The Herald
Hoboken Public School District
Superintendent's Daily Message (Day 19) - April 9, 2020
Today is certainly an interesting day. The sun keeps trying to come out from behind some looming clouds. I would like to address some questions that I have received regarding the Governor's message about schools. As per Governor Murphy, all public schools will be closed for traditional learning until further notice. However, all public schools are required to develop, submit and operationalize remote learning plans during this time. Please note that our spring break will run from Friday, April 10th through Sunday, April 19th. There will be no formalized remote learning during spring break. Please feel free to take advantage of the many resources listed on our website for the period during spring beak. Our remote learning plans will begin again on Monday, April 20th.
Over the past few days, I have been putting out "Choice Board Check-Ins". Each asks families and staff to respond to different prompts. The responses have been truly heartwarming. Yesterday, I asked everyone to describe something that you are looking forward to soon. Enjoy reading the following:
- We have an Easter egg hunt for my niece and nephew every year along with a fancy Easter dinner. This year we all plan on celebrating Easter as soon as we can all be together. I can’t wait!
- A late spring evening in Church Square Park with ice cream from the ice cream truck and friends everywhere you turn.
- Growing “Inside The Seed All Bundled Up Tight A Tiny Plant Grows Needing Water And Light I’ll Plant It In Soil Let It Catch The Sun’s Glow Then Water It Gently And Watch The Plant Grow “
- Seeing my daughter zoom everyday with her teacher and her classmates.
- Hugging everyone. Yes that means you too.
- My son Santiago’s 6th birthday next month :)
- Going to a museum with my family!
- Celebrating our 20 year anniversary and my kids surprised me with an Air Fryer which they bought from their hard work!
- Hugging my parents!
- Watching my mother see her grandson in person and having my whole family together in the same room!
- Witnessing my daughter's 1st steps which would have otherwise likely happened at daycare. Silver linings. :)
- Going back to school and being reunited with our Wallace family, whenever that may be. We drive by the school and wave to it. We miss our school and teachers dearly.
- Making lots of new recipes for my family to enjoy together.
- My lunch zoom session with my kindergarten students before our spring break starts. We are all excited to have some lunch and laughs ❤
- Getting back to a normal workout routine. Yoga, spin class... there are so many choices here in Hoboken that I took for granted before this all started. Can’t wait to support the local gyms again!
- Spring break! Leisure reading, driving to the shore, starting a 1500 piece pzzle , all with the family
- Last night we worked on a project. Dan & I put together a new kitchen island. The best part wasn't the completion of it, it was the fact that we are learning to work as a team again. TOGETHER we can do anything.
- The ability to hug and spend time with friends and family that I haven’t in a while.
- Being able to bring my dog back to the dog park to play fetch in the nice spring weather!
- When catching up with one of your students about how much cooking is going on at home and she shares this: I’ve been baking so much. I just mad fried ice cream but it was a fail... hey keep trying I say! :-)
- My kids have been virtually “hugging” their grandparents on FaceTime, but we cannot wait until we get to hug in person. It will be the longest, most heartfelt hug session.
Aren't these wonderful to read? I have included one last "Choice Board Check-In" below, before spring break. It would be so nice to have everyone share a personal or family tradition or routine. I will include these responses and much more in The Herald that I send out on the evening before we return to our remote learning on April 20th.
I will be checking in with my Hoboken School District Families over the break to make sure that you are okay and to ask if you need anything. 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. Remember, April is National Poetry Month. Find a poem that speaks to you in some way and make it your own by hanging it on your refrigerator, clipping it inside your journal, taping it to your mirror, or reading it to someone special.
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
Directions to Access Our District's YouTube Channel: HPS Video Highlights
- Google YouTube
- Click on Videos
- Type in the Search Box: HPS Video Highlights
- Click the red box to subscribe
Daily Messages from our Early Childhood Supervisor and Principals
Hoboken Middle School's Virtual Band
Daily Theater Activities with Ms. Miller
Cassidy, Pre-K 4 Student, Is Enjoying Her Remote Learning
Stories and Poetry Read by Hoboken High School Students
Security Mom, Ms. Cindy, Represents Hoboken H.S. with her Redwings Mask
A Note from a Hoboken Middle School Student to His Teacher
Como estas? I like these Spanish videos. My brother's teacher sings a tooty-ta to his class so he knows that one. We sang it together and practiced Spanish. I also watched the "Mi Familia" video with mi hermano and I danced like a goofy-face to the brain break monkey video with mi padre. I watched both of the body part videos. The first one, "Body Parts in Spanish" was helpful but the second one went really fast. We all did "heads, shoulders, knees and toes" and I did the best job. My mom was not that good. hahaha
Thanks for the fun videos. Have a nice spring break.
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:
COVID-19 Resources
What is Social Distancing?
We have heard of Social Gatherings, Social Media and Social Interactions, but Social Distancing? Social and distance do not seem like two words that go together. Social distancing seems like an oxymoron, like Jumbo Shrimp! The point of being social is to encounter other individuals. But in times like these, where direct contact is discouraged, how do we connect and continue to be social while still distancing ourselves?
Social distancing is reducing the direct contact with others who are not within your home. Keeping a distance of 6ft between you and others who do not live in your home and reducing your time spent in public areas. Even those who are part of your family but do not live in your home, like grandparents, should avoid close contact in order to prevent the spread.
So how can we continue to keep our sanity by social distancing but still feel social? Here is a list of some activities to incorporate into your day to feel social and to do your part in flattening the curve.
Use facetime, zoom, or just a regular phone call to connect with friends and family!
If you are using facetime or zoom, have a dance party, tell jokes, sing with each other, host a cooking lesson (if approved by your parents).
Some people still have to go to work to keep us safe in hospitals, work in our food stores, and drive the trucks to deliver our packages and food so even though we are spending most of our time inside, you can draw pictures or make signs for your windows to thank them! A simple thank you note goes a long way!
Explore and travel!! You ask, how? Many museums, zoos, and travel companies have free virtual tours online so check out the penguins, famous works of art or view other countries around the world, all from the comfort of your home.
Craft project: Make a passport and fill it with all the places you explore
Learn a new language! Many activity websites are teaching, for free, language courses so pick a new one and then facetime with your friends and try to teach them!
Don’t forget to laugh and smile and keep moving around and even though we have to be separated from others while outside, getting outside for a walk if you can daily, is very important.
Stay Healthy,
Nurse Beyer & Nurse DeMatteo
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