LPS Spotlight
News for the Livingston Public Schools Community
Kindergarten registration for the 2024-2025 school year will open on January 22, 2024. Information will be posted on the front page of our website, www.livingston.org, that day. All registration will be done via our online registration portal. Children must be 5 years old on or before October 1, 2024 to register for kindergarten. READ MORE...
SCROLL OR CLICK ON THE TABLE OF CONTENTS TO THE LEFT FOR INFO ON...
- Board of Education Meeting TONIGHT
- Two Qualify for Speech & Debate Nationals
- November Lancers of the Month
- Kindergarten Registration Opens January 22nd
- Science Pathways Night, January 24th
- Chess News
- LHS Business Club Named Chapter of the Month
- LPS Parent Learning Series
- Help Wanted: Playground Aides
- Tech Coaches Pen Article
BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING: Jan. 16, 2024 (7PM)
The Livingston Board of Education will hold a public meeting tonight, Tuesday, January 16, 2024 (7PM) at the Central Office, 11 Foxcroft Drive. The agenda includes a Mid-Year District Goals Update and presentation of the Budget Calendar.
Tonight's meeting will be held in a hybrid format during which participants will have the ability to ask questions and make comments either in person or via the webinar. Register for the webinar using the link below. The meeting will also be livestreamed on the district's Facebook page, @LivSchools.
TWO QUALIFY FOR SPEECH AND DEBATE NATIONALS!
The LHS Speech and Debate Team placed fifth at a recent NJ Speech and Debate League Tournament! At the tournament, Samay Malde and Suraj Nistala won first place in the varsity Public Forum competition, which qualified them for Nationals!
The competition also included the following special highlights:
- Eli Kushner and Tim Volkov took second place overall in JV Public Forum
- Audrey Xu and Jenny Zhu earned fourth place overall in Varsity Duo Interpretation
- Joanna Liu won third place overall in Varsity Original Oratory
CHESS NEWS!
LHS CHESS TEAM FINDS SUCCESS AT CHAMPIONSHIP!
The Livingston High School Chess Team recently debuted its winter season with great success in the NJ Grade School Chess Championship in Lincroft. This five-round tournament, held at Brookdale Community College, included nearly 500 competitive K-12 players from across the state. Trophies were given to the top ten individuals, and the top three teams, which consisted of three players in a grade from the same school. This year, the Lancers won the 10th grade section, and earned second place in the 9th grade section, despite being down a player. Additionally, many individual students won awards for their impressive performances. READ MORE...
MIDDLE SCHOOL CHESS
Congratulations to Devina Shah who represented Mt. Pleasant Middle School at the NJ State K-12 Chess Championships. She finished in fifth place in the 6th grade division!
NOVEMBER LANCERS OF THE MONTH
Throughout the school year, Livingston High School names “Lancers of the Month,” students, faculty, and staff who model for the entire community the qualities and values that define Livingston High School – the same qualities and values that empower the school community to learn, create, contribute, and grow. Lancers of the Month can reflect any of pillars of the LPS Portrait of a Graduate, as well as any other admirable traits, such as kindness, civility, or resiliency.
“That is, individuals who by what they do and how they do it, give life to our community,” said Amro Mohammed, dean of students.
The November 2023 Lancers of the Month included staff members Lori Perez and Marisa Vosa and students Julia Levitt and Theo Oubrier. Each honoree received a certificate in recognition of this achievement.Congratulations to all!
LHS BUSINESS CLUB NAMED CHAPTER OF THE MONTH
DECA, Livingston High School's new business club, boast currently has 150 members! Due to its new membership numbers (which have nearly tripled) the LHS club has been named "Chapter of the Month" by the DECA organization.
DECA prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality and management in high schools and colleges around the globe. The club compete on various levels and participates in community endeavours, such as a school store to raise school spirit. The club also recently held a holiday night and will participate in an upcoming regional competition.
KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION OPENS JANUARY 22, 2024
Kindergarten registration for the 2024-2025 school year will open on January 22, 2024.
- Children must be 5 years old on or before October 1st of the current year to enter Kindergarten, or 6 years old by October 1st of the current year to enter 1st grade as per Entrance Age Policy 5112. View Entrance Age Policy #5112.
- Any Livingston resident who completed the kindergarten registration process by May 15th will be notified of their child's school placement by June 1st.
- If your child currently attends the Livingston Public School Pre-School program you DO NOT have to complete the pre-registration online. Please contact Amy Ennis at aennis@livingston.org for instructions.
- Click here to visit our Registration Page.
SCIENCE PATHWAYS NIGHT: JANUARY 24, 2024
The LPS Science Department will host its annual Science Pathways Night on Wednesday, January 24th at 6:30PM in the LHS auditorium. This event is open to all students in 8th - 11th grades, as well as their parents. The program will include a brief overview of the science graduation requirements and the four pathways offered at LHS - Science Research, Health Science, Biotechnology, and Sustainability Science. Parents will have the opportunity to attend breakout sessions and meet the teachers in these pathways and see the classrooms in which their children could be working. READ MORE HERE!
NEW TRANSITION CONTINUUM PRESENTATION
The Department of Equity, Inclusion, Intervention & Inspiration has announced the launch of its new “Transition Continuum Presentation” The presentation was created in response to feedback from SEPAC about the complicated changes that happen for students and parents as they transition in and out of LPS schools. With this tool, the Department hopes to support a better understanding of the process.
LPS PARENT LEARNING SERIES
LPS is proud to present a series of workshops to help parents/caregivers support their children's academic and social-emotional wellbeing.
UP NEXT IN THE LIVINGSTON PARENT LEARNING SERIES:
- January 18 - "Class of 2028 LHS Parent Orientation"
- January 18 - "Class of 2028 | 8th to 9th Grade Transition Night for Parents of Students with IEPs"
- January 18 - "PRIDE Parent Workshop: Teaching Math Skills Through Fun, Everyday Activities"
View the full list of all January 2024 Parent Learning Series workshops. Please review the selections carefully, as some require pre-registration to participate.
VIRTUAL PARENT PROGRAM: JANUARY 22, 2024
"Grounding Parents: The Benefits of Mindfulness & Self-Care" will be virtually presenting to Livingston Public School parents on Monday, January 22nd at 7PM. This workshop will focus on supporting parents' need to regulate their own emotions and thoughts in order to support their children, effective communication for parents to their children i.e.listening for understanding, and managing your own plate as a parent in order to assist your children in doing the same.
LISTEN TO CHILDREN PROGRAM
LPS partners with Jewish Family Services of MetroWest for the Listen to Children Program. This is a great program where students are able to have additional time connecting and talking with a trusted and caring adult, during the school day, at their school.
Parents are encouraged to contact your child's School Counselor if you are interested in your child participating in the Listen to Children program or to learn more information.
PARENT CONCERNS • LOCKDOWN TIPS • EMERGENCY TEXTS
PARENT CONCERNS
Livingston Public Schools strives to respond to concerns and/or questions as quickly and effectively as possible. In a school system, as in any organization, the “chain of command” refers to communication levels of authority in the school district. Please use the link below to determine who can best solve any concerns or questions that may arise.
SCHOOL LOCKDOWN TIPS
EMERGENCY TEXT MESSAGES
LOOK FOR 54968 OR 60680!
Please be aware that text messages that are sent from LPS will be sent from short code 60680 for non-emergency messages, and 54968 or 60680 for emergency messages. This is to ensure timely delivery based on code traffic.We wanted to remind everyone so that LPS community members do not inadvertently block or unsubscribe from future school messages!
COMMUNICATION TOOLS • SUICIDE LIFELINE • MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT
STAY CONNECTED
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.
988 SUICIDE & CRISIS LIFELINE
The 988 line operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for calls, texts, and chat. Learn more about the new nationwide 3-digit dialing code for crisis and suicide prevention.
MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT
LPS students, staff members, and their families can use Care Solace to quickly find verified mental health, behavioral health, and substance use treatment options matched to their needs, regardless of circumstances. Care Solace’s team is available 24/7/365 and can support you in any language. This is a FREE and CONFIDENTIAL service provided by LPS. Learn more about Care Solace.
EQUITY AUDIT TIMELINE
Livingston Public Schools’ Equity Goal seeks to improve the culture and community with LPS by enhancing inclusiveness, cultural awareness, anti-racism, and acceptance of individual differences through mandated curricular programming, extracurricular programming, and district operations.
- READ: Equity Audit Report
- WATCH: LPS Equity Audit Presentation (12.5.23)
- The district's Equity Audit timeline is shown below.
JOIN YOUR SCHOOL'S EQUITY TEAM!
If you are interested in learning more about and/or joining the Equity Team at your child's school, please visit one of the following pages for more information:
HELP WANTED: PLAYGROUND AIDES
Livingston Public Schools is looking to hire playground aides. Those who are interested should download and complete the application by clicking below, or stop by the Central Office at 11 Foxcroft Drive to pick up an application!
TOP 5 WAYS COACHES BRING THE MAGIC TO EDTECH
A big shout out to our tech coaches Lisa LeBlanc and Lori Perez who wrote this article for Vivi.io!
READ: Top 5 Ways Coaches Bring The Magic to Edtech
#SimplyTheBestLPS!
STAFF NEWS: FOLLOW US!
EMPLOYMENT
COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARD
LIVINGSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY
The Livingston Public Library has something for everyone! Learn more about the library HERE.
LHS SEEKS SCHOLARSHIP SPONSORS
Livingston High School sponsors an annual scholarship program for graduating seniors. Each spring, LHS hosts an event to present these scholarships and recognize the accomplishments of deserving high school seniors.
LHS is currently seeking local sponsors, including businesses, organizations and families, who wish to offer scholarships this school year.
"For many years, we have formed partnerships with various local organizations and families, who are willing to provide students with monetary awards to assist in the funding of their post-secondary plans. These generous awards are greatly appreciated by students and parents and your generosity will substantially and positively impact the lives of our students," said Sinéad Crews, Director of School Counseling for Livingston Public Schools
Those who are interested in partnering to offer a scholarship through the LHS program, should reach out to Sinéad Crews, at 973-535-8000 ext 8137 or SCrews@livingston.org.
LPS Spotlight
2023-2024 School Year / No. 12
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.