The Herald
Hoboken Public School District
Superintendent's Daily Message - May 5, 2020
As you know, Governor Murphy announced that all schools in New Jersey would be closed for the remainder of the academic year. He also indicated that guidelines for graduation ceremonies would be forthcoming and that a committee would be formed to contemplate extended school year programming, summer enrichment and camps, and what a September opening of schools might look like. Please be assured that I am in the process of working with the administration and staff to develop a variety of plans to address any situation that comes our way. Over the next two weeks, more concrete plans will follow. As they are solidified, I will pass them along to all families.
This is staff appreciation week. I hope that you were able to view my special edition of The Herald this morning. Hopefully your family or child will consider selecting a special way to show your appreciation.
As you know, all of our schools participate in Project Lead The Way's STEM Program. This past week, we were notified that every single school in our district have been named National Schools of Distinction for STEM Learning. This recognition came shortly after our district earned the 2020 Best Community for Music Education distinction.
I will continue to check in with all of you daily to be sure that everyone is okay. I hope that you will also check in with me. If you would like to send me photos or videos of your children being creative or silly, or even showing off a talent, please do so. I will include them in future editions of The Herald.
Stay well. I assure you that I will keep you updated every step of the way. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at your convenience.
Sincerely,
Superintendent Johnson
Love, Emily Jala
From, Alessandra and Family
Love, The Strashun Family
Fondly, The Brennan Family
From, Charlotte Dobson
Love, Hayley Dobson
From, Alexander Madden
Love, The Malaga Family
To Ms. Aiello, From Emika
Daily Messages From Our School Principals, Guidance Counselors, and Supervisor of Early Childhood Education
Hoboken Public Schools Earn National Distinctions by Project Lead the Way for STEM Learning
Congratulations Hoboken High School
Congratulations Hoboken Middle School
Congratulations Wallace, Connors and Brandt Elementary Schools
Enjoy High School Principal, Robin Piccapietra's Tribute to the Class of 2020
A Bold New Initiative: 1:1 Chromebooks for Students
As we begin the second month of what has become our new normal, our hearts and thoughts are with all of you - our friends, supporters, and Hoboken community. We hope that you and your loved ones are safe and healthy as we continue to navigate these uncharted waters and the challenges that this pandemic has presented to us as individuals, a community, and the world at large.
We are reaching out today with news about HPEF’s 5th Annual Gala, and more importantly, to share our plans to launch a bold initiative to help support our schools and our students during these challenging times.
Status of HPEF’s 5th Annual Gala
Many of you have been asking if HPEF still plans to hold our 5th Annual Gala. We are deeply saddened to announce that we must cancel our May 14, 2020 event. Our team had been holding out hope that the evolving situation would improve, but it has become increasingly clear that social distancing guidelines will remain in place for longer than initially expected, and that our community will need more time to recover and resume in-person events.
The Gala is HPEF’s largest event and one that is essential to meeting our fundraising efforts and goals, however, the safety and health of our HPEF community is far more important at this time. Although the Gala is on hold, our mission to elevate and enhance the public education experience through private funding remains critically important.
Our Changing School Community
Over the past month, the HPEF team has been working closely with Hoboken Public School District Superintendent, Dr. Christine Johnson, to better understand the changing educational landscape, and to identify ways in which HPEF can help support our district school needs.
We must focus now, more than ever, on what has been our top priority from the beginning - equity in education.
With the challenges of COVID-19, we have seen firsthand how our students and staff need to be equipped with the technology and tools to adapt to virtual learning. Our schools must be resilient and ready to deliver online learning today and in the future.
How You Can Help Our Schools Now: Funding a 1:1 Chromebook Initiative
HPEF is launching a 1:1 Chromebook initiative for the Hoboken Public Schools in order to ensure that all of our district students have the same technology and tools they need to be successful in an online learning environment. This initiative will guarantee that all students in grades 3-12 have their own Chromebook, assigned by the Hoboken Public Schools. Whether our students are in a remote learning environment, or physically in school, our aim is for each student to have the technology, tools, and access needed to navigate the school curriculum together.
To meet this lofty goal, we will need to raise a minimum of $100,000. This will allow us to purchase the additional 411 Chromebooks the district needs to reach a 1:1 Chromebook ratio for students grades 3 through 12.
This initiative will begin with the funding of Chromebooks for 3rd-12th grade students who must complete annual, computer-based standardized testing and use Google Classroom and online learning tools as part of their curriculum. Any additional dollars raised will be used to purchase Chromebooks for K-2 students.
HPEF will be allocating all of our fundraising proceeds from the 2019-2020 school year (including our online giving campaign and Mom’s Night Out) to launch this campaign, and we will be reaching out to our committed Gala sponsors and supporters to ask for their support of this important effort.
A word from Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Christine Johnson –
“Educational technology is no longer a luxury, it is a necessity. Equipping all students with a Chromebook is consistent with our district goals of promoting equity and fostering personalized learning and ensures that moving forward, learning at school and home is seamless.”
How Can You Help Support this Effort?
We recognize that these are challenging times - personally, professionally and financially - but we also have heard from many of you asking how you can continue to support our schools and our children.
We encourage you to support this effort in any way that works for you:
● Make a donation on our website (http://www.hobokenpef.org/) or on our Facebook online campaign coming soon
● Help us spread the word about this important initiative
● Like and follow us on Facebook or Instagram (@hobokenpef) and share our posts
HPEF remains committed to helping our students continue to reach even greater academic heights and to ensuring our schools can confront the educational challenges that lie ahead.
From our homes to yours, we wish you and your families continued safety and good health, and we thank you for your continued and unwavering support.
With Gratitude,
Hoboken Public Education Foundation Board
Daily Theater Activities by Ms. Miller
A Session of Namaste with Dr. Allgaier, School Psychologist
A Session of Meditation & Mindfulness with Mrs. Ellis, School Social Worker
Hoboken High School: 2020 National Honor Society Inductees
Gallery of Remote Learning
May The Fourth Be With You
Talking to Kids About the Coronavirus
As many of you know, I am a mom too. Although my daughter is 24 years old, she continues to ask me questions about the Coronavirus. I provide her with a number of resources daily to read. I fully understand that talking to younger children about the Coronavirus can be difficult and confusing based on the number of messages that are coming your way from news media. I have attached a link that was sent to me by Carrie Ellis that may help make your conversations a bit easier. Click on the link below:
Social Emotional Resources from the County Office
Mental Health Support
The NJ Department of Human Services operates a toll-free “warm line” which is a resource for people seeking mental health service. The warm line is activated during events that impact the mental health of New Jersey residents. The warm line is available 24 hours and has language access; (877) 294-HELP (4357). NOTE: The “warm line” does not replace 911 and is not used to report emergencies.
Parent Stress Line - 1-800-843-5437
2020-2021 Approved School District Calendar
You've Asked and We've Responded
For the Assistant Superintendent, you may email srodriguez@hoboken.k12.nj.us
Below, you will find each school's directory:
Hoboken Public Schools - A District Dedicated to Rigor, Relevance, and Relationships
Our Vision
The Hoboken Public School District will be recognized as a premier educational choice and widely known as a best-practice model for academic growth, high quality instruction, innovative and equitable programs, engagement, facilities and personalized pathways that are essential for college, career and life-preparedness in our ever-changing, interconnected global society.
Our Mission
The Hoboken Public School District will prepare confident and resilient graduates who value academic achievement, embrace challenge, honor diversity, appreciate collaboration, and respectfully contribute to their local and wider communities.
Our District Goals
The Hoboken Public School District will implement a rigorous, relevant and responsive curriculum that meets the needs of all students, fosters personalized pathways for learning, and ensures continuous academic growth.
The Hoboken Public School District will support its diverse staff in professional growth, encourage them to serve as role models, and empower them to provide the highest quality of instruction for our students.
The Hoboken Public School District will develop and implement unique and innovative programs that promote global learning, ensure equitable access, and foster the social, emotional and academic growth of each student.
The Hoboken Public School District will engage and communicate with families and the wider community to bridge understanding and advance partnerships.
The Hoboken Public School District will operate well-maintained and safe facilities that respond to our growing student enrollment, support our academic and co-curricular programs, and promote pride across the city.
Email: district@hoboken.k12.nj.us
Website: www.hoboken.k12.nj.us
Location: 158 4th Street, Hoboken, NJ 07834
Phone: (201) 356-3600
Facebook: www.facebook.com/HobokenPublicSchoolDistrict/
Twitter: @HobokenSchools