Dear Parents and Guardians:

I hope that you are having a great start to the week. I noticed the leaves on the trees beginning to change colors and the air is rather crisp at night. Fall is certainly on our doorsteps. It's truly my favorite season.

As you know, we have been implementing our COVID testing procedures. For the past two weeks, we have had 1 staff COVID case found in our testing program. We currently have two PK student COVID cases. As a result of the data, we will be dropping our Middle and High School COVID testing percentage down from all unvaccinated eligible students to 15% for this week's testing program. We will continue to test 5% of the K-6 population and all of our unvaccinated staff members. I will report out this week's test results as soon as the data becomes available. My hope is that our numbers will stay low and that we can shift our entire student testing program to a randomized 5% pool.

This Sunday, October 3rd, Chartwells Food Service will be conducting a simulated lunch experience for all parents and guardians of PK-5 students in each of our elementary schools. Off site preschool locations have been given an elementary school to go to for this simulation. Be sure to fill out the RSVP when you receive the invite from your school's principal or PK provider.

I have had a few parents ask about dates for our school plays, district musical and concerts. As you know, last year we did everything via a remote platform. This year, we will watch the data closely in order to determine if we are able to host these performances in a live venue. In the meantime, the dates are as follows:

High School Play: "12 Angry Jurors"

• November 19th at 7pm
• November 20th at 2pm & 7pm
• November 21st at 2pm

Middle School Play "Teen"

• February 4th at 7pm
• February 5th at 2pm
• February 6th at 2pm

District Wide Musical "Matilda"

• May 20th at 7pm
• May 21st at 2pm
• May 22nd at 2pm

Winter Concerts

• December 15th (Evening Time TBD) District Elementary
• December 22nd (Evening Time TBD) Middle & High School

Spring Concerts

• June 1st (Evening Time TBD) District Elementary
• June 8th (Evening Time TBD) Middle & High School

Our Family Math Night is back and will be better than ever. Please join us on Tuesday, October 19th from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on the High School Football Field for a fun-filled evening of math games and activities, informational sessions and dinner!

In closing, I want to thank all of you for your cooperation, patience and partnership. All three ingredients make for an incredible school district. I could not ask for a more committed collection of guardians and parents. You are truly amazing and I am honored to serve the Hoboken Public School District.

Sincerely,

Superintendent Johnson

It is no secret that STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) professionals are essential to success in the 21st century – the success of individuals. communities and nations. Hoboken Middle School is investing in a ground-breaking, physics-education program that will produce a pipeline of science-savvy students, teachers and future professionals. And, in a bold move to give their students the ability to compete successfully in the 21st century, they are the first school district in New Jersey to start physics education in middle school.

This fall, the Hoboken Public School District will begin using a pioneering program called Physics in a Box TM to bring 6th, 7th and 8th graders the kind of physics education that is commonplace in Europe and Asia. The program, which was developed by international experts in physics and education through a company called Physcira (Physical Science Research Associates), is used in more than 100 schools and districts nationwide. It provides everything needed to give students hands-on experience with physics concepts and provides year-round, weekly training for teachers. In the process, it injects fun into a subject that is often considered scary.

“Our goal is to place applied mathematics in the hands of students, as we know that students learn best by doing,” said Dr. Christine Johnson, superintendent of the Hoboken Public School District. “With leadership from Middle School Principal Anna Marra; Dr. Robin Baskinger, supervisor of Programs and Instruction; and participating science and math teachers, we are proud to take our science-education efforts to the highest international level.”

That means that Hoboken Middle School students will be taught physics as a separate discipline, which is rare in the United States. Three times per week, they will conduct experiments in fields such as mechanics, optics, and electricity and magnetism; see physics concepts come to life as they work on projects such as designing and building functioning microscopes, cameras, telescopes and radios; and they will see the connection between science, math and nature.

All this goes above and beyond current academic practice in the state and nation, but is mandatory in most European and Asian middle and high schools. “Hoboken Schools have made a courageous and far-reaching decision in adopting the highest standards in physics education,” said Dr. Anatoliy Glushchenko, professor of physics at the University of Colorado – Colorado Springs and Physcira founder.