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

january 2020

PRESIDENT & VICE-PRESIDENT

Susan Swietkowski (President) and Stephen Kalish (VP)

ELECTED BOARD MEMBERS

Michelle Sembler, Roberta Hanlon, and Matthew Perrapato

School Board Recognition Month is an important way to thank current and former school board members for dedicating extraordinary amounts of time (without remuneration) and serving as the voice in setting goals on behalf of their communities. To find out more about what the Board of Education does, I encourage you to check out our Board of Education website and the Board FAQ.

january MEETING highlights

The January 2020 the Board of Education held two public meetings highlighted below:

January 2: At the annual reorganization meeting, the Board swore in its newly re-elected Board member Roberta Hanlon and newly elected Board members Matthew Perrapato and Michelle Sembler. Additionally, Susan Swietkowski was selected to serve as Board President and Stephen Kalish as Vice President for 2020. Congratulations!

January 16: The meeting featured student artwork and several recognitions that included students of the month, mid-year staff retirement as well as the recognition of Board of Education members for their service to the District.

In addition, the Board approved the 2020-21 School Calendar which can be found at the bottom of this newsletter.

Click HERE to view the agendas of our Board of Education meetings.

STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES REPORT

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

1/16 BOE Meeting

Middle School Planning Update

At the January 16 Board meeting and subsequent community presentations, the administration presented an update on the Middle School plans that are in development in preparation for September 2020. FAQs have been added to the end of the presentation to address many of the common questions that have been asked. Please note, no final determinations have been made regarding any possible changes to the start and end times of the school day while we continue to consider public feedback, district needs, and contractual obligations. As decisions are finalized, we will update the community accordingly.

Middle School Transition Planning

NEXT BOARD MEETING

February 27, 2020 at 7:30 PM to include a display of artwork by some of our Middle School students, student of the month & Eagle Scout recognitions, and a full Board budget work session to take place at the end of the meeting. The agenda for the meeting will be available in the afternoon on February 25.

STUDENT ARTWORK ON DISPLAY

Westwood Regional Berkeley Elementary and Brookside Elementary Art students under the direction of Mrs. Barbara Portelli, Berkeley: Emma Hill (K), Meeve Fitzpatrick (1), Lukas Marrero (2), Addison Duda (3), Emma Rome (4), Belma Ulger (5); Brookside: Isabella Boccellari (K), Sahara Severino (1), Molly McKae (2), Bridget Haffler (3), Maddie Schoch (4), Lukas Mehandzic (5).

STUDENTS OF THE MONTH

Middle School: Mohammed Abboud (gr 6) / Isabella Whalen (gr 7)

Jr/Sr HS: Hayden Bernstein (gr 8) & Joe Cucurullo (gr 12)

RETIREMENT RECOGNITION

Debra Bruno

School Psychologist (31 years of service)

EAGLE SCOUT

Christian Santamaria

Sr. High School, Twelfth Grade

RECENTLY ADOPTED POLICIES

The following Board policies were recently approved at the most recent meeting of the Board of Education:

P3322 - Teaching Staff Member's Use of Personal Cellular Telephones/Other Communication Devices
P4322 - Support Staff Member's Use of Personal Cellular Telephones/Other Communication Devices
P7250 - School and Facility Names
P8540 - School Nutrition Programs
P8820 - Opening Exercises/Ceremonies
R2431.1 - Emergency Procedures For Athletic Practices And Competitions (M)

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.

SUSAN MILLER / AMANDA gIORDANO

WASHINGTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Elementary Teachers

important dates

2019-2020 upcoming dates

February

17: District Closed
27: Board of Education Meeting (includes Budget Work Session)

March

12: Board of Education Meeting (Adoption of Preliminary Budget)
26: Board of Education Meeting

REVISED WRSD School Calendar 2019-2020 (approved 042519).pdf

2019-2020 School Calendar

At the January 16, 2020 meeting, the Board approved the school calendar for 2020-2021. The calendar is attached for your reference and can be found on the district website, HERE, along with the NJ Department of Education list of religious holidays permitting student absence from school.

WRSD School Calendar 2020-2021 (approved 011620).pdf