LPS Spotlight
News for the Livingston Public Schools Community
July 27, 2023
LHS STUDENTS WERE RECOGNIZED FOR THEIR ACHIEVEMENTS AT THE FBLA NATIONAL LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE. SCROLL DOWN TO READ THE STORY!
SCROLL DOWN FOR INFO ON...
- Upcoming Board of Education Meeting
- Genesis Summer Update: Forms & Documents Now Available
- LHS FBLA Find Success at National Leadership Conference
- Voluntary Student Accident Insurance
- Mental Health Resources
- SEC Conference Coach of the Year
- Community News: Library and Township Surveys
BOARD OF EDUCATION TO MEET AUGUST 8, 2023
The Livingston Board of Education will hold a public meeting at 7:15PM on Tuesday, August 8, 2023. View the Board's full 2023 Meeting Calendar HERE.
Public meetings are held in a hybrid format during which participants have the ability to ask questions and make comments either in person or via the webinar. Members of the public may attend in person at the Central Office, 11 Foxcroft Drive, or virtually via webinar. The webinar link is posted on the front page of the district website, www.livingston.org, on the day of the meeting. The meeting will also be livestreamed on the district's Facebook page, @LivSchools.
GENESIS PORTAL UPDATE
FORMS & DOCUMENTS NOW AVAILABLE!
Parent Forms and Documents are now available in the Genesis Portal. A detailed email with instructions has been sent to parents. Be sure to read the instructions completely before completing the forms.
PLEASE NOTE that the forms must be filled out in order for parents and students to see teacher and schedule information in August.
Teacher assignments, student schedules, and bus stop information will be posted August 28, 2023. Parents will receive an email when schedules are posted.
Please be sure you keep parent email addresses up to date in Genesis to receive district emails.
LHS FBLA SUCCESS!
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. The audit began on May 16, 2023 and will run four to six months. The auditors have engaged in focus group discussions with members of the LPS community including staff, students, and parents.
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.
STUDENT ACCIDENT INSURANCE
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.
MINORITY/BIPOC MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH
CARE SOLACE OFFERS SUMMER TIPS
Summer is here! CareSolace encourages everyone to prioritize self care and well-being as they continue to work through their summer to-do lists.
Embrace the great outdoors. Spending time outside has numerous benefits, such as reducing stress and anxiety, improving mood, and boosting creativity. Consider activities like walking, hiking, biking, gardening, or relaxing in a shady park.
Make time for loved ones. It's easy to get caught up in our daily routines and miss out on quality time with friends and family. This summer, prioritize reconnecting with your loved ones through shared meals, game nights, movie nights, or simply picking up the phone for a catch-up call.
Prioritize sleep. During busy times, our sleep habits can suffer. Make an effort to establish a consistent sleep schedule and give your body the rest it deserves.
Most importantly, have fun and do something that brings you joy each day. Whether trying a new hobby, indulging in a favorite activity or simply taking time to relax and unwind, make sure to prioritize your happiness this summer.
If you or a family member are struggling with mental health or substance use issues, remember that help is available. Care Solace, a complimentary and confidential coordination service provided by Livingston Public Schools, is available 24/7/365 to help you find mental health care or substance use treatment providers. Call 888-515-0595 for multilingual support or visit caresolace.com/livingston to search for providers on your own or receive assistance through video chat, email, or phone.
We wish you a happy and healthy summer break, and we'll see you again in September!
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!
PETRYNA NAMED COACH OF THE YEAR!
FOLLOW US!
EMPLOYMENT
THE LIBRARY WANTS YOUR INPUT!
The Livingston Library is creating its next strategic plan. Community input is important to help the library be sure that it’s next chapter is a great fit for all who live, work, and learn in town.
CLICK HERE TO TAKE THE LIVINGSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY SURVEY. Please complete the survey by July 31, 2023.
TOWNSHIP SURVEY
The Township of Livingston has launched a new initiative called “Livingston for All” to promote inclusive practices that support the health and well-being of individuals with disabilities in the Livingston community. Livingston for All was formed to lead an initiative to promote local-level community change through policy, systems, and environmental changes.
Jennifer Walker, Director of Livingston's Senior, Youth & Leisure services, explained, "This survey is being conducted to assess community policy, systems, and environmental changes needed to make the Township of Livingston more inclusive of people with disabilities. There will be follow-up conversations with individuals after the survey is over to get more detailed information about some of the responses and have deeper conversations. If you’re someone who has a disability, or the guardian of someone with a disability, and are interested in participating in those conversations, there’s a place on the survey to indicate that.
"Your input is crucial in our efforts to make the policies and environments in the community more inclusive of people of all abilities and we thank you for your willingness to take this short survey."
LACD POOL PARTY
The Livingston Advisory Committee for Disabilities (LACD) will sponsor its second annual pool party for Livingston residents with special needs and their families on Thursday, August 10, 2023. The party will be held at Haines Pool, 10 Wahler Rd., Livingston, NJ and will run from 4:00 pm to 7pm. In the event of rain, the party will be held on Friday, August 11, at the same time and place. Participants should bring a swimsuit, towel, and sunscreen to this free party. Pizza and snacks will be available for guests. Please RSVP by August 1 by calling 973-535-7961, ext. 231, or e-mailing lacdlivingstonnj@gmail.com. To find out if this event has been cancelled due to inclement weather, e-mail lacdlivingstonnj@gmail.com or call 973-535-7961, ext. 231. You can visit us online at www.facebook.com/lacdnj or www.livingstonnj.org/LACD.
CRISIS LIFELINE
LPS Spotlight
2022-2023 School Year / No. 24
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.