into the new school year, the elementary schools have been involved in many programs and initiatives to ensure student success.
Radix Elementary School is focusing on creating life-long learners and developing good citizens in collaboration with teachers, a supportive PTA, and parent partnerships as students embark on another school year of an educational journey, by way of, beginning their journey with sharing their summer activities through their “The World According to Humphrey’s” journals.
Oak Knoll students will continue to teach the students responsibility and pride within their school, continuing with the “Golden Dust Pan Award,” in addition to implementing “The Silver Spoon Award.” This award will be given weekly during each lunch period to the classroom who keeps their area the cleanest. There will be a focus on “positive school culture and climate,” involving developing social skills, creating murals, along with RTI (Response to Intervention) programs to help support all students.
Holly Glen teachers worked collaboratively over the summer, gathering materials to move and prepare for the first day of school at their new locations throughout the school district. Even though there are challenges, teachers, students, parents and community members have all galvanized and worked together for the benefit of the students’ success and educational experiences. The Holly Glen committee is working on establishing activities throughout the school year to maintain the sense of school community and support for the students. Academically, technology will also play a critical role with regard to our students’ educational programs. ST Math, Aleks, Exact Path, Wixie, Typing Club and learning_Ally will become part of Holly Glen students’ educational growth during this upcoming school year.
White Hall Elementary school had new cafeteria tables and benches installed over the summer and the cafeteria was painted along with all classrooms utilized by Holly Glen students. Also, the blacktop was resurfaced with hopscotch added and a “Welcome back” message was placed in front of the school for the teachers first day. In addition, the PTO prepared a luncheon for all White Hall and Holly Glen staff. An emphasis on literacy support and “student centered” collaborative instructional strategies, involving cross curricular based initiatives will be primary areas of focus during the upcoming school-year.
All of Monroe Township Schools are looking forward to a fantastic school year and are very appreciative of the support from the board of education, administrators, teachers, parents, students, and community as we move through a new educational transformational paradigm through the 21st century.
