CGSD Newsletter
August 2019
Dear CGSD Community,
Welcome to the 2019-20 school year!
I hope summer has treated you well and you are looking forward to the opening of school as much as we are! As a friendly reminder, the first day for students is Wednesday, September 4th. For your convenience, the District Calendar can be found here: https://tinyurl.com/yxjglfzx
For the upcoming school year, a mix of new and experienced classroom teachers, education specialists, paraprofessionals and support staff have joined our team this summer. Work towards the completion of our safety and security projects is moving forward and, prior to the arrival of students, all CGSD staff members will be introduced to the award-winning CLASS™ Emergency Notification and Response System that will launch later this year. This new alert system will dramatically improve our emergency notification and response capabilities and help create an even safer place to learn. Please visit www.sielox.com for further information.
In other important news, our new three-year Strategic Plan (https://tinyurl.com/y3arewxf) has been established, our 1:1 Chromebook Initiative (grades 5-12) has successfully launched and our custodial & maintenance staff has revitalized learning spaces, corridors and outdoor recreation areas. It is hard work, but each summer we maintain focus on a common goal - creating the best possible educational environment for the school children in Cedar Grove.
For now, I send best wishes for a restful Labor Day Weekend and look forward to welcoming your children on opening day!
#WeAreCedarGrove
Sincerely,
Michael J. Fetherman
Superintendent
If you haven't done so already, parents of students in grades 5-12 are reminded that the Parent and Student Device Maintenance Terms and Agreement form MUST be completed prior to Chromebook pick-up. Please click here to access this document https://tinyurl.com/y2w8pnq5. FAQs can be found here: https://tinyurl.com/y65697db.
CGHS will host the ACT for students in Grade 12 on Tuesday, October 1, 2019. Seniors are encouraged to speak with their guidance counselor, if interested.
Check out the new STEM Lab at CGHS! Students enrolled in STEM courses will join a community of "Makers" using the latest in open-source hardware and software.
Engineering Robotics I students will learn how to program and create original machines using Adafruit Circuit Playground Express Microcontrollers and Arduino UNO Microcontrollers. They will also design and print 3D creations using our Lulzbot 3D Printers.
Engineering Robotics II students will build, program and compete using the VEX EDR Robotic Systems. They will also learn how to build and fly BetaFPV 65s mini-quadcopter, DJI Phantom 4 Pro Quadcopter and F550 Hexacopter drones. Students will prepare to take their FAA part 107 Small Unmanned Aircraft Operator's License Test which will permit them to work as fully-fledged commercial drone operators.
STEM Design students will learn how to operate commercial grade X-Carve CNC router machines and Graphtec Vinyl Cutter(s) in order to bring their ideas to life.
Our Athletic department recently established a 3-year partnership with the Positive Coaching Alliance https://devzone.positivecoach.org/ Positive Coaching Alliance, PCA, develops a motto of 'Better Athletes, Better People' through resources for high school coaches, parents, administrators and student athletes.
PCA partnerships and workshops combine the latest in sports-psychology, educational psychology, and organizational behavior with practice advice from a National Advisory Board of top pro and college athletes and coaches who use those principals at the highest levels of competition. PCA and CGHS will work together by conducting three workshops per year.
The first partnership workshop entitled 'Developing the Triple Impact Competitor' was held on August 13, 2019 for all of our Cedar Grove High School Athletic Coaches. The workshop focused on three key points: to make yourself better, to make your teammates and players better, and to make the game better.
Music Matters is a family-school organization supporting the music program at Cedar Grove High School. We work with the students and teachers to partner with and support community events and organizations in our wonderful town.
Please visit CGHS Music Matters online at: https://www.cgschools.org/cghs-music-matters/
On Facebook: CGHS Music Matters
On Instagram: cghsmusic
On Twitter: @cghs_Music
The mission of the Cedar Grove Education (CGEF) is to enrich and enhance the educational experiences of Cedar Grove students above and beyond the scope of the curriculum and to provide lifelong learning opportunities for the entire community.
Follow us on Facebook: Cedar Grove Education Foundation
CGSD Social Media: GET CONNECTED!
Email: fetherman.michael@cgschools.org
Website: www.cgschools.org
Location: 520 Pompton Avenue, Cedar Grove, NJ, USA
Phone: (973) 239-1550
Facebook: facebook.com/CedarGroveSuperintendent
Twitter: @Cgssuper