MTSD Parent Newsletter
October 22, 2018
Message from the Superintendent's Office
Dear MTSD Community,
The district is off to an impressive start for 2018-19 school year. When I walk the halls of our schools and stop in various classrooms, it's easy to see that from PreK up to sixth graders, your children are engaged and motivated. Their smiles are infectious. Their desire to learn is evident. It's easy to see we all have a lot to be proud of and excited about!
Since I began my education career, I have always believed that all children can learn. The issue is that children learn in as many different ways as there are different styles of learning. They also learn at their own pace. It is the responsibility of the educational system to design programs that meet the needs of all children. Technology has widened our reach and children will live in a world dramatically different than one we might even imagine.
Now, I'm not saying our district is perfect. Certainly, like any forward-moving ,"progressive" school district, we must regularly make adjustments to ensure our students always receive the finest possible education. So, we'll continue to make changes as necessary but, at the very least, we know we're getting started from a position of strength.
Your children will become more actively involved in their learning as they begin to move away from the more passive methods of old mass production models. We have high levels of expectations for our students. We expect them to successfully master basic skills and to apply those skills in solving problems. We expect them to use and apply technology in a variety of ways to enhance their educational experience. Finally, we expect our students to be successful lifelong learners who appreciate the diversity that surrounds them in school, in their community and around the world.
Your children may be the future, but we are clearly the vehicle that will be needed to help them get there. I know we will be successful in ensuring each child reaches their potential in a supportive environment. I'm personally committed to ensuring Mansfield Townships School District continues to create successful lifelong learners with every passing week, month, and year!
We will be sending a parent newsletter on the 15th of every other month. Look for our next publication December 15, 2018.
Take a breath and enjoy the fall foliage.
~Tiffany J. Moutis
2018-2019 Strategic Plan: Where are we going?
Goal 1:
- 5 year plan for new technology
- Strengthen enrichment programs
- Explore Innovative District-Wide STEM programs
- Create PLC meetings for staff
- Offering More Differentiated High Quality PD
- Communicate Grade Level Topics
- Exploring Google Classroom
- Develop a framework for risk taking, critical thinking and problem solving
- Integrate 1:1 lessons at home
- Offer Google Trainings
- Create opportunities for students to participate in competitions
- Streamlining communications - Use of Google Calendar
Goal 2: Facilities
- Upgrade building LED fixtures
- Upgrade the energy management at JHES
- Upgrade building automatization systems at JHES & MTES
- Install emergency generator at JHES
- District network capability for wireless classroom devices
- Increase the ability for staff to communicate during an emergency event.
- MTPD co-facilitate the annual Crisis Training with staff
- Implement best practices of security throughout the district
- Reassess playground equipment; remove and add equipment as needed
- Review visitor process
Goal 3: Developing the Whole Child
- Grade 2 and 6 students meet Guidance Counselor every marking period
- Develop MTES halls/lobby committee
Goal 4: Culture & Diversity
- Conduct survey for community
- Create peer schedule
- Revise interview committee to include a parent
- Research implementing digital information to community
- Lessen paper being sent home
- Be aware of posting the various ethnicities on our social media
- Publicly celebrate an administrator, teacher and students' success in effort to build culture
- Design TV studio
- Advertise job vacancies on NJHire, Jobspot and NJschooljobs.com
- Incorporate holidays in lesson plans
- No homework to be assigned on holidays
- Develop meetings for holidays
- No after-school meetings on holidays
Curriculum Corner
Science
We are very excited to dig into the Next Generation Science Standards with our new program, Science Dimensions. HMH Science Dimensions puts students in charge of their learning and enables teachers to seamlessly guide their students on this new instructional path. Teachers guide students to learn through exploration, analysis, application, and explanation—in short, to think like scientists.
Basic Skills Intervention
Writing Rubrics
Parent Curriculum Meeting
From The Principal's Desk
MTES
It's hard to believe that the first month of school has come to a close. I'd like to thank everyone for such a great opening to the school year. The pride that you take in your work is second to none. It brings me great pride, and I hope for you as well, when I tell people I am part of the Mansfield Township School District.
Promethean Board Update
With that I plan to look into the feasibility of purchasing one in the future.
Safety Patrol
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ArOL5sMXKQZQ5ANvfjKxDYw0p4El4-LYxq2gX6UPMfI/edit?usp=sharing
Classroom observations
E-Color Printer
JHES
Dear Partners in Learning,
It's hard to believe October is here already! Our mornings have been colder, and today's weather shows that winter is just around the corner!
I truly enjoyed meeting many parents at Back to School Night and appreciate the great attendance and support. I hope you found the evening to be informative and valuable.
We began the month of October by celebrating the Kid of Character trait: RESPECT. The first week of October is Respect Week at all NJ schools. Mrs. Katz, with the help of Mrs. Strickland and the entire School Safety Team, arranged for many fun activities that center around this very important character trait. Our theme this year is, "Walk a Mile in Someone Else's Shoes." We will culminate the week's activities with a school Respect Walk on Thursday. Beginning this week, we are collecting shoes for Souls4Soles. Please donate new or gently used shoes between Oct 1st-16th.
October has a number of special events and school closings. Although the calendar on our website has all of the dates, here are a few highlights:
October 5th and 8th- No School for students; Teacher In-Service
October 9th- Board of Education Meeting
October 10th- Lifetouch Picture Day
October 12th- Book Fair Blast Off
October 26th- Whole School Morning Meeting
October 31st- Fall Party and Parade; 9:30 Parade, 9:45 Parties (Room parents only)
Thank you for all of your support of John Hydock Elementary School. You can e-mail (scullari@mansfieldschool.com) or call me at 609-298-0308, should you have any questions, concerns, or suggestions. Have a great October!
Kids of Character Winners
Congratulations to the following students for winning our Kid of Character Award for the month of September. These students were spotted showing the character trait of Friendship.
Elise Sene
Zurain Rehman
Victoria Kush
Lahna Forde
Grayson Hollander
Brody Newborn
Kylee Lutz
Aidan Cular
Olivia Pribila
Lily Cular
Kayla Neylan
Connor Adams
Genevieve Morro
Anna Petrella
Ediz Gungor
Speaking Of Outside the Box.....
Paw-Some Charm Awards!
We have begun our Paw-Some Charm incentive at JHES! Students have all received a bracelet with one paw charm to start off. Bracelets are to be kept on student's backpacks. Students can earn Paw-Some charms for exceptional behavior in specials, for showing outstanding progress in math or reading, for going above and beyond to be kind, or for special events such as losing a tooth in school or celebrating a birthday. You may have noticed these charms on your child's backpack already. The students are very motivated and excited about earning these charms!
Mindfulness in the Classroom
Mindful Mondays Begin at JHES!
What's Happening at JHES?
Chorus Club
Green Team Meeting #1
We will continue on our journey towards becoming a Sustainable NJ certified school!
Keep Informed!
Keep Informed!
Tweet all your great things!
Want something shared?
Email: tmoutis@mansfieldschool.com
Website: www.mansfieldschool.com
Location: 200 Mansfield Road East, NJ, United States
Phone: 609-298-2037
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mansfield-School-District-1645020699105396/
Twitter: @mtes_jhes