Crystal's Corner
April 29, 2016
GOAL #1: STUDENT GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT
Thursday night I attended the National Honor Society (NHS) Induction Ceremony in the LHS Commons. (The auditorium is temporarily closed for air conditioning installation. Various events are relocated for the duration...should provide for a cool setting for June/end-of-year events.) The NHS ceremony is always a nice event. View program.
Our students excel in and outside of school. This week we received news about a variety of students' achievements in their personal athletic pursuits. Sometimes we hear via a guidance counselor, a principal, and/or a parent. Frequently, when we share news of one such accomplishment, we'll hear from other parents about same. Although it's sometimes piecemeal, we enjoy showcasing our students' many talents. Below is info that also was shared in the past couple QuickNews.
Kerstyn Johnson, LMS 7th grader, recently competed in the USA Gymnastics NJ State Championships. She walked away as the Level 6 Balance Beam State Champion!
Joelle Green, junior
William Bidle, junior
Christian Fang, sophomore
Ethan Crutchley, sophomore
Luke Bidle, 8th grade
Alex Hatfield, 8th grade
In photo: Dominique Peters, Mijah Collier, Cynthia Currie, Kelsey Holt & Sataya Gordon
Allison Kershner, LIS band and orchestra director, nominated students based on their performances in the LIS Orchestra or Band and CJMEA selected festival participants from the nominees.
Violin: Adithi Ponakampalli, Samantha Gunton, Elizabeth Claros, Richa Narahari, Chaiyo Kosinski, Vidya Vedula, Prajna Karmaker
Viola: Emily Gormley, Elias Johnson
Cello: Maggie Gronenthal, Olivia Drake, Maria Vittadello, Ethan Wang, Crystal Yuen
Double Bass: Laura-Simone Martin
Flute: Catie Lillja, Dhruv Indelicato
Clarinet: Binet Sinha
Alto Sax: Kate McCann
Tenor Sax: Rahul Nair
Trumpet: Arnav Aggarwal
Trombone: Benjamin Lilly, Sean Mills
Baritone: Arya Baskaran
Tuba: Manasvi Rani, Sara Kuwar
Percussion: Noah Lehrfeld, Liam Thompson
LHS students performed two dramas: The Empty Chair and Selfie. Rachel won the Outstanding Student Direction Award for Selfie and Cassie received Outstanding Acting Awards for both Selfie and The Empty Chair.
L to R below: Cassie Coyle and Rachel Rivera
GOAL #2: CULTURE OF LEARNING FOR ALL
This week found me:
- meeting with LIS administrators and a parent;
- reviewing with other administrators applications for the Director of Student Services position;
- working on the strategic plan;
- visiting an LES third grade classroom to learn about diabetes from a student;
- observing two administrators, separately;
- attending the BOE meeting; and yes, once again...
- PAPERWORK!
Jeff from Comegno's office and I attended a PERC hearing on Tuesday about the Unfair Labor Practice claim. The hearing consumed the entire morning. Fortunately we reached an agreement and once it's typed, both sides hopefully will sign.
GOAL #3: LOCAL & GLOBAL COMMUNITY
Lawrence Township has applied for a Safe Routes to Schools grant with a funding request of over $200,000. A representative of the Greater Mercer Transportation Management Association assisted in some of the township's data collection. View here a 2014 report prepared by the Greater Mercer TMA.
GOAL #4: FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY
Tom related today that the bids for turf, including lights, came in favorably, I imagine this will be discussed in Finance and we'll hear more about it at a later time.
Tom and I received notification, which was shared with Kevin, that the Mercer County Interim Executive Superintendent approved the completion of my Merit Goal 4.
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
Mar. 2, 2016: 2nd Evaluation & Merit Goal Update w/Personnel Committee
May 4, 2016: 3rd Evaluation & Merit Goal Update w/Personnel Committee
May 5, 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