EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP SCHOOL DISTRICT
Central Office Communications: Week of May 3, 2020
OUR CURRENT REALITY
Week 7 of virtual learning and we continue to deliver education, food services, and social-emotional support to our students and parents. Our students are our most precious asset and we will work to serve their needs in any way possible. As we enter the month of May, we will be finalizing our plans for end of the year activities. Our main focus is on the culminating events for seniors and 8th grade students, including prom, award ceremonies, and graduation. When plans are finalized, they will be shared with our school community. Currently we are in the process of rolling out signage to honor students and student-athletes and to show #EHTPride and #EHTStrong.
This week is Teacher Appreciation Week and I would like to applaud our teachers for their extraordinary efforts in teaching students, especially in this virtual environment. I express my gratitude today, and every day, for the passion and persistence that our teachers display in creating lessons, taking professional development courses to learn more about virtual teaching tools, meeting live with students in the virtual classrooms, following up with students to provide interventions in Small Group Instruction sessions, and communicating with parents regarding student progress. Our teachers certainly make all of this look easier than it is! This leads me to sharing our progress monitoring initiative. It is my mission to make sure that we as a district are in tune with the skills and standards that are being taught and achieved by our students. Over the next month and a half, we will continue to monitor student achievement with the goal of knowing at the end of the school year, the status of student learning and accomplishment. We will know what skills and standards a student has mastered and/or needs to master. Having data on student progress will provide us the information needed to create a starting point in September for teaching and learning. Be confident that we have a process in place, therefore it is very important to be sure that your child is participating in virtual learning. We acknowledge that virtual learning can be difficult at times and we welcome communication on what more can be done for your child in order to help us know how to service and meet each child where he/she is in the future.
The 2020-21 school budget was passed by the Board of Education. This balanced budget is aligned to the Strategic Plan, District Learning Goals, approved by the Atlantic County Office of Education, and meets the needs of the stakeholders that were shared in the numerous town hall meetings. All of this was accomplished while staying at, and not exceeding, the allotted capped amount. While a large percentage of this budget contains costs to keep us functioning everyday, it does provide for full day kindergarten, something the school district has never had. While our teachers do their best in providing education to kindergarten students in the half day setting, we all agree it is not enough time for students to learn and grow. We have seen the deficits in the first grade year where interventions are needed to catch students up academically and socially. Please know that many discussions took place about the current situation around us, and like most surrounding school districts at this time we understand the community needs. I firmly believe we also have an obligation to protect our students and ensure to the greatest extent possible a consistent and safe educational environment for them.
In closing, please join me in appreciating all of our teachers! Let us pay homage to these heroes who educate our students. They are not only equipped with knowledge and talent, they are also equipped with love, support, patience, innovation, leadership, inspiration- I could go on and on, but I think we all agree that Teachers play an integral part in shaping lives!
I am more than grateful for the outstanding educators in the Egg Harbor Township School District! Their commitment to Embracing, Engaging and Educating students is beyond my dreams, and brings a proud smile to my face every day!!!
THANK YOU TEACHERS FOR ALL THAT YOU DO! #EHTPRide #EHTStrong
-Dr. Gruccio
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT
We're Open for VIRTUAL LEARNING
Virtual Learning
Grading UPDATE
PK-3
- March 17th – March 31st : Work assigned virtually or through hard copies for this time period will not be assessed/graded for correctness. Rather, this work will be used as part of the classwork/participation grade. For students who were unable to submit this work due to hardship or other circumstances, please contact the classroom teacher for guidance.
- April 1 st – TBD: ○ Trimester 3 dates will remain the same ○ Interim grades will be posted to the Parent Portal May 6th ○ Students will continue to be assessed on Standards for Trimester 3.
- March 17th – March 31st : Work assigned virtually or through hard copies for this time period will not be assessed/graded for correctness. Rather, this work will be used as part of the classwork/participation grade. For students who were unable to submit this work due to hardship or other circumstances, please contact the classroom teacher for guidance.
- April 1st – TBD: ○ Trimester 3 dates will remain the same ○ Interim grades will be posted to the Parent Portal May 6th ○ Students will be assessed on Standards only. Percentage grades will not be reported for Trimester 3.
- March 17th – March 31st: Work assigned virtually or through hard copies for this time period will not be assessed/graded for correctness. This work will be used as part of the classwork/participation grade. For students who were unable to submit this work due to hardship or other circumstances, please contact the classroom teacher for guidance.
- April 1st – TBD: ○ Marking periods 3 & 4 will be combined, resulting in a total of 3 marking periods for the year. ○ Interim grades will be posted to the Parent Portal on April 30th ○ 6th Grade Related Arts Courses are remaining with their MP 3 teacher/course for the remainder of the school year
TechTogether Boston Hackathon WINNERS!
Miller School's ASPIRE Program Goes "Virtual"
Miller Families: During this unprecedented time we are thinking of you and your ASPIRE students and have transitioned to a “virtual” after school program that incorporates both fun and learning.
ASPIRE Virtual Cycle 3 is our way of sharing with your students engaging activities while still socializing with friends and staff in a safe way. Our plan is to offer fun activities, games and challenges after the virtual school day is over. Some of the classes include opportunities for parents and siblings as well, ie. Google for Parents and American Sign Language for Families. Participation is not mandatory, however we hope that our ASPIRE friends are eager to see each other again.
We hope that you are staying safe and healthy. Please know that we miss you all and cannot wait to see you in our virtual ASPIRE classroom. For more information please email our Director and her staff at enrichment@k12.nj.us
VIRTUAL COLLEGE EXPLORATION
Students must register for individual sessions and space is limited!
CLIMATE & CULTURE
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK!
SOCIAL EMOTIONAL AND MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT & RESOURCES
As time passes, it can become difficult staying at home day in and day out. Some days may be easier than others in dealing with this national pandemic amongst other issues. Please know that our guidance counselors, social workers, student assistance counselors, school nurses, and our High School Teen Center serve as available resources daily to assist with any concerns, fears, and/or anxieties. Our district website and school websites provide contact information or call 646-7911 x 1001.
Atlantic County Division of Public Health: “The Source” (linked)
Student resource card (Spanish/English)
Teacher Made Videos
National Principal's Day was Friday, May 1st
Thank you for being committed educational leaders who work hard every day to support and guide teachers, staff, students, and parents. Your efforts contribute to the outstanding learning climates that are present in each of our schools. We appreciate your dedication to our district mission and student learning goals ~ without you they would not be real! Thank you for your service and for being team players. We miss you and hope to see you soon!
COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS
5/4/20: Meal Distribution Information
Meal Distribution Plan UPDATE: For questions and concerns, please contact 609-383-1464 or beckt@eht.k12.nj.us.
Our EHT Food Service Program will be providing free breakfast and lunch for all eligible free and reduced students on Mondays ONLY. We will be distributing food on Mondays which will include 5 days of breakfast and lunch. In order to reach as many of our EHT families as possible, we are also now providing DELIVERY to several areas in the township. Please access all the images in this post to view the meal distribution stops and times. Additionally, the PICK-UP locations at Davenport, Alder and High School will remain open from 7am – 10 am and will also be providing 5 days of meals on Monday only.
ACTUALIZACIÓN del Plan de Distribución de Comidas: Empezando mañana, el programa de servicio alimenticio en EHT ahora proporcionará desayuno y almuerzo gratis para todos los niños que califiquen solamente los lunes. Entregaremos la comida los lunes, solamente. Cada caja incluirá el desayuno y el almuerzo por 5 días. Para poder llegar al número máximo de nuestras familias de EHT, entregaremos las cajas de comida en varias áreas del municipio. Favor de consultar su correo electrónico y / o visite el sitio web del Distrito y las redes sociales de @EHTNJSchools para saber donde estan las paradas y el horario de distribución de comidas. Además, los lugares de recogida en la acera estarán abiertos solo los lunes en Davenport, Alder y la High School de 7 am a 10 am y también proporcionarán 5 días de comidas.
Free & Reduced Meal Program Information
Atlantic County Food Bank Resources
Every Hand Together: Pursuing Public Health
PPH: Child Abuse Prevention Series with Raymond Royster of ACPO (linked and below).
Virtual Board of Education Meetings
The Egg Harbor Township Board of Education Budget Hearing and Regular Meeting are now available online at the following LINK!
The next Board of Education Meeting WORK SESSION is Tuesday, May 12, 2020.
#EHTStrong
The Egg Harbor Township School District joins EHT Parks and Recreation, and the Mayors Wellness Campaign in encouraging the decorating of your home/property with #EHTPride! Show off your EHT gear, jersey, sweatshirt, and/or team colors to show community pride for Egg Harbor Township! Take a picture of your display and post it to the event page using the #EHTStrong hashtag. Get your neighbors, friends, and family involved!
We are EHT!
ATHLETICS
Message to our Student Athletes, FPA students and Members of Extracurricular Clubs:
I know you are missing your coaches and advisors and they are missing you too! Our schools are quiet and solemn without you there exhibiting your skills and talents. The time that you put in beyond the normal school day practicing, performing, and competing is not only appreciated, but what makes us whole! You are #EHTPride! I am following your virtual workouts and practices and can see that you are committed to working hard. I can also easily sense that you and your coaches/advisors have faith that we will be back to school soon. I too hope for that day when you are all back performing, when cheering fans can be heard throughout the campus, and you are feeling a sense of pride and the thrill of victory!
I encourage you to be positive and continue to work hard in perfecting your skill; your talent is your trademark. Never give up, for your efforts will make you stronger and more resilient.
Go Eagles! #EHTStrong
-Dr. Gruccio, Superintendent
“For Tomorrow belongs to people who prepare for Today.” African Proverb
NJSIAA:
April 16, 2020 Updated NJSIAA Statement
April 10, 2020 Update on Spring Sports Schedule
NCAA:
- If you are a student athlete you can visit the following NCAA COVID-19 Resource page
- NCAA Social Series: “Focusing on Mental Health”
- NCAA Eligibility Center COVID-19 Response FAQ Addendum (linked)
Pete Lambert Inducted into South Jersey Soccer Hall of Fame:
WEEKLY DIGITAL NEWSLETTERS
Each week our principals share an update on what is happening in their respective schools. Check out the Weekly Digital Newsletters linked below.
Week of April 26, 2020
ABOUT US
EMBRACE-ENGAGE-EDUCATE
Website: www.eht.k12.nj.us
Location: 13 Swift Drive, Egg Harbor Township, NJ, USA
Phone: 609-646-7911
Facebook: www.facebook.com/EHTNJSchools/
Twitter: @EHTNJSchools