RCS Newsletter: July 2014

2014 NJ Junior HS State Champions

The 2013-2014 school year proved to be a very productive and

exciting year. Much has been accomplished through the efforts

of our administration, staff, students and you, the community.

The purpose of this newsletter is to help you see the exciting

progress of our students and district. A large part of the suc-

cess of schools today comes from the support given by the com-

munity. With that in mind, we invite you to connect with our

schools in the upcoming school year by coming to our events,

taking a course or trip with the Community School, visit-

WELCOME TO OUR NEWSLETTER

2014 - 2015 Budget Understand our commitment to

providing the best educational

expierience for your child.

Page 7

Teachers of the Year Teachers of the Year for the 2013-2014

school year at the June 2, 2014 board of

education meeting.

Page 10

Full Day KindergartenRoxbury Public Schools will implement

full-day Kindergarten begining in the

2014 - 2015 school year.

Page 5

Issue No. 1 - July 2014

Roxbury Township Board of Education

Our SCHOOLS

Roxbury TownshipPUBLIC SCHOOLS

www.roxbury.org

ing our website and engaging with us through social media.

Together, the Board of Education, administration, fac-

ulty and staff of the Roxbury School District take pride

in our efforts to meet the diverse needs of our stu-

dents and in all that has been accomplished in our schools.

Theresa D'AgostinoPresident, Board of Education

Roxbury Township PUBLIC SCHOOLS2

Technologically, Roxbury is a progressive district actively upgrading its infrastructure to prepare students for the 21st Century Skills they will need to thrive beyond graduation and in life. This year, we made wireless Internet available district-wide, purchased more iPads, added

a computer lab at EMS, and even purchased a 3D Printer. The district also piloted a 1:1 Google Chromebook Initiative at the high school, and became a leader among our peers for field testing the new PARCC tests, which every school dis-trict in the state will implement beginning in January 2015.

1-TO-1 TECHNOLOGY INITIATIVE

Preparing for TomorrowCollaboration, Communication, Critical-Thinking & Creativity

In order for the Roxbury Township Public Schools to prepare our students of today for

tomorrow, we need to provide them with an engaging, personalized curriculum that will

inspire and empower students to flourish as ethical and global citizens in the 21st century.

All students have unique needs, abilities, interest and Educational technology enables

students to experience a more personalized curriculum to gain the 21st century skills

necessary to be successful in college and career. Our commitment to creating digital learning

environments will be evident through our new 1-to-1 technology initiative.

The initiative launched a pilot study for 90 students who utilized Google Chromebooks in

select English and Math classes. For the 2014 - 2015 school year, the district will expand

the initiative to 7th and 8th grades at Eisenhower Middle School and 9th and 10th grades

at Roxbury High School.

The long-term goals of the 1-to-1 initiative are to:

• Increase Student engagement

• Personalize instruction to meet student's needs, abilities and interests

• Foster the growth of the 4 C's — Collaboration, Communication, Critical-Thinking and

Creativity.

Jared Weiss Earns National Award of ExcellenceA Kennedy School second grader, Jared earned one of three National Award of Excellence in the Literature, Primary Division of the PTA Reflections program.

RHS Top 10The following students achieved GPAs in the top ten percent of the 2014 graduating class of Roxbury High School:

Rachel Yang — Valedictorian

Michela Patoilo — Salutorian

Cynthia Zheng

Steven Maksymowych

Morgan Castle

Danielle Rodriguez

Jasmine-Ann Satorre

Rachel Straub

Michael DiDomenico

Danielle Alliegro

Image credit: Google

Roxbury Township PUBLIC SCHOOLS 3

Image credit: Roxbury Register

ROXBURYCOMMUNITY SCHOOLCommunity School Adds Preschool and Afterschool tutoring pro-grams; Summer Programs and Trips Available.

Summer programs for July and August are underway with a wide variety of camp

options for parents, including:

• Band Camp at RHS

• Broadway Bound Theatrical Camp (Willy Wonka Kids)

• Calling all Kids Preschool Camp

• Ceramics Course

• Enrichment Camp for Grades 1-8 (half day and full day programs)

• Film Camp

• Gardening at Kennedy School

• Mad Science Camps (August only)

• SAT Prep Courses

• Tennis Camp

The Community School Trips The Roxbury Community School will run trips to the Museum of Natural History

on July 13 and a cruise to Ellis Island/State of Liberty on August 3.

If you have any questions, please call the Community School at 973-584-7699 or

email [email protected].

Visit www. roxbury.org/Summer for more information.

In 2014, Roxbury High School seniors were accepted into over 294 different colleges and universities!

Broadway Bound Summer Camp

roxbury.org/BroadwayBound

Ellis Island & Statue of Liberty CruiseAugust 3, 2014

Roxbury.org/Trips

RHS will host two, 3-day college essay workshops through the Community School.

Tuition: $90 in district, $125 out of district. Workshop #1: August 5, 6, 7 Workshop #2: August 12, 13, 14 Time: 8am - 1pm Roxbury High School, Room P239 Instructor: Maria Rispoli

WORKSHOP

www.roxbury.org/CollegeEssay


As Roxbury supports the full implementation of the Common Core State Standards in

Mathematics, a shift in the teaching and learning of mathematics K-6 will take

place in accordance with its curriculum plan for the next four years. The emphasis

becomes the proficiency of key topics at each grade level, and the recognition that

mathematical understanding and procedural skills are equally as important in the

development of mathematical learning.

A math workshop model, consisting of whole group instruction, small group

instruction, and work stations where students interact with one another to build their

problem solving skill and mathematical thinking, will be the methods used to deliver

instruction.

Part of this process involved the implementation of the Math in Focus curriculum

for grades K-2 in the 2013-2014 school year. For the 2014-2015 school year, the

curriculum will be expanded for grades 3 to 5. For more information, please visit

www.Roxbury.org/MathinFocus

MATHIN FOCUS

Common Core

Upper elementary school teachers

attend a Model Drawing Workshop

presented by Dr. Mokato Yoshida

in preparation for next year's full

implementation of Math in Focus.

Model Drawing, also known as Bar

Modeling, is an essential skill in the

Math Program that provides students

with a pictorial representation to sup-

port their problem solving.

2014 State Champs

The Eisenhower Middle School Golden Eagles chess team achieved much success in

the 2013-2014 school year, earning the 2014 NJ Junior HS State Championship in

early spring and capturing First Place against a field of 47 other chess teams at the

Northwest New Jersey K through 8 Chess Championship in mid-May.

On the CoverUnder the expert coaching of chess

team advisor Jeffery Mittag, players

have worked diligently and played

skillfully to reach impressive heights.

Players are trained using the United

States Chess Federation rules including

all chess protocols and courtesies.


Full-Day KindergartenRoxbury to Implement Full-Day Kindergarten Beginning in September "Implementing full-day Kindergarten was a now or never proposition and a hands-on planning process requiring innovative teamwork among principals and administrators," said Dr. Patrick Tierney, Superintendent of Schools. “We are proud to implement a full-day program for parents in Roxbury Town-ship for the first time in the district’s history, all at no additional cost to taxpayers.”

Roxbury Public Schools will offer full-day Kindergarten beginning in the 2014-2015 school year, which starts in September. The

district is seizing a historic opportunity awarded by stable state aid, which turned out to be an increase of more than $270,000,

mostly because of the district’s existing school choice program for the Performing and Visual Arts.

“Going to Kindergarten is an important step for children, helping them learn skills that they will build on throughout their life,” said

Theresa D’Agostino, President of the Roxbury Board of Education. “As a thriving and progressive district providing dynamic

programs for students in and out of the classroom, we are elated to finally bring a much-anticipated full-day Kindergarten offering to fruition."

To download the Kindergarten Parent’s Guide, learn more about the full-day Kindergarten program and Kindergarten registration,

visit http://www.roxbury.org/kindergartenregistration


This Spring came in like a lion and left like a champion for the Gaels of Roxbury High school. Record breaking cold temperatures and snowfall that lingered well into April didn’t keep Roxbury teams from having one of the best all-around seasons in recent school history. Visit www.Roxbury.org/springathletics2014 for a complete recap.

SPRING ATHLETICS REPORT

The Roxbury Community School Preschool program—open to 3, 4 and 5-year olds—will be held for 45 weeks at Kennedy

Elementary School, 20 Pleasant Hill Road, Succasunna, NJ 07876, beginning on September 4, 2014 (the first day of school in

Roxbury Township). For more information, or to download our registration form, please visit www.roxbury.org/preschool

NEW TO ROXBURY?We invite you to connect with us by visiting www.Roxbury.org or by calling 973-584-6099.

RCS PRESCHOOLNew for Fall 2014

The Roxbury public school system is a K-12 School District preparing the children of today for tomorrow. Students enjoy

experiences and opportunities that enable them to become productive young adults in an ever-changing world. Prestigious

programs in the Visual and Performing Arts as well as Athletics are a source of pride along with the talented faculty who provide a

challenging, but supportive learning environment.

There are five Elementary schools, a Middle School, High School, in addition, we have a Community School, which offers

year-round educational enrichment programs and events. In the 2012-2013 school year, Roxbury High School was ranked

one of the top 100 high schools in the state.


View Our Budget Online:www.roxbury.org/budget

Fiona's StoryJefferson School Preschooler Fiona Dorn Featured on Wheaties Box

Four-year-old Fiona Dorn

has an impact on not just

her family but her school,

the community and beyond.

Fiona attends preschool at

the Jefferson Elementary

school. She has be-

come well known there

for her infectious smile

and kindness. Fiona

helps both teachers and

students with many activities

without even being asked.

Fiona helps children with

their classwork and is an

eager classroom assis-

tant. Fiona continues to

exceed all expectations

and have an immediate

positive impact on others.

Fiona’s positive impact ex-

tends to the Special Olym-

pics Young Athletes pro-

gram. The program is geared

for children ages 2 to 7 years

old who will become future

Olympic stars. Fiona, who

has been in the program for

more than a year, was fea-

tured on the Wheaties box

as part of the company’s

commemorative cereal box

campaign to honor the Spe-

cial Olympics' 2014 USA

Games, which took place in

Mercer County June 14-21.

2014 - 2015 BUDGETTo understand our commitment to providing the best educational experience for our students, we invite you to read the full presentation of the district's budget for the 2014 - 2015 school year as well as the user-friendly budget.

Overall Tax LevyGeneral Fund Tax Levy: Increase $988,014**

Increase Average Assessed hom: $164.29 for the year

($7.01 Is For Debt Service) $ 13.69/month or 46¢/day

**Average assessed home $208,597 based on Tax Fiscal Year

WHERE THE MONEY IS SPENT


Roxbury High School Choirs Sweep WorldStrides Heritage Festival in Boston

Roxbury High School choirs, under the direction of Lead

Music Teacher Lorraine Lynch, director Patrick Hachey

and director Dan Salyerds, participated in the World-

Strides Heritage Festival held in Boston from March 27 to

March 29, earning several top honors from the competi-

tion that includes nearly 20 choirs from across the country.

After their performance presentation, Roxbury choirs

were awarded a superior Gold rating, Outstanding Choir

and Adjudicator Awards.

• 1st Place Women’s Choir: Roxbury Melodies

• Gold Rating: Roxbury Melodies

• 1st Place Concert Choir: Roxbury Classic Sounds

Honors Choir

• Gold Rating: Roxbury Classic Sounds Honors Choir

• Outstanding Choir of Festival: Roxbury Revelation

• Adjudicator’s Award: Roxbury Revelation

RHS CHOIRS WIN


The Roxbury High School Robotics

Team, also known as Roxbotix, along

with its alliance teams from neigh-

boring Mount Olive High School

(MORT Beta) and Hopewell Valley

Central High School (Team S.P.I.K.E.),

placed first at the Bridgewater-Rar-

itan District Event of the FIRST Ro-

botics Competition, held in April.

The Roxbotix robot, whose design

included a 3-foot rotating hammer-

like mechanism used to kick the ball

down the field and into the goal, was

themed around the Marvel super-

hero Thor, and included several col-

orful plastic components designed

and printed by the team on its FIRST

Robotics-supplied 3D printer, as well

as multi-colored LED lights to pro-

vide visual feedback to the team's

student drivers during a match.

"Participation in the FIRST Robotics

Competition provides our students

with an opportunity to develop en-

gineering, technology, and business

skills while learning the importance

of teamwork, helping others, and

the ability to meet tight deadlines

and product specifications," said

Lee Hayden. "Our school district is

happy to provide its students with

the opportunities to develop these

skills."

ROXBOTIX WINS


Teachers of the Year for the 2013-

2014 school year at the June 2,

2014 board of education meeting.

Each Teacher of the Year was honored

with a speech by her school principal.

The teachers also received a

handcrafted red Italian alabaster

apple paperweight with gold leaf accent

and an honorary certificate from the

District.

TEACHERS HONOREDTeachers of the Year for the 2013-2014 school year

“We have high-quality teach-ers in our district but these in-dividuals represent the cream of the crop,” said Roxbury Board of Education President Theresa D'Agostino. “It's my pleasure to honor these teach-ers who represent the best of Roxbury."

Toni Gelok Franklin ElEmEntary, GradE 2

Justine Matz kEnnEdy ElEmEntary, kindErGartEn

Kristin Meiser JEFFErson ElEmEntary, GradE 4

Francine Miller lincoln-roosEvElt ElEmEntary, GradE 6

Kelly Quinty nixon ElEmEntary, GradE 2

Mary Stumpf EisEnhowEr middlE school, math

Denise Tinquist roxbury hiGh school, EnGlish


RHS Alumni

The Roxbury Alumni Association

wants you to join! Membership is

only $10 and with your gift, you

directly support the ability for the

Alumni Association to continue

giving a RHS grad a scholarship.

Visit www.Roxbury.org/alumni

for more information.

STRATEGIC PLANIn Spring 2014, the Roxbury Board of

Education worked with parents, staff

and the community to develop a Strate-

gic Plan through 2017. The goals were

developed around four areas:

1. Student Achievement/Professional

Development: Enhance an active,

inclusive, and multifaceted learn-

ing experience that maximizes each

student's potential and empowers

individual achievement.

2. Technology: Create a 21st century

technology infused learning

environment.

3. Facilities & Finance/ Safety & Secu-

rity: Create an economically viable,

safe, secure and environmentally

friendly atmosphere for students,

staff and community members that

is equipped to inspire and empower

all learners to achieve their

potential.

4. Culture and Climate: To foster an in-

clusive and collaborative culture and

climate with internal and external

stakeholders .

To learn more about the Board of Educa-

tion's Strategic Plan, visit www.Roxbury.

org/StrategicPlan

Roxbury Leadership Board of Education

Theresa D'Agostino, President - 2016

Ronald Lucas, Vice President - 2014

Richard Alexander - 2016

Margaret Casola - 2015

Leo Coakley - 2015

James Monaghan, Jr. - 2014

David Ramage - 2014

Carol Scheneck - 2016

Martin Volz - 2015

Rachel Byrne - Mt. Arlington Rep. AdministrationDr. Patrick Tierney

— Superintendent of Schools

Loretta Radulic

— Assistant Superintendent

Phyllis Prestamo

— Human Resources Director

John Gomez

— Business Administrator

Yvonne Hellwig

— Assistant Business Administrator

Roxbury Township PUBLIC SCHOOLS

www.roxbury.org

CONNECT WITH USFollw us on social media for the latest news, announcements and updates from Roxbury Public Schools

Roxbury Board of Education

42 North Hillside Avenue

Succasunna, New Jersey 07876

Phone (973) 584-6099

Web www.roxbury.org

Roxbury Township Board of Educaton

Roxbury Community School

1 Bryant Drive

Succasunna, New Jersey 07876

Phone (973) 584-7699

E-Mail [email protected]

Web www.roxbury.org/RCS

facebook.com /RoxburyPublicSchools

plus.google.com /+RoxburyPublicSchools

youtube.com /RoxburyPublicSchools

linkedin.com/company/ /Roxbury-Township-School-District

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RCS Newsletter: July 2014