The Herald
Hoboken Public School District
Superintendent's Daily Message (Day 3) - March 18, 2020
Happy Wednesday Hoboken School District Families. I hope that you and your families are doing well and following the guidelines set forth by the the City of Hoboken's Office of Emergency Management and Department of Health. On today's City Task Force conference call, all participants were reminded to reinforce the practice of social distancing to all families, especially if and when you and your children get outside for a short walk or for some fresh air.
As we completed day three of "remote learning" our Office of Curriculum and Instruction, along with our teaching staff members are ironing our some wrinkles. Please be patient with us as we are embarking on the new journey along with all of you.
Today, we continued to distribute "grab and go" meals out of Hoboken High School's Cafeteria from 8:30 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. We also distributed Chromebooks to those families do not have a laptop or desktop in their homes.
In today's edition of the Herald, I have included a resource to assist parents and guardians talk to children about the Coronavirus. I have also included today's daily messages from our Supervisor of Early Childhood and our Principals. There are special videos by Mrs. Ellis, School Social Worker and Mrs. Bevacqua, Physical Education Teacher. Of course, many have asked for some daily theater exercises by Ms. Miller. She happily responded and I have added her video below as well. Once again, our fabulous teachers contributed some stories. Check out Mr. Fernandez's version of Chicka Chicka Boom Boom on the guitar and Mrs. Jia's English and Mandarin Reading of The Story of Mulan.
Thanks to so many of you that sent photos of your children working hard. I will include a few each day. There are also resources included that may be of assistance to our families. A few parents have asked about the 2020-2021 District Calendar. It was approved at our March Board of Education Meeting. I have attached it toward the end of The Herald.
Tomorrow morning, the Board of Education will be holding a statutorily required meeting at 10:00 a.m. to approve our preliminary budget for next year. This meeting will be filmed and posted on Channel 77. Board of Education Members will practice Social Distancing during the brief meeting. There will be an opportunity for revisions between tomorrow's meeting and the advertised public budget hearing. Budget materials will be placed on the district's website tomorrow morning by 8:30 a.m. (prior to the meeting). You can access it by clicking on Central Office, then the Business office. You will see a flyout for the 2020-2021 Prelim. Budget. If you would like to submit any questions as public comment, please email them to me at M. Victoria Lopez at vlopez@hoboken.k12.nj.us any time from 9:45 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Please include your name, address and your question and it will be included in the public comment portion of the meeting. I will get back to you with an answer.
I encourage you to take time to review The Herald. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook too. I will be checking in with my Hoboken School District Families each day via the Herald. I hope that you will also check in with me.
At the end of last week, I had to submit our remote learning plan to the County Office. I did so and it was accepted. Over the weekend, I had to submit a presentation of our Preparedness Plan to the County Office. I included it below for your reference.
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
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:
Our PK Supervisor and Principals' Daily Videos
Ms. Miller's Daily Drama Activities for Families
Stories with Staff
- Google YouTube
- Click on Videos
- Type in the Search Box: HPS Video Highlights
- Click the red box to subscribe
Continue to check our channel daily for more stories. I have added those that have been uploaded so far below for your families viewing pleasure. Today, you will see a special treat from Mr. Manuel Jose Fernandez. More to come...
A Special Children's Book Written by an HPS Teacher (Allison Kane) in Honor of her Daughter Sienna & Read by H.S. Dean (Mr. Piccini)
Mrs. Jia Reads a Story in English and Mandarin
Daily Mindfulness Exercises
Check Out This Mindfulness Choice Board
Yoga With Hoboken School District's School Psychologist, Mrs. Kristen Beriloff
Health Tip of the Day from Hoboken High School PE Teacher, Mrs. Bevacqua
Johns Hopkins CTY
The Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth online courses will remain active throughout the entirety of the district’s remote learning plan for grades 2 - 8. Therefore, there will still be 3 - 5 hours of required coursework to complete per week in order to meet the course ending deadlines for both the three-month and six-month course options.
You will continue to receive email communications on assignment completion, feedback and grades from your child’s Johns Hopkins CTY online course instructor. If you have any questions at all, he or she will remain the first point of contact in regards to CTY curriculum and coursework completion.
Ms. Tara Donnelly will continue to monitor all Johns Hopkins CTY emails at the Middle School level. If students or parents have questions, please reach out to her at Tara.Donnelly@hoboken.k12.nj.us. For all Grades 2 through 5 questions, please contact your building principal or Assistant Superintendent, Ms. Rodriguez-Gomez at srodriguez@hoboken.k12.nj.us.
Hoboken Public School Students Are Hard At Work
A Story Read by Ellen Samitt, Mental Health/Disabilities Specialist for HOPES, Hoboken Ages 0-5 Program
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.
Emotional Health Activities
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