LPS Spotlight
News for the Livingston Public Schools Community
June 20, 2023
We have been celebrating SO many things over the last week, including the first rounds of kindergartners and fifth graders who are MOVING UP in the world! Our grand finale of graduates will take place this Thursday, June 22, when the LHS Class of 2023 receives their diplomas!
SCROLL DOWN FOR INFO ON...
- Board of Education Meeting TONIGHT!
- Student Rep to the Board's Last Meeting
- 28 Seniors Earn NJ Seal of Biliteracy
- Quiz Bowl Team Caps Season With Success
- Democracy Collection Student Art Competition
- Junior Book Awards
- Equity Audit Update: Auditor Contact Info
- Annual Retirement Ceremony
- Watch the 2023 Intergenerational Prom on LTV
BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING: June 20, 2023 (7:15PM)
The Livingston Board of Education will hold a public meeting at 7:15PM tonight, Tuesday, June 20, 2023 at the Central Office, 11 Foxcroft Drive. The agenda includes the appointment of next year's student representative to the Board, presentatons by SEPAC and Great Schools Partnership and recognition of Educational Service Professionals.
Tonight's meeting will be held in a hybrid format during which participants will have the ability to ask questions and make comments either in person or via the webinar. Register for the webinar using the link below. The meeting will also be livestreamed on the district's Facebook page, @LivSchools.
BOARD BIDS FAREWELL TO JEFFREY XU!
Last Monday evening's Board of Education meeting marked the last time that senior Jeffrey Xu would sit at the table as the LHS student representative to the Board.
Jeffrey thanked everyone and said that the lessons he learned at the table will "carry on to college and beyond." He also commended the Board for "promoting excellence, equity and community involvement."
Board president Vineeta Khanna, who described Jeffrey as "erudite, articulate and committed," thanked him for his service and presented him with "Princetonian" themed gifts on behalf of the Board. Jeffrey is graduating as the valedictorian of the Class of 2023 and will be attending Princeton University in the fall!
SCHOOL BOARD CANDIDATE KIT
DEADLINE IS 4PM ON JULY 31, 2023
Now is the time to consider school board candidacy for the Livingston Board of Education. In November, voters will elect one candidate to serve for a three year term. A candidate must file a nominating petition with the county clerk for his or her name to appear on the ballot during the annual school election. The deadline to submit the petition is 4 p.m. on Monday, July 31, 2023. The election is scheduled for Tuesday, November 7, 2023.
CONTACT INFO FOR EQUITY AUDITORS
LPS has hired an experienced, independent, third-party consulting firm that specializes in equity work, to conduct a full equity audit of the district. Over the course of the full audit period, which began on May 16, 2023 and will span four to six months, the auditors will engage in focus group discussions with members of the LPS community including staff, students, and parents.
Over the last several weeks, the Equity Auditors have been visiting our schools for the first round of onsite visits with students and teachers. They also met with LPS parents this month.
MOVING FORWARD:
The Equity Auditors will be opening up opportunities for affinity and/or identity based community groups to gather and speak with them. Detailed information will be advertised in the coming weeks.
If an individual would like to request an interview with the auditors, they can be reached via email at soswald@a2zequitycoaching.com. The Equity Auditors will do their best to ensure all voices are heard.
Thank you in advance for participating in this process and helping our district to continue to ensure that schools are places where equity, inclusion, anti-racism, and anti-bias are priorities. Additional information regarding our Equity Audit can be found on the LPS Equity Initiative webpage.
28 LHS SENIORS EARN NJ SEAL OF BILITERACY
QUIZ BOWL TEAM NEWS
Noah Boxer Wins Art Competition
LHS junior Noah Boxer's artwork titled, The Gaze of Liberty, was accepted into the Democracy Collection Student Art Competition Online Exhibition, which will be hosted on the National Art Education Association (NAEA) website. NAEA received over 140 submissions for the Democracy Collection Student Art Competition, only 29 of which were selected for inclusion. Noah's artwork was submitted by his teacher, Arlene Brown.
The virtual exhibit opens on or after June 22, 2023: https://www.arteducators.org/community/articles/1100-democracy-collection-student-art-competition-exhibit
JUNIOR BOOK AWARDS
On Tuesday, June 6, 31 students in the AP English Language and Composition classes of Mrs. Charissa Fenton, Ms. Kieran Nugent, and Dr. Michael Sunga at LHS were honored at this year's Junior Book Awards ceremony.
In conjunction with the School Counseling Department, LHS has partnered with 30 colleges and universities from across the country. Admissions offices, as well as local and regional alumni associations and clubs, have generously donated junior book awards to recognize students for their exceptional performance in English, love of the written word, overall academic excellence, extracurricular or athletic involvement, community service, character, and work ethic. Some schools also offer scholarship and pre-college program opportunities. Each book is written by a notable alumnus/a or professor and embodies a topic that reflects the institution's mission and values.
LHS principal Danielle Rosenzweig and ELA 7-12 Supervisor Kevin Wittmaack attended the ceremony, which was held in the LHS auditorium.
Click here to view the slide deck of award recipients and the schools that honored them!
SUBSCRIPTION BUSING
The district provides free transportation for in-district students who live more than 2 miles from school in grades K-8; and more than 2.5 miles from the high school. Subscription busing is available for students who are not eligible for free busing. If you are unsure if you qualify for free transportation, please call the Transportation Department at 973-535-8000, x8013, BEFORE filling out the form.
STUDENT WORKING PAPERS UPDATE
The way teens obtain working papers in New Jersey has changed!
As of June 1, 2023, Working Papers for minors have gone digital. Minor workers, their caregivers, and employers all fill out their respective parts of our streamlined online application instead of using the old paper form. Visit my.workingpapers.nj.gov.
KINDERGARTEN ORIENTATION DATES
Welcome to all of our new kindergarten families! Please check your school’s calendar for June kindergarten orientation dates:
CARE SOLACE
OFFERS MENTAL HEALTH & SUBSTANCE USE SUPPORT
Livingston Public Schools believes that your mental health and well-being is a vital part to your success at our school. With this in mind, we have partnered with Care Solace to provide an extra layer of support to our entire community.
Livingston Public Schools students, staff members, and their families can use Care Solace to quickly find verified mental health, behavioral health, and substance use treatment options matched to their needs, regardless of circumstances. Care Solace’s team is available 24/7/365 and can support you in any language.
If you would like to use Care Solace to help you find a provider:
- Call 888-515-0595 (available 24/7/365)
- Visit www.caresolace.com/livingston and either search on your own OR click “Book Appointment” for assistance by video chat, email, or phone.
STAY CONNECTED WITH LPS!
LPS is committed to building strong relationships with students, families, and the community, and as such, we strive to provide accurate and timely information to our stakeholders.
Communication tools for parents include the Blackboard Mass Notification System, the LPS website (www.livingston.org), LPS Spotlight (our district newsletter), Facebook & Twitter (@LivSchools), Around the Block (the Superintendent's TV program), and various promotional videos that highlight our students and staff. Explore our communications tools here!
SCHOOL BOARD HONORS RETIREES
FOLLOW US!
EMPLOYMENT
WATCH THE INTERGENERATIONAL PROM!
Kiwanis Swim Karnival
TRIBUNE GRADUATION SECTION
It's that time of year again! Livingston High School's Class of 2023 is gearing up for graduation, and so is the West Essex Tribune!
On June 29, the Tribune will publish its annual pull-out, keepsake LHS graduation section, featuring color yearbook photos of all of the graduates. Families and friends of the grads can run congratulatory ads.
Questions? Email WETribune@gmail.com
VISIT THE PUBLIC LIBRARY
CRISIS LIFELINE
LPS Spotlight
2022-2023 School Year / No. 21
Michelle Bent
Manager of Communications
Livingston Public Schools
(973) 535-8000 ext. 8036
Email: mbent@livingston.org
LPS Spotlight is the official e-newsletter of the Livingston Public Schools.