HTSD Newsletter
Spring 2022 Edition
A letter from Dr. Scott Rocco, HTSD Superintendent
Dear HTSD Community,
Welcome to the SPRING SEASON and the Spring 2022 Edition of the HTSD Newsletter. Over the course of the last two years, I have communicated directly with you through community updates, robocalls, and posts on our district’s social media feeds / website. However, as we transition back into a routine similar to before the pandemic, we wanted to bring back our seasonal newsletter.
In this newsletter you will find important information related to district, department, and school happenings. The information is intended to inform you about some of the many great things happening in our school district.
Please take note of the upcoming district-wide Spirit Week from Monday, March 28 through Friday, April 1. I hope you and your family will participate. In addition, there are curricular updates for the elementary, middle, and high schools. These are just two of many items.
I’d also like to bring your attention to a change made to the current school calendar (2021-2022) and notify you that the 2022-2023 school calendar has been approved.
Change to the 2021-2022 School Calendar**
At the February 23rd Board of Education meeting, the Board voted to amend our current calendar if one snow day remains unused. Effective immediately:
If one snow day remains unused, the give back day will be June 21, 2022 and that will mean that the last day of school will be June 20, 2022.
If two snow days remain unused, the give back days will be June 21, 2022 and May 27, 2022. School will be closed on both of these days.
If three snow days remain unused, the give back days will be June 21, 2022, May 27, 2022, and May 31, 2022. School will be closed on all three of these days.
** At this time, Crockett Middle School will need to make up a day of school due to a closure in February. That day will be determined in April and communicated to families.
2022-2023 SCHOOL CALENDAR
At the February 23rd Board of Education meeting, the Board also voted to approve the 2022-2023 School Calendar. Please click HERE to view the calendar. Here are a few dates I would like to highlight for you:
The first day of school for students is September 6th; it is a one-session day for students.
School is closed for students (professional days for faculty and staff) on Election Day (November 8th) and Primary Day (June 6th) due to the fact that voting is held in our schools.
There are 3 snow days built into our calendar.
The give-back days, if snow days are unused, are as follows:
If one snow day remains unused, the give back day will be May 26, 2023. School will be closed on this day
If two snow days remain unused, the give back days will be May 26, 2023 and May 30, 2023. School will be closed on both of these days.
If three snow days remain unused, the give back days will be May 26, 2023, May 30, 2023, and May 25, 2023. School will be closed on all three of these days.
The last day of school is scheduled for June 21, 2023.
I hope you enjoy the spring edition of our HTSD Newsletter.
Sincerely,
Scott Rocco
Superintendent of Schools
HTSD Recognizes ONE Project as a Community Partner
The Hamilton Township School District (HTSD) presented a Certificate of Recognition to Stacey Kierman, Immediate Past Chair and Community Liaison for ONE Project, in honor of the organization’s commitment to the HTSD community. Read more ➡️ link to press release.
Curriculum & Instruction Update
From Director of Curriculum & Instruction
Mr. Anthony Scotto
Elementary Update
During the month of March all Grade 5 students (virtually) attended the Arts Recruitment Assemblies. Students were provided with an overview of offerings at the middle school level (art, band, orchestra, general music, and vocal music). In addition, students were informed of the additional experiences that are offered with each course (ie: field trips, performances, concerts, art shows, etc). Students were given an opportunity to meet the teacher at their respective middle school and ask content-related questions. If you are interested in learning more about New Jersey's standards for Visual & Performing Arts, click here for more information.
Our Grade 3 students learn about communities in social studies. During the months of April - June, Grade 3 students will participate in the Historic Tour of Hamilton. While on the tour, students will be able to stop and go inside Abbott House, Watson House, and Kuser Mansion. In addition, while on the bus, students will be able to see Locust Hill House, Yardville Hotel, Middleton House & Barn, Friends' Meeting House, Gropp's Lake, Isaac Pearson Home, and the Charles Conrad Abbott's Farm. If you are interested in learning more about Hamilton, click here for more information.
Middle School Update
This year our district implemented two new textbook series; one for Mathematics and one for English Language Arts. We have outlined (below) a description of each series.
Into Mathematics (Grades 6-8 Math)
- Models conceptual understanding and reinforces understanding with procedural practice;
- Provides resources for whole class, small group, and independent practice;
- Integrates growth mindset strategies and social emotional learning;
- Encourages student growth with intentionally designed lessons and high quality tasks to help students develop perseverance in problem solving;
- Utilizes Waggle, an online adaptive program, that personalizes student practice and instruction and provides support at all proficiency levels.
- Click here to learn more about Waggle Click here to learn more about Into Mathematics
Into Literature (Grades 6-8 English Language Arts)
- Strengthens critical thinking skills with culturally diverse texts;
- Allows students to see themselves and their experiences reflected in literature they read and content they study;
- Includes high interest topics and essential questions;
- Provides personalized reading and writing scaffolds to meet students' individual needs;
- Utilizes Writable, an online adaptive program, that provides students with practice, feedback, and assessment simulation;
- Click here to learn more about Writable Click here to learn more about Into Literature
Save the Dates...Virtual Textbook Overview Sessions:
- Math Textbook Overview - March 31st (6:30 PM)
- ELA Textbook Overview - April 7th (6:30 PM)
- Note: Additional information regarding these events is forthcoming
High School Update
Our 22/23 SY High School Program of Studies was released during the month of February. In addition to our current, robust course offerings, HTSD is pleased to add/revise the following courses for the upcoming school year:
- Advanced Placement Microeconomics;
- Telecommunications II (will now be called Telecommunications II/Social Media);
- Advanced Algebra w/ Trigonometry;
- Graphic Arts II.
We also encourage the HTSD Community to check out 29 Honors courses, 24 Advanced Placement (AP) courses, 10 Career Technical Education (CTE) courses, NCAA approved courses, Dual Enrollment Programs, and math & science pathways.
For more information about our High School Program of Studies, please click the link below:
Human Resources Update
Dr. Dennis Copeland
The HTSD Human Resources Department is proud to host and attend multiple Job Fairs this spring. Check out the event flyer images below.
March 22, 2022 - Educational Assistant Job Fair
90 Park Avenue, Hamilton, NJ 08690
March 25, 2022 - Hamilton Township Job Fair
Colonial Fire House, 801 Kuser Road, Hamilton, NJ 08619
April 28, 2022 - HTSD Job Fair
Steinert High School
Stop by a Job Fair to learn how you can become part of the HTSD Team!
Student Services & Programs Update
Mrs. Marta Audino
The Department of Student Services and Programs has been diligently working to continue supporting students and their families.
The department has collaborated with the Child Wellness Institute of New Jersey to offer the Nurtured Heart Series for HTSD Parents. This is a six-week series, offered in English and Spanish, being held on Mondays at 6:30pm, March 7th - April 11th. The Nurtured Heart Approach® (NHA) is a curriculum for building relationships. Participants are learning how to relate to children in ways that guide them to use their intensity successfully and positively.
Participants will discuss the following four topics during the six-week sessions.
Building positive relationships with your child(ren)
Setting appropriate boundaries and rules
Learning to create meaningful time to bond with your child(ren)
De-escalating negative behaviors
April 2nd is World Autism Awareness Day. On April 1st, the HTSD will celebrate Autism Awareness by wearing blue and live streaming a Read Aloud event at the Hamilton Township Library.
Aware Because We Care Day will be held on June 10th. Reynolds Middle School will be hosting the kick off this year. During this day, every school throughout the district participates in activities, events, assemblies, and/or experiences to celebrate our students with special needs and to understand that we should focus on people's abilities. The theme for this year's day is “Be Brave, Not Perfect.”
Technology Update
Mr. Jim O'Boyle
HTSD Engagement Challenge
The Engagement Challenge is currently running for the month of March for teachers around the district! Teachers can choose any activity from the choice board, try it in class and submit an example from the lesson for a chance to win an Amazon gift card for their classroom. Thank you to the Hamilton Education Foundation that donated the gift cards for our teachers! Check out the challenge here: bit.ly/HTSDchallenge22
Join us at HTSD Tech Night!
Tech Night will take place at Crockett Middle School and feature a Teacher Showcase, a Careers in Tech Expo and our high school robotics teams! Stop by for a bite to eat from one of the food trucks and enjoy a night celebrating teachers and technology in our schools.
Skip the line by pre-registering here: https://forms.gle/aY9KZjgcUeTvzp8z5
What's New @ HTSD? Drones! ⌘
Grice Middle School will be featured on the WHYY Movers & Makers series later this spring. The WHYY media team filmed the Drone Legends student presentation on February 22, 2022.
Read more ➡️ HTSD Launches Drone Technology Curriculum press release.
Three HTSD Schools Receive Character.org "NJ School of Character" Awards!
HTSD is the proud recipient of three 2022 New Jersey School of Character awards!
There are 70 award recipients for 2022, selected from 180 applications throughout the country; 16 awarded in New Jersey. This is the second NJ State of Character award for both McGalliard (2016) and Morgan (2017). Crockett Middle School received an honorable mention award for their work in restorative practices, peer leadership mentoring program, character traits, and virtual clubs.
Read more ➡️ January 25, 2022 Press Release
#HTSDpride
HTSD Summer Camp Program 2022 / Host school: Reynolds Middle School
The Hamilton Township School District is offering Summer Camp programs for Hamilton Township residents, entering grades K-12.
With 35 unique Camps, there is something for every Camper. Camps are offered on a first-come, first served basis.
Please REGISTER at your earliest convenience. Camp space is limited.
HTSD Class of 2022 Graduation Information
The Hamilton Township School District is currently planning three separate graduation ceremonies for our graduating Class of 2022 seniors.
Graduation Day: Monday, June 20, 2022.
CURE Insurance Arena
81 Hamilton Avenue, Trenton, NJ 08611
Nottingham High School and Steinert High School
War Memorial
1 Memorial Drive, Trenton, NJ 08608
Hamilton High School West
Middle School and High School Spring Musicals
Reynolds Middle School
Sister Act
March 16 - 19, 2022
Grice Middle School
Matilda Jr.
March 24 - 26, 2022
Crockett Middle School
Name of Show
April 28 - 30, 2022
Hamilton High School West
Pippen
May 12 - 14, 2022
Nottingham High School
May 5 - 7, 2022
Steinert High School
Once Upon a Mattress
May 19 - 21, 2022
HTSD H.O.P.E. Video Series
Free or Reduced Lunch Application - Please submit.
We encourage all parents / guardians to complete a free or reduced price meal application to determine if your student(s) is eligible. Applications must be completed every school year. Parents need only to complete one application per household. For half-day Pre-K students, the application is used to determine whether your student(s) qualifies to receive free milk.
Applications are available online at www.PaySchoolsCentral.com or you may request a paper application from the main office of your child’s school. All new families must set up a user profile prior to completing your online free or reduced price meal application. Users with an existing online application profile can login with their existing credentials and click to begin your online free or reduced price meal application. Please note that if your household income changes at any time during the current school year, you may apply/re-apply.
If you have not yet completed an application for the 2021-2022 school year, we ask that you please complete one now.
Sports @HTSD
Click below to view each school's Athletic Calendars:
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Emergency Closing Information
Hamilton Township School District
Email: lgeltch@htsdnj.org
Website: https://www.htsdnj.org/
Location: 90 Park Avenue, Hamilton Township, NJ, USA
Phone: (609) 631-4100
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WeAreHTSD
Twitter: @WeAreHTSD