November 2017

A monthly e-newsletter to keep you connected to your District

A NOTE FROM THE BOARD PRESIDENT

November 2017 Letter from BOE President

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DECEMBER 12, 2017 REFERENDUM: VOTER EDUCATION UPDATE

Ballot Proposal

With the referendum vote less than two weeks away, here's a preview of the sample ballot, final referendum proposal and explanatory statement to appear on the special election ballot. Click here for a more detailed description.

In case you were unable to attend any of the community and school-based presentations, click on the video above to see what you missed. Be sure to rewind, pause, and play the video as necessary so you don't miss any of the information provided.

On December 12, residents will be asked to vote on a bond amount equivalent to the total cost of the expansion project (approximately $24 million). The reason for this is so the district can maximize the amount of debt service aid it can receive from the State. When the aid is combined with the district's existing capital reserve funds, the total amount of the bond will be reduced to about $8 million to be paid off over the next 20 years. The annual and monthly tax impact for the two towns is illustrated in the table below.

NOVEMBER BOARD MEETING HIGHLIGHTS

The November 16 Board of Education meeting was filled once more with celebrations of student and staff achievements as we honored "Excellence in Education" displayed in its many forms.

In addition, members of our Middle School Leadership Team including, Shelley LaForgia, Ken Russo, Diane Carroll, Christine McGovern, and Barry Albert, presented an overview of the current state and future possibilities of Middle Level Education in WRSD.

Click the links to view the AGENDA and ADDENDUM for the November 16, 2017 meeting.

Middle Level Education.pdf

WRMS and Jr/Sr High School students of the month: Jr/Sr High School: Gabriella Dunay and Emily Gorham |Middle School: Angelia Zervoudia and Ariana Gaub

Terrel H. Bell Award for Outstanding School Leadership: Michael Fiorello, Principal of Berkeley Elementary School

NJSIAA Service Award: Daniel Vivino, Jr./Sr. High School Asst. Principal & Director of Athletics

High School STEAMTank Competition Team: Back Row: Mrs. Adelyn Gann, Mr. Purvik Patel Middle Row: Alexander Chang, Tyler Kanter, Michael Giordano Front Row: Benjamin Bross, Sri Leela Sattenapalli, Luis Zuniga, Matthew Hetherington

NJCSS Social Studies Teacher of the Year Award: Mary-Elizabeth Wren, Jr./Sr. High School Psychology Teacher

In addition to the recently adopted Board Policies listed below, any policies currently under review by the Board can found here and ALL final policies and regulations can be found on the district website under the Board of Education drop down menu.

Student Representatives Report

Each month at our public meeting of the Board of Education, our HS student representatives, Erik Kopp and Sydney Lewis, report out on the exciting news and activity taking place at our Jr/Sr High School. Here's what they reported this month.

11.16.17

Click here to view an archive of the 2017-18 student representative reports from the Jr/Sr High School.

Pre-Registration Opens December 1, 2017

The Westwood Regional School District will begin online kindergarten pre-registration for the 2018-2019 school year on Friday, December 1, 2017. The online registration is a pre-registration only, and students will not be considered enrolled until parents/guardians submit the required information during in-person registration in January 2018.

A child residing in the Borough of Westwood or Township of Washington who will be five (5) years old on or before October 1, 2018 is eligible to enter kindergarten. There are no exceptions to this date. To help facilitate your child’s registration, please follow this process:

  1. Beginning December 1, 2017 go to the district’s website at www.wwrsd.org > Find It Fast> 2018-2019 Incoming Kindergarten.
  2. Complete the process, review important registration procedures, and download the required forms. Registration packets may also be picked up at the Board of Education office located in the Jr./Sr. High School, 701 Ridgewood Road, Township of Washington, N.J.

If you require further assistance, please send an email to kindergarten.registration@wwrsd.org. We look forward to having your child join us in the Westwood Regional School District!

Parent/Guardian Surveys for G&T and Social Studies

We are in the process of surveying parents/guardians on our Gifted and Talented programming and our K-12 Social Studies Curriculum. Please take a moment to complete these surveys by December 15, 2017. Your input is valued and appreciated. It will help shape our future programming.

Each month we highlight a member(s) of our school district staff who demonstrate a commitment to our motto "Excellence in Education". This month we are pleased to present ...

Berkeley Elementary School

Berkeley community embraces its diversity through the authentic educational opportunities that allow its students to learn and grow from one another. Exemplary teachers provide high standards of learning for all of their students and utilize best teaching practices to ensure each student reaches their highest individual academic excellence. This year, Berkeley’s theme -- We all fit together -- highlights how every member of our staff and community work together to help students reach their highest potentials. Excellence in Education is felt in many ways within Berkeley’s students, staff, and families. Congratulations, once again, on being recognized as a 2017 National Blue Ribbon School.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

School Calendar 2017-18.pdf

DECEMBER

  • 12: Referendum Vote
  • 14: Board of Education Meeting
  • 25-29: District Closed

JANUARY

  • 1: District Closed
  • 4: Board of Education Annual Organizational Meeting
  • 15: Schools Closed for Students (Staff Professional Development)
  • 18: Board of Education Mid-Year Personnel Meeting