September 2017

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

A NOTE FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT

Welcome to our first monthly edition of the new Cardinal Connection where we will keep you connected to district-wide news, events, and information.

For our inaugural edition, I am proud to announce to the school community that our very own Berkeley Elementary School was confirmed by the US Department of Education as a 2017 National Blue Ribbon School and recognized as an Exemplary High Performing School. This honor affirms the hard work of the entire school community in creating a safe and welcoming school where students master challenging and engaging content. Please join me in congratulating them on earning this prestigious award.

Click here to view the Berkeley Blue Ribbon School Profile.

DECEMBER 12, 2017 REFERENDUM: VOTER EDUCATION UPDATE

Our "Creating a True Middle School" information campaign is well underway with our initial stops at each of our Back to School Night. We will continue to offer you opportunities to find our more about this grand endeavor and ask questions at any one of our upcoming presentations to the community. If you wish to view our presentation schedule visit our Referendum Information Portal which can be found on the district and schools' websites. While visiting our online portal, you can also find:

  • RESEARCH: information regarding benefits of this endeavor to the community and elementary, middle, and high school students.
  • FUNDING & TAX IMPACT: The bottom line tax impact was finally unveiled
  • GALLERY: Renderings of our vision for a "True Middle School"

If you have any questions, feel free to speak with any member of the administration or Board of Education for answers.

Westwood Regional School District is only 1 of 2 districts in the State of New Jersey (and the only one in Bergen County) to operate a middle school with grades 6 and 7. A review of school district grade configurations available through the NJ Department of Educationreveals that the overwhelming majority of middle school configurations in NJ consists of grades 6, 7, & 8.

SEPTEMBER BOARD MEETING HIGHLIGHTS

During this month's meeting, the Board approved the 2017-18 District Goals and Board Goals. While the goals do not represent the only areas of focus for the school district this year, they do reflect some of our greatest priorities. Click here to view our goals.

During the meeting, the district presented their annual HIB Self-Assessment required under the Anti Bullying Bill of Rights. The overview was provided by Naomi Conklin, District Anti-Bullying Coordinator, Michael Corso, Assistant Principal Westwood Jr./Sr. High School, Vincent Aiello, Lead Counselor, and Sandra Massaro, Lead Counselor. The presentation reviewed the eight core elements associated with our review of our programs and practices in place to implement the HIB law.

Click here to view the agenda for the September 14, 2017 meeting.

ABR Grade Presentation 2017.pdf

Click here to view the presentation

No new Board policies were approved at this meeting; however, all district Policies and Regulations can be found online via a searchable database located on our website under the Board of Education menu item or by clicking here.

EDUCATION IN THE 21st CENTURY

In fulfillment of our core mission, "To provide excellence in education through rich and diverse learning opportunities, enabling students to exercise intelligent control of their future”, the Westwood Regional School District is committed to ensuring that all students in all schools are equipped with the skills needed to thrive in the 21st century. To that end, one of our goals for the year is to study and incorporate 21st Century Skills of collaboration, creativity, communication, and critical thinking (a.k.a. the 4 Cs) throughout all grade levels and content areas to help bring us closer to fulfilling our mission.

The video below offers a brief introduction to the 4 Cs so that you may begin to understand the role they will play in our students' educational experience.

On behalf of the Westwood School District and Board of Education, I would like to extend a warm welcome to our returning staff and to the new faces that will be joining our team for the 2017-2018 school year!

NEW TEACHERS

Joseph Carnevale (HS English), Peter DePeri (HS Math), Tracey DiLuzio HS Social Studies), Caitlin Fabrocini (MS Guidance) Counselor), Rebecca Fasano (HS PE/Health), Debbie, Gicas (Brookside-Gr1), Rachel Guyt, George Guidance Counselor), Nicole James (Brookside Guidance Counselor), Abigail Keehn (MS Math), Elizabeth Kraljic (George SpEd), Allison Matos-Esposito (Social Worker, SpScvs), Katherine McLaughlin (MS Social Studies), Erica Mosery (George-Gr4), Kelly Paolella (Brookside-Gr1), Melissa Peters (George SpEd), David Polgar (HS Physics), Nina Suri (HS Guidance Counselor), Kimberly Tadiello (MS Science), Kelly Trentham (Washington-Gr2), Nick Urbanovich (HS PE/Health)

SCHOOL & DISTRICT LEADERSHIP TEAM

Ray Gonzalez (Superintendent), Michael Fiorello (Berkeley Principal), Dan Vivino (HS AP, Athetics/PE/Health), Frank Connelly (HS Principal), Naomi Conklin (HR Manager), Shelley LaForgia (MS Principal), Jessenia Kan (Asst BA), Jill Mortimer (Asst Superintendent/C&I), Jessica Gluck (SpScvs Asst Director), Mike Rightmire (District Technology Coordinator), Keith Rosado (BA), Christopher Mello (HS AP, Family-Consumer Science/VPA), Ray Renshaw (SpScvs Director), Michael Corso (HS AP, Guidance/English), Victoria Hickey (George Principal), Heather Frank-Goffe (HS AP, Science/Math/Applied Tech/Business), Tom Conroy (Brookside Principal), Melissa Palianto (Washington Principal), Mike Kenduck (HS AP, ESL/SS/WL), Christina Scaduto (Elementary AP), Ken Russo (MS AP), Diane Carroll (MS AP), John Baumann (B&G Director (not pictured)

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

School Calendar 2017-18.pdf

OCTOBER

  • 9: Staff Professional Development (Schools Closed for Students)
  • 19: Board of Education Meeting
  • 23-24: Half-Days for PreK-5 Students (parents conferences)
  • 25: PreK-5 Evening Parent Conferences


NOVEMBER

  • 22: District Early Dismissal
  • 9-10: District Closed
  • 16: Board of Education Meeting