As the nights become cooler and shorter, summer begins to say its farewells.
The Haddonfield School District has been active all summer to provide a welcoming atmosphere as students again shuffle through the doors, to their lockers and, ultimately, to their classrooms.
Officials from each of the district’s schools have answered a few questions from The Sun about the upcoming school year as parents gear up to send their youngsters back to school.
Are there any schedule changes (buses, school days, etc.) in the new school year?
Last January, the schedule was altered to eliminate homeroom and open school at 7:57 a.m. rather than 7:45 a.m. This modification will continue this year at Haddonfield Memorial High School.
Are there any curriculum changes?
All elementary schools will be implementing the new language arts program, Journeys. Journeys is a comprehensive reading/language arts program for all students in kindergarten through fifth-grade that is designed to meet the full range of the Common Core State Standards and the Response to Instruction model supporting students in being successful. Journeys features an explicit, systematic instructional design that is based on the research and best practices.
While there are no new curriculum initiatives at the high school this year, we were involved in two highly successful pilot programs this summer. The first was an online Financial Literacy course. This course will be offered in the spring. The second was a Pre-Engineering course in collaboration with Drexel University. The result of this successful course will see this course introduced into the curriculum at Haddonfield Memorial High School in the 2013–14 school year. Also, we are implementing new Common Core Standards in Language Arts Literacy and Math. We are also conducting a comprehensive review in World Language.
Were improvements made to school facilities over the summer?
The follow maintenance work can be seen happening at Haddonfield Memorial High School this summer: The custodial crew is making the building ready for the opening of school; A team of masons is repairing building damage attributed to waster and age in the courtyard; The auditorium is undergoing to significant improvements thanks to efforts from the BOE and the Lights, Camera, Action Committee; The entire auditorium is being painted; A new sound system is being installed; Several roof repairs are being completed including the repair and repainting of the cupola; The old wrestling room in the B wing is being remodeled and converted into a Dance Studio; The Library will go through significant changes through an extensive remodel and modernization.
How can parents become more involved in the educational process?
At Central Elementary, parents are always welcome as partners in the educational process. They assist in staff hiring and are actively involved in decision-making through the Principal’s Advisory Committee. Parents are encouraged to become actively involved in the PTA. The PTA offers many ways for parents to be involved during and after school hours. PTA committees provide a plethora of services and resources to supplement the educational program at Central School. Every year, Central School hosts several activities and events such as the Fashion Show, Ice Cream Social, Skating Party, Spaghetti/Bingo Night and Family Fun Night. Each year, parents are invited into our classroom for Parent Visitation, giving parents the opportunity to observe the learning environment.
At Elizabeth Haddon, parents are always welcome as partners in the educational process by assisting in the staffing process, volunteering within the classrooms, serving on school based committees such as the Principal’s Advisory Committee, and volunteering to serve on a variety of the Elizabeth Haddon PTA committees who have provide numerous services and resources to supplement the educational program.
There are many opportunities for parents to be involved at J.F. Tatem School. We have a very active PTA that works collaboratively with our teachers to enhance our children’s school experience. Some new initiatives that need parent support include our New Family Welcoming Program, a community garden project and a school-based publishing program. Any parents who would like to help out should contact Tatem’s principal, Karen Schultz at kschultz@haddonfield.k12.nj.us or the PTA president, Cindy Gaffney at abbottgaffney@comcast.net.
Parents are welcome to join the PTA and Principal’s Advisory Committee to be involved in the educational and decision-making processes at the middle school.
To be involved at the high school level, monitor their work, be positive and support the child’s efforts and accomplishments. Make school a priority topic of conversation, but balance it with other important things for young people. There are a lot of opportunities for parents to get involved in the PTA, booster clubs and activities. More information will be available at Back to School Night.
What initiatives, including environmental, are taking place at the schools?
At Central School, we strive to provide all students with an individualized learning experience. We want each student to grow and learn as critical thinker, one who is prepared for the 21st century and the digital world. This year, we will implement a character education program to create a safe, inclusive and nurturing environment for our students.
Our teachers continue to value critical thinking and digital learning in the classroom.
Central School has an active Environmental Club. The Central School vegetable garden and plant/flower garden provides valuable learning experiences for our students. A rain garden was installed at Central/Middle School entrance.
The elementary schools will be partnering with the Haddonfield community as they celebrate the Tricentennial in 2013.
One primary initiative at Elizabeth Haddon for the 2012–13 school year is to integrate the use of Smart Board technology within instruction in every general education classroom. Smart Boards offer multiple ways for students to express themselves, interact with activities and comprehend concepts. Instruction can be tailored to the needs of each student, where classrooms become inclusive learning environments. By holding numerous fundraising activities the Elizabeth Haddon PTA generously purchased the new Smart Boards for the classrooms.
Another initiative is the continued growth and development of the school garden, which is used to teach students about healthy eating choices by harvesting fresh vegetables that are served during the student lunches. Other plants and flowers in the garden contribute to the understanding of ecology and the interactions between plants and insects.
At Tatem Elementary, we continue to look for ways to engage and inspire today’s digital learners. This year we have added three new Smart Boards, three Apple TV’s and an iPad cart as part of the district technology vision.
The initiatives at the high school have been described above.
In your opinion, what is the number one needed school supply?
Central Elementary: Each year, we look closely at the needs of the school and our students. The school and PTA work as a team to provide the necessary learning tools and supplies for our students.
Elizabeth Haddon: Careful budgeting and the expending of available funds provide adequate supplies for the school. Additionally, the PTA provides a wealth of resources to support the efforts of teachers and staff.
Tatem Elementary: The number one needed school supply right now is the kids! Our building is empty and it just doesn’t feel right. We can’t wait to welcome back our students and begin an exciting year of learning.
Middle School: Flash drives
High School: Flash drives
What else should parents know about the Haddonfield School District as the school year begins?
Central Elementary: I am so excited to be part of the Central School community. I know it is going to be a great year of learning and growing! I look forward to building trusting relationships with students, families, teachers and community members.
Central School’s Ice Cream Social will be held on Sept. 7 at 6:30 p.m. Central School will hold a “Ringing of the Bell” ceremony to welcome back students, families and teachers on Sept. 10 at 8:10 a.m. on the blacktop behind Central/Middle School. PM Kindergarten’s ceremony will take place on Sept. 10 at 12:15 p.m. The first PTA meeting will be held on Sept. 12 at 7:30 p.m. in the Library. We welcome all parents to Back to School Night on Sept. 19 at 6:15 p.m.
The faculty and staff at Elizabeth Haddon welcome the return of our students and look forward to another very successful and prosperous school year. Our students will be welcomed back on the first day of school in grand tradition with our “Ringing of the Bell” Opening Ceremony replete with banner and balloons. Our PTA continues the gala festivities by hosting an “Ice Cream Social” at 6 p.m. that evening for all Haddon families, old and new, to have an opportunity to meet others and feel part of the school community. This is a great time to re-establish friendships, share summer adventures, and come together as a school community to support our students’ growth and love of learning.
The faculty and staff at the middle school welcome the return of our students. We will continue focusing on the students’ needs, abilities, interests and learning styles with our teachers as facilitators of learning. We will continue to expand expertise in differentiated instruction, focusing on how we teach, what we teach and evidence of learning. We are continuing with our initiative of involving Critical Thinking and 21st Century Learning. Our teachers will engage students to think critically by expanding their design of engaging and reflective instructional tasks.
The district was awarded a grant by the State in excess of 85K to implement a new teacher evaluation system at the high school. More information can be found at http://www.nj.gov/education/EE4NJ/.
Also, the message we would like to send is that we as a school and a staff look forward to the upcoming school year. Our thriving partnership of student, parent, and educator will help to place the students of Haddonfield Memorial High School in a situation that encourages growth and success.
A message from Superintendent Dr. Richard Perry
This upcoming 2012–13 school year, Haddonfield School District is pursuing several dynamic, innovative initiatives and programs. Some of these include being chosen by the State Department of Education to be one of only 10 school districts in the state to participate in the new teacher evaluation program called EE4NJ. This program will enhance teaching and learning and will set the foundation for educational excellence well into the 21st century in order to effectively support students’ education in a digital age and competitive world market.
In addition to the teacher evaluation program, the school district is engaged in implementing technology initiatives including iPad initiatives at the middle school and fifth-grade elementary school levels, SMART technology instruction at all the elementary schools, and online courses and collaborative learning, via technology, at the high school. The partnership with Drexel University has also expanded to include a summer pre-engineering program that focuses on project-based learning and prepares students to become future engineers. Critical Thinking is also a continual primary focus along with digital and student collaborative learning at all grade levels. Other initiatives include implementing a new dynamic language arts program in all elementary schools along with adopting Common Core Standards in language arts literacy and mathematics and expanding advanced curricular programs at the middle and high schools. The district’s world language program is also being reviewed.
Regarding capital projects, the district spent $1.4 million in maintenance and repairs to all school buildings in 2011–12 school year and allocated $342,750 for the 2012–13 school year including roofing, infrastructure repair and upgrades, and structural repair. One of the capital projects is the renovation to the high school’s auditorium involving installing a new sound system and painting project, due to the generous efforts of Lights, Camera, Action, that raised funds to make this possible. In addition to initiatives and additional programs, the district welcomes several excellent administrators to new positions: Michael Wilson, Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning, Dawn Leary, Business Administrator, Chuck Klaus, HMHS Principal, Shannon Simkus, Central School Principal, and Tracy Matozzo, HMHS Dean of Students.
