EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP SCHOOL DISTRICT
Central Office Communications: Week of September 5, 2021
SUPERINTENDENTS UPDATE
Happy September!
I welcome you to the Egg Harbor Township School District and Academic year 2021-2022!
There are many exciting things happening in our district this year. In-person learning for ALL allows our schools to be back on full day schedules(see school websites), including our new pre-school and full day kindergarten programs. A 1:1 Technology initiative will provide each student with their own personal chromebook. Information will be provided when the chromebooks are rolled out to students within the next month. Breakfast and lunch will be provided free of charge to students. Unlike last year, food will be served to students in the school cafeterias during their assigned lunch period. We will be engaging in creating a new strategic plan this year and you are invited to attend all meetings to collaborate with us on designing a 3-5 year plan that is relevant to the needs of our students and community.Meetings are September 28, October 26, and November 23 and all are welcome.
I encourage you to view our district website and your child’s school website daily for updates on school events and important announcements. I also stress the importance of signing into the parent portal so that you have personalized information concerning your child. I will communicate important information via this tool since sadly social media has turned negative and nasty. I will work to the best of my ability to rectify that situation by continuously stressing the need for positive attitudes, a focus on factual information, and directing questions and concerns to teachers and administration before discussing on social media. This process will certainly provide factual resolution instead of drama and angst that can be created amongst the school community. We embrace all concerns and questions with open arms ….give us a try. The Superintendent’s Corner will also keep you abreast of all parental communications, reports to the Board of Education, and current Road Forward Plans regarding COVDI-19.
The Road Forward is a document from the New Jersey Department of Education that provides guidance as to how to keep school open safely for students and staff. We are mandated to wear masks while inside our schools and on school buses. Teachers will provide mask breaks throughout the school day. We are equipped to provide desk shields in classrooms where the class size is over 20 and social distancing of 3 feet cannot occur. Our cafeterias are equipped with shields on the tables so that students may remove their masks when eating and will be protected during that time. There will be an emphasis on social distancing,sanitizing, hand washing, and good health and safety etiquette. Along with these practices in place, I stress the importance of completing the health affirmation document and adhering to not sending a student to school who feels ill or shows signs of any type of sickness. I thank you in advance for following this guidance. For more information, please see the FAQ Link.
Our district mission statement is Embrace, Engage, and Educate. Our teachers, staff, and administration will make every effort to Embrace students and their families by spending time to build relationships and learn about student needs. Once relationships are established, we will then be able to provide relevant resources and learning experiences; followed by the goal to educate every child and prepare them for real world experiences. Our District Learning Goals include the following:
Student Achievement
It is our collective responsibility to ensure that our students have the resources and support to achieve success both inside and outside of our classrooms. We are committed to providing Literacy for ALL where formative assessments will occur daily in our classrooms. Data will be collected and analyzed by teachers and also in Professional Learning Communities where teachers meet to discuss and develop collaborative strategies to assist with student achievement. We are prepared to dig deeper by examining hard data and address student learning needs in order for students to remain on/progress to grade level and not fall behind. Response to Intervention is in place with the use of Multi-Tiered Systems of support and Interventionists in all of our schools. We will continue providing students with innovative opportunities in the area of STREAM education; including the advancement of Aviation. With all said thus far, none of this can occur without a strong focus on Social and Emotional Learning (SEL). We, students included, have all experienced some sort of trauma or frustrations throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and together we must heal together. SEL has to be part of the fabric of our goal to improve student learning. As we return to in person learning for all, we as a school district are dedicated to building relationships with students and their families, to take the time to listen to students and recognize their needs and concerns, to work to identify potential barriers for growth, to provide resources to assist students academically,socially and emotionally, and to create a school culture that is inclusive and welcoming; A place where every child wants to be each and every day.
Climate, Culture and #EHTPride
Now back in the school buildings, we are dedicated to learning together, growing together, and healing together within a positive school climate. Celebrations of recognition and reward for achievement, even the littlest steps, will occur in all of our schools as we value the importance of appreciation and respect. We have a lot of #EHTPride in taking care of our students and showcasing their achievements.
We are committed to setting a foundation of culture in our school that includes respect for diversity, inclusion and equity for ALL students and staff. To empower our school community to be positive, supportive, patient, and understanding.To unify all members around one central goal that includes nurturing a strong culture that allows students, teachers, staff, and community members to flourish as individuals and as a community.
Community Partnerships
While our society is surely forever changed by the pandemic, we will make our current focus on restoring our community partnerships as well as expanding our partnerships throughout the township. Our community partners can have an important role in educating our students by sharing their experiences, responsibilities, and/or contributions to society, and by embracing our students and educational programs into their arena. We need each other to foster a better community. A community that is unified and committed to preparing students for the future.
I wish you all the best; a safe, healthy, happy, and productive school year. WIth Every Hand Together, we are here to Embrace, Engage, and Educate Students!
#EHTPride #EHTReady #EHTStrong
Dr. Gruccio
Superintendent of Schools
OPENING DAY VIDEO & THEME!
HAPPY LABOR DAY!
ROSH HASHANAH
1ST DAY OF SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS!
#EHTREADY: THE ROAD FORWARD
COVID-19 INFORMATION & RESOURCES
For the most up to date information and resources regarding Covid-19, you can access this quick link on the district homepage at the following LINK.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ’S)
To access frequently asked questions related to Covid-19, as well as general district and school information you can access the following LINK.
STUDENT HEALTH AFFIRMATION
Every student attending EHT Schools must submit a health affirmation form. This form should be reviewed and completed by a parent/guardian and submitted on the first day of school. We ask that in an effort to maintain a safe and healthy environment, you assess your child(ren) every day prior to school and keep them home from school if symptoms are present.
Forms in both English and Spanish are accessible at the following LINK.
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT
IC PARENT PORTAL ACCOUNT INFORMATION!
What if I do not have an Infinite Campus Parent Portal account? Send an email to icportal@eht.k12.nj.us with the parent/guardian full name, students full name, students school and grade level, students birthdate, home and/or cell number and the parent/guardians email address.
CLIMATE & CULTURE
The culture of our schools includes our school improvement efforts to increase student achievement for ALL students. Where with Every Hand Together, Every child, Everyday is provided a relevant learning experience. Through professional development opportunities we are building an effective learning culture where students are provided a safe learning environment. Our teachers collaborate in professional learning communities to review student progress in order to provide ALL students with the opportunity to learn at high levels. We have a district -wide initiative that includes individualized interventions through the RTI process to assist ALL students with learning. We know that in order to successfully educate each student, we must be cognizant of each student’s individual learning needs. This can only be accomplished if we work together to eliminate any predictability of achievement disparities by race, ethnicity, gender, language, disability, and/or economics. All faculty and staff participated in equity training during our professional learning days. Together, we can achieve more!
#EMBRACE
EHT POSITIVE VIBES 365
Start your day on the right foot with some positive vibes from @ehtnjschools! Every morning @ehtnjschools will post a quote of the day to help kick off your day with a positive mindset. #ehtpride #ehtpositivevibes365
EHT SCHOOL DISTRICT WELCOME MAT
@ehtnjschools is rolling out the "Welcome Mat" to our new staff! #ehtwelcomemat
SCHOOL MESSENGER REMINDER!
JUST SEND "Y" or "YES" to 67587
MENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION: RESOURCES!
Visit http://www.mhaac.info/ubw-schedule.html to find The Mental Health Association of Atlantic County's virtual schedule.
SOCIAL DISTANCING SHOULDN’T MEAN SOCIAL ISOLATION
The NJ Department of Children and Families have compiled a list of resources available 24/7. Visit http://mvnt.us/m1157179 for more information.
ADDITIONAL MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES!
SOCIAL EMOTIONAL AND MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT & RESOURCES
During these difficult times, please know that our guidance counselors, social workers, student assistance counselors, school nurses, and our High School Teen Center serve as available resources daily to assist with any concerns, fears, and/or anxieties.
Atlantic County Division of Public Health: “The Source” (linked)
Student resource card (Spanish/English)
EVERY HAND TOGETHER: PURSUING PUBLIC HEALTH
Every Hand Together: Pursuing Public Health: Every Hand Together: Pursuing Public Health: The following link is a playlist from Every Hand Together: Pursuing Public Health and a conversation with Mr. Santilli, Assistant Superintendent and Carlo Favretto from the Atlantic Prevention Resources. The topic of this conversation is focused on the negative affects of Vaping: View the series at: http://mvnt.us/m1201424
THROWBACK THURSDAY!
COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS
JOB OPENINGS
For more information you can see all job openings and apply online at: https://www.applitrack.com/eggharbor/onlineapp/
EHT TRANSPORTATION: JOB OPENINGS
Egg Harbor Township School District is now hiring bus drivers, bus aides and subs. Interested applicants can call 609-927-2443 ext 1710 or can now apply online: https://www.applitrack.com/eggharbor/onlineapp/
BECOME A SUBSTITUTE WITH EHT!
We're hiring for rewarding opportunities in Egg Harbor Township School District! To apply, visit https://bit.ly/3gGjAxX
FREE AND REDUCED MEAL PROGRAM APPLICATION
Free & Reduced Breakfast/Lunch Program: The Free and Reduced Meal Program offers several benefits including free/reduced meals, test fee waivers, and an opportunity to earn free college credits at the High School with the dual-enrollment program. For more information and to determine your eligibility, click this letter for more information: http://mvnt.us/m1217905
ATLANTIC COUNTY FOOD BANK RESOURCES
Please visit the Atlantic County Food Bank Resources (linked)
ATTENTION ALUMNI: YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE A SUPERHERO!
The Egg Harbor Township High School Eagle Eye Newsletter is looking for alumni who are interested in being featured in an upcoming edition of the online publication. If you have a personal or professional accomplishment, a unique adventure or just something other EHTHS alumni may find interesting, please email: alumni@eht.k12.nj.us
THE NEST SCHOOL STORE IS ONLINE & OPEN!
ATHLETICS/FINE AND PERFORMING ARTS/ACTIVITIES
MESSAGE TO OUR STUDENT ATHLETES AND FINE AND PERFORMING ARTS
Let the games begin! Fall athletics and Band season begins this week. Students have been practicing all summer and have participated in scrimmages over the last weeks preparing for upcoming competitions. Everyone is ready to give their best and represent Egg Harbor Township with pride. Good Luck to all!
Go Eagles!
Dr. Gruccio
NJSIAA: For the most up to date information from the New Jersey Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) visit their website at https://www.njsiaa.org/
NCAA: Thinking about participating in athletics after high school? Then visit the following link from the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) to prepare: https://www.ncaa.org/student-athletes/future
Marchin Band Preview!
WEEKLY DIGITAL NEWSLETTERS
Each week our principals share an update on what is happening in their respective schools. Check out the Weekly Digital Newsletters linked below.
Week of September 1, 2021
ABOUT US
EMBRACE-ENGAGE-EDUCATE
Email: ehtsd@eht.k12.nj.us
Website: www.eht.k12.nj.us
Location: 13 Swift Drive, Egg Harbor Township, NJ, USA
Phone: 609-646-7911
Facebook: www.facebook.com/EHTNJSchools/
Twitter: @EHTNJSchools