MTSD Monthly Staff News
October 2018
Message from the Superintendent's Office
Dear MTSD Staff,
The district is off to an impressive start for 2018-19 school year. When I walk the halls of our schools and stop in various classrooms, it's easy to see that from PreK up to sixth graders, our students are engaged and motivated. Their smiles are infectious. Their desire to learn is evident. It's easy to see we all have a lot to be proud of and excited about!
Now, I'm not saying our district is perfect. Certainly, like any forward-moving ,"progressive" school district, we must regularly make adjustments to ensure our students always receive the finest possible education. So, we'll continue to make changes as necessary but, at the very least, we know we're getting started from a position of strength. And I'm personally committed to ensuring Mansfield Townships School District continues to progress with every passing week, month, and year!
Please take time for yourself...Take a breath and enjoy the fall foliage.
~Tiffany
Thank you Marie Tilton for all your hard work and effort in our payroll department. Your diligence, self-motivation, as well as, endless hours have not gone unnoticed.
I'd like to send a shout out to Jackie Cuccia and Nicole Riviolo for all of her help with second grade reading benchmarks! There help was really appreciated!
-Hillary Lovenduski
The entire staff of JHES for an amazing Back to School Night!
-Stacy
Shout out to Kim Rosenberg...she has shared so much with me from her year teaching 5th grade language arts, and I am so grateful for that! Also a shout out to all of the 5th grade teachers for making me feel so welcome to the team and for all of their help thus far.
-Shannon Brown
Thank you Fred and Kelly for all your assistance in my new position. Thank you for Diane for your help with the P/O's and training! Thank you Donna for always stopping what you are doing to help me!!!
-Amy Vigorito
Janet, Jenna, Ryan, Jackie, Elizabeth- Thank you for helping me manage the door at Back to School Night. Teamwork! I couldn't have done it without you!
-Stacy
Kim Clark- Thank you for your dedication to our school. I was so pleased to see you at Back to School supporting Ms. Moore and introducing yourself to the families.
-Stacy
September Celebrations
2-Cathy Cliver
8-Angela Stewart
17-Michele Ripish
18-Kim Rosenberg
23-Rachel Hensley
25-Kristine Semptimphelter
28-Colleen McDonough
29-Kelly Tellefsen
Life is short. Enjoy every moment!
Let's celebrate the birthdays for last month and this month.
~Tiffany
October Celebrations
2-Paulette Russo
4 Diane Matey & Kristen Sadlon
5-Helen Stinglen
7-Kimberly Clark
10-Karen Bressler
11-Thomas McDonough & Janet Strusz
13-Lisa Grieco
19-Cathy Amarescu
25-Glenn Kershner
26-Katelyn Fehn & Beth Pigott
27-Debra Addiego & Meghan Grosse
29-Alexander Belonzi
Wear Pink: October 11th
2018-2019 Strategic Plan: Where are we going?
Goal 1:
- 5 year plan for new technology
- Strengthen enrichment programs
- Explore Innovative District-Wide STEM programs
- Create PLC meetings for staff
- Offering More Differentiated High Quality PD
- Communicate Grade Level Topics
- Exploring Google Classroom
- Develop a framework for risk taking, critical thinking and problem solving
- Integrate 1:1 lessons at home
- Offer Google Trainings
- Create opportunities for students to participate in competitions
- Streamlining communications - Use of Google Calendar
Goal 2: Facilities
- Upgrade building LED fixtures
- Upgrade the energy management at JHES
- Upgrade building automatization systems at JHES & MTES
- Install emergency generator at JHES
- District network capability for wireless classroom devices
- Increase the ability for staff to communicate during an emergency event.
- MTPD co-facilitate the annual Crisis Training with staff
- Implement best practices of security throughout the district
- Reassess playground equipment; remove and add equipment as needed
- Review visitor process
Goal 3: Developing the Whole Child
- Grade 2 and 6 students meet Guidance Counselor every marking period
- Develop MTES halls/lobby committee
Goal 4: Culture & Diversity
- Conduct survey for community
- Create peer schedule
- Revise interview committee to include a parent
- Research implementing digital information to community
- Lessen paper being sent home
- Be aware of posting the various ethnicities on our social media
- Publicly celebrate an administrator, teacher and students' success in effort to build culture
- Design TV studio
- Advertise job vacancies on NJHire, Jobspot and NJschooljobs.com
- Incorporate holidays in lesson plans
- No homework to be assigned on holidays
- Develop meetings for holidays
- No after-school meetings on holidays
From the Curriculum Office
Beginning of the Year Assessments
Thank you all for your time and attention on the beginning of the year benchmarks. Please remember that all data (except writing) is due to the Benchmark Spreadsheet no later than October 4th.
Basic Skills
A huge shout out to our Basic Skills team and instructional coaches for identifying, testing and scheduling students to receive services. Because of their hard work, LLI will be up and running on Tuesday, October 2nd. Math Basic Skills will begin the following cycle. If you receive any parent emails regarding Basic Skills, feel free to forward to me.
Common Planning
I can’t say I wasn’t nervous as we began the school year that we would run into a scheduling glitch that would stop us from having common planning, but thanks to Glenn and Stacy all went well and our cycles are off to a good start. Please check the “Common Planning” link on the Curriculum website for an ongoing list of session topics. If the document indicates “Grade Level Meeting” please feel free to meet in the Grade Level Liaisons room rather than the conference room. You may invite instructional coaches or any administrator to these meetings if you would like.
Professional Development & Events
October 5th- Full Day PD- EdCamp
October 8th- Full Day PD- I-Ready, NGSS, Data Analysis (in a choose your own adventure style)
Writing Rubrics
I’m very excited to meet with each grade level to begin utilizing our MTSD Writing Rubrics. These rubrics are linked to the Curriculum website and are to be used for all published pieces and benchmark assessments.
Parent Curriculum Meeting
We are hosting our first parent curriculum meeting on October 15th. Feel free to forward any questions from parents my way. We are holding 2 sessions 9:00am and 6:30pm. You are not required to attend the evening meeting.
From The Principal's Desk
MTES
It's hard to believe that the first month of school has come to a close. I'd like to thank everyone for such a great opening to the school year. The pride that you take in your work is second to none. It brings me great pride, and I hope for you as well, when I tell people I am part of the Mansfield Township School District.
Promethean Board Update
With that I plan to look into the feasibility of purchasing one in the future.
Safety Patrol
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ArOL5sMXKQZQ5ANvfjKxDYw0p4El4-LYxq2gX6UPMfI/edit?usp=sharing
Classroom observations
E-Color Printer
JHES
As the quote above insinuates, providing an "out of the box" experience for students motivates them to give you an "uncommon effort and attitude." In classrooms all over this school district, I continue to see teachers developing innovative ways to teach subject content. Students are provided opportunities for choice and are encouraged to use technology in exciting and motivating ways. I rarely see students seated at desks while the classroom teacher stands at the front of the classroom. MTSD students are working all over the classroom, in groups or in pairs and they are contributing to the design of their own learning. Exciting things are happening here! I cannot wait to see what the future has in store!
Speaking Of Outside the Box.....
#ObserveMe
Mindfulness in the Classroom
Mindful Mondays Begin at JHES!
What's Happening at JHES?
Chorus Club
Green Team Meeting #1
We will continue on our journey towards becoming a Sustainable NJ certified school!
This year, I will once again be submitting a grant application. The primary focus of the grant will be on developing a Staff Health and Wellness program here at JHES. Fingers crossed!
Green Team Meeting
Thursday, Oct 11, 2018, 04:00 PM
19 Locust Avenue, Columbus, NJ, USA
RSVPs are enabled for this event.
#TWITTERCHATS
#edchat: Tuesdays from 12 to 1 and 7 to 8 pm Eastern Time.
#edtechchat:Mondays from 8 to 9 pm Eastern Time.
#tlap:Mondays 9 pm Eastern Time.
#satchat: Saturday mornings from 7:30 to 8:30 am Eastern Time.
Keep Informed!
Keep Informed!
Tweet all your great things!
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Email: tmoutis@mansfieldschool.com
Website: www.mansfieldschool.com
Location: 200 Mansfield Road East, NJ, United States
Phone: 609-298-2037
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mansfield-School-District-1645020699105396/
Twitter: @mtes_jhes