The COnnection
MARSD Central Office Newsletter
From the Superintendent - Dr. Majka
The 2018-2019 dates for the Monthly Discussions with the Superintendent are set. I hope you find time in your schedule to attend at least one of these meetings, as the success of our district comes from all of us working together.
Monthly Discussions with Superintendent
Please enjoy this first edition of our Central Office Newsletter, The COnnection, brought to your by our Personnel Office, under the direction of Mr. Michael Liebmann.
Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD)
Thursday, Oct 25, 2018, 07:00 PM
Matawan Regional High School, Atlantic Avenue, Aberdeen Township, NJ, USA
Screenagers: Growing Up In The Digital Age
Thursday, Nov 29, 2018, 07:00 PM
469 Matawan Avenue, Cliffwood, NJ, USA
Thriving on Change
As professionals, we are constantly in a state of change, and the pace of change in education is accelerating. This includes teaching practices, programs, policy, and advancements in technology. We are all experiencing a new era of innovation and discovery, that even just a few years ago, did not exist. The success of a school district depends on how those changes are turned into opportunity. The field of human resources and personnel are certainly not immune to change.
Personnel is often responsible for some of the most critical aspects of change. Hiring practices, employee retention, and professional learning are critical components of workforce culture. Personnel plays a supporting role in helping to hire and build the capacity of educators to accelerate learning for our students. So how does this department prepare to stay ahead of the rolling waves of change? It is important to be aware and anticipate what is coming. We often try to be prepared with accurate, reliable information and seek out the best supports in our field. Then we embrace what is new and look at changes an opportunity to grow. Our goal is the same, whether we are in the classroom working directly with students or we have a different role within the district; affect the positive outcomes of student success and provide students with the best educators who can provide a solid education.
New Certificated Staff Orientation
This school year we welcomed several new staff members to the Matawan-Aberdeen family. The staff had a chance to become better acquainted with the district in August when they gathered together with district administrators for an orientation. The day began with a meet-and-greet with building principals and vice principals. Then, the new staff had a chance to learn about district technology, the evaluation model, and other educational best practices. The orientation was also a great chance for new staff members to introduce themselves to their fellow new colleagues. The orientation served as the first meeting of the new teacher academy. The new teacher academy meets monthly and covers a range of educational based topics including the mentor process, classroom management, and ESL sheltered instruction.
Week of Respect and School Violence Awareness Week
Matawan-Aberdeen schools, along with districts across the state of New Jersey, recognize the importance of cultivating a positive school climate. The opportunity to provide students a safe environment in which they are able to engage in academic success and grow as individuals is extremely important. During both the Week of Respect and School Violence Awareness Week, our schools were able to build upon their current work by delivering age-appropriate instruction to students on these essential topics.
The Week of Respect takes place the first week of October. The week is recognized in each school with classroom based and school wide age-appropriate activities and instruction.
The School Violence Awareness Week begins on the third Monday of October.
Our schools look to maintain a positive school climate and high expectations to reduce violence and create a safe and supportive learning environment throughout the school year.
Tuition Reimbursement Procedures
Have you thought about continuing your education? If a return to college is in your future and you would like reimbursement on tution, here a few things to consider. First, you can only be reimbursed for courses that apply to your current or future teaching assignment. All of your coursework must be submitted to Administration for prior approval. Remember, the prior approval form needs to be submitted before the course begins. After you have successfully completed your course work be sure to submit your official transcript (a grade of B or better in the course) and paid tuition receipts. Tution will only be reimbursed for courses taken from a duly authorized institution of higher learning that is licensed by the commission of Higher Education or an out-of-state institution by the appropriate state agency and regionally accredited or seeking accreditation by the appropriate accrediting body recognized by the Council on Postsecondary Education or the U.S. Department of Education. If you need more information you can reach out to the Personnel Office.
Curriculum Corner
At the Board of Education Meeting on August 27, 2018, the Matawan-Aberdeen Regional School District Board of Education approved the district’s participation in the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) for the 2018-2019 school year. The district is currently in the planning stages for a 1-2 week visit by Chinese Exchange Students to take place in winter 2019.
On Tuesday October 16th from 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM 39 French Foreign Exchange Students will visit Matawan Regional High School. The purpose of this visit is to provide the French students with an opportunity to see an American High School and meet American HS students.
Below is a picture of the visit from the Chinese Administrators and Delegates on October 10th.
School Holidays
NJEA Convention - Schools & Offices Closed
November 8th and 9th
Thanksgiving Holiday - Schools & Offices Closed
November 21st - Early Dismissal
November 22nd and 23rd - Closed