Crystal's Corner
February 5, 2016
GOAL #1: STUDENT GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT
Once again our musically-talented students are recognized. The Central Jersey Music Educators Association (CIMEA) has tapped Lawrence Middle School (LMS) students Andrew Yuen (gr. 7) and Kaitlyn Malyszka (gr. 8) for Intermediate ensembles.
Andrew will perform on the cello in the chamber orchestra, the highest orchestra for which one may be selected. He is a member of the LMS orchestra under the direction of Melissa Clark. Kaitlyn will play the bass clarinet in the Concert Band. She is a member of the LMS Concert Band directed by Ron Taglairino.
In preparation for March concerts, both students will attend rehearsals with fellow middle school students from around the region, who also auditioned and were accepted into these select ensembles.
GOAL #2: CULTURE OF LEARNING FOR ALL
It's BOE Retreat time! Earlier this week, Beth in Tom's office confirmed Wednesday, February 24 at 6PM in the Tech Center. This session will speak to the below objective in our strategic plan.
Objective 2.5: Plan, develop, implement and assess the effectiveness of a comprehensive professional development plan that offers high quality, well-organized, integrated and ongoing professional learning opportunities for all BOE members that support our strategic plan’s Goal 1: student growth and development.
I dedicated Monday AM to the budget and the strategic plan.
The words of the week were: instructional rounds, with a focus on questioning. I was in multiple classrooms via five separate rounds involving four schools and one or more principals, assistant principals or supervisors per each round.
Personnel met on Wednesday and CIAPD met on Thursday. We'll probably receive feedback at the BOE meeting.
Parents are invited to attend a Community Resource Panel information session on Friday, February 12 from 3-4:30 p.m. in Lawrence High's library. Several community agencies in the area, including Catholic Charities, the Lawrence Community Center, Princeton House, Recovery Associates and others will share services they offer to children and families in short presentations and a question and answer period.
GOAL #3: LOCAL & GLOBAL COMMUNITY
Monday afternoon Andrew, Lana and I met with Steven Prentiss regarding templates for our website redesign. I believe Steven spoke to CIAPD this week about it. Our current website is hosted by SchoolWorld, which is one of many entities bought out by Blackboard. Blackboard is phasing out SchoolWorld and will get to a point when Blackboard no longer supports SchoolWorld. We are in the initial phase of the project and plans call for switching over to the new site July 1...with lots of detailed work and training in the interim.
At an event held at PEAC Health & Fitness in January, Abbie, her family members, and about 25 other LIS students and parents donated time to cut and sew sweaters to make caps. At right is Abbie working on a cap and below are the 64 caps. The items made with care will be distributed to cancer patients at Capital Health Hopewell and Princeton Medical Center. Do our students give back to the community or what?!?
GOAL #4: FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY
LABTA cancelled the February 9 negotiations meeting and Judy now is polling for a new date.
SUPERINTENDENT GOALS & PDP ACTIVITIES
Just a reminder that I have given every BOE member "view only" access to the Google folders that were once only visible by the Personnel committee. I will update these documents as needed. Please use the links below to access them w/your Google accounts and/or the accounts you use to access other committee agenda information. You can access this information at any time that is convenient for you. Please let me know if you cannot access the information.
Click on the link below:
Goal 5: Community Participation
Below is the schedule the Personnel Committee agreed on with regard to my evaluation procedures:
Superintendent Evaluation Protocols
July 17, 2015: Merit Goals submitted to ECS
August 20, 2015: Merit Goals approved by ECS - letter in Supt Eval Folder
Nov 3, 2015: 1st Evaluation & Merit Goal Update w/Personnel Committee
Feb 3, 2016: 2nd Evaluation & Merit Goal Update w/Personnel Committee - postponed
May XX, 2016: 3rd Evaluation & Merit Goal Update w/Personnel Committee
May XX, 2016: Supt to complete electronic submission
May 25, 2016: BOE meeting w/o Supt to finalize report
June XX, 2016: Supt to receive written report
June 22, 2016: Full BOE meeting w/Supt to discuss report
June 30, 2016: Submit to County Office BOE resolution for merit bonus - NJDOE
July 15, 2016: BOE pays merit bonus for prior year - NJDOE