2019 Annual Report to the Community Freehold Regional High School District
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FREEHOLD REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT S e a s o n2019 ANNUAL2003 REPORT T O T H E COMMUNITY Our Schools A Diverse Community of Approximately 10,600 Students and 1,300 Faculty & Staff Colts Neck High School Colts Neck High School’s 59 Five Points Road, Colts Neck, NJ 07722 Marching Band performed (732) 761-0190 at a New Jersey Devil’s hockey game Freehold High School 2 Robertsville Road, Freehold, NJ 07728 (732) 431-8360 Freehold High School students participated in the JDRF One Walk to raise money for Type 1 Freehold Township High School Diabetes research 281 Elton Adelphia Road, Freehold, NJ 07728 (732) 431-8460 Howell High School 405 Squankum-Yellowbrook Road, Farmingdale, NJ 07727 Freehold Township High (732) 919-2131 School’s Girls Bowling team won the Group III State Championship Manalapan High School 20 Church Lane, Englishtown, NJ 07726 (732) 792-7200 Marlboro High School Howell High School’s Peer 95 North Main Street, Marlboro, NJ 07746 Leaders assisted at a local elementary school’s Field (732) 617-8393 Day Central Administration Building 11 Pine Street, Englishtown, NJ 07726 (732) 792-7300 Members of Manalapan High School’s Ice Hockey Team Who We Serve helped load a truck with Colts Neck Township, Englishtown Borough, Farmingdale hundreds of toys for the Borough, Freehold Borough, Freehold Township, Howell Marines’ Toys for Tots Drive Township, Manalapan Township and Marlboro Township Freehold Regional High School District Mission Marlboro High School The schools of the Freehold Regional High School District Business Administration form a diverse and supportive community offering innovative and comprehensive programs that inspire students to students traveled to New maximize their potential, preparing them to navigate an York City to compete in the evolving global society. High School Fed Challenge 2 From Our Superintendent It is impossible to recognize all the fantastic accomplishments of our students and staff over the last year in the limited pages of this report. The Freehold Regional High School District (FRHSD) continues to serve as a lighthouse district in the state and nation in providing the highest quality educational experience for students. Our strategic plan, Compass 2.0, continues to guide our work in the district. Our vision for the district is to empower all students to identify and develop their passions in rigorous coursework. To that end, we once again asked students to participate in the Social Emotional Learning survey. This survey provides the district with data and a comprehensive analysis of areas of strengths and challenges in an effort to plan for the necessary programming and supports for students. Our Mentoring Program for new teachers has also received statewide attention. Highlighted in the New Jersey Principals and Supervisors Association Professional journal, Educational Viewpoints in the spring of 2019, our mentoring program is facilitated through a sustained district-wide collaboration between central office administration and internal program coordinators who work closely with the new teachers and their mentors. We know that a supportive collaborative network of peers allows new staff to gain confidence as an educator. FRHSD is, unfortunately, facing a grim financial outlook as the state's plan to reduce our funding by 50% over the next several years begins. As of April 2020, the district will lose approximately $30 million in state funding under the plan put forth by state legislative leaders known as Senate Bill 2 (S2). FRHSD will go from receiving approximately $51 million in state aid down to $21 million after the implementation period is complete. S2 reflects the state’s belief that the taxpayers of the FRHSD are undertaxed by nearly $30 million, and that the state will no longer subsidize communities who are not paying their “Local Fair Share” – an arbitrary calculation that we continue to challenge. I have testified before Legislative committees over the past few years, explaining the current funding formula does not work as it should. It pits communities against one another and does not accurately reflect the supposed wealth of a town. This loss of funding means critical infrastructure work will be delayed, extracurricular structures will change, transportation for students will be affected, and a reduction in staff will be a reality. More than ever, we need our community to advocate for the FRHSD. Please take the time to visit the Advocating for our Students section of our website (www.frhsd.com) to learn more about the catastrophic outlook of S2 on our district and ways you can help. We continue our fight to ensure that all school districts in New Jersey receive fair funding. While there were many successes this past year, we continue to look for ways to improve the educational experience for all of our students. I look forward to another exciting school year of teaching, learning, and extraordinary student accomplishments and thank you for your continued support of our children. Warmest regards, Charles B. Sampson, Ed.D. Superintendent of Schools 3 Strategic Plan - Compass 2.0 Embracing a Plan for the Future The Freehold Regional High School District is a model of excellence among school districts, both locally and nationally. Our work, guided by our most recent strategic plan, Compass 2.0, is aimed at ensuring that all of our students have opportunities to develop their passions in rigorous courses and programs. Through this commitment, we have developed unique approaches to the analysis of student achievement, the development of curricula and programs, and the professional development of our leaders and teachers. Social Emotional Learning Survey Results During summer and fall of 2019, Guidance Supervisors in collaboration with school counselors analyzed the data from the Social Emotional Learning (SEL) survey that was administered to all students in grades nine through twelve in the Spring of 2019. This marked the second survey administration allowing the counseling department to review trends and patterns. The FRHSD partnered with Hanover Research to conduct the SEL survey in an effort to provide the district with data and a comprehensive analysis of areas of strengths and challenges in an effort to plan for the necessary programming and supports for students. After reviewing the student self-assessment data for the previous two school years, FRHSD students indicated that they are self-aware, socially aware and civic- minded. Our students respect and accept others who may be different from them while encouraging their peers to achieve. Additionally, FRHSD students know and understand their strengths and challenges while aspiring to achieve future goals and plans. Moreover, our students proudly acknowledge that they follow rules and know the difference between right and wrong. By embracing a growth mindset, FRHSD students believe that they can reach success if they put forth the effort while maintaining a healthy self-esteem. As with many teenagers, FRHSD students have legitimate concerns about the demands that come with succeeding in high school as well as setting goals for post-secondary advancement. In fact, many students admitted to worrying about their schoolwork and feeling anxious frequently. The Guidance & Counseling department has developed a Guidance Road Map that outlines programs and levels of support for students as they progress through their high school careers. During the 2019-2020 school year, the Guidance Professional Learning Community developed a protocol to assist students who struggle to maintain a focused presence in an academic environment. As our programming evolves to meet the needs of our students, we continue to help them learn ways to cope and manage their stress. Whole Child Student Growth and Learning We will inspire individual student We will deliver curriculum and goals through a safe, healthy, instruction that ensures the challenging, engaging and development and growth of supportive learning environment. individual student goals. Strategic Plan Core Areas Equity and Opportunity Community Partnerships We will maximize opportunities and We will engage our school access, and support students in community and external partners to their academic goals. provide authentic learning opportunities for students. 4 FRHSD Schools Innovative & Comprehensive Programs Comprehensive Educational Program The FRHSD offers a variety of programs to allow students to reach their highest academic potential and prepare them for success in achieving their post-secondary goals. Magnet Programs We offer twelve Magnet Programs focused on particular topics, ranging from humanities and law to medical sciences and engineering. By joining one of these unique learning communities within our six high schools, students have access to advanced level courses, including Advanced Placement and college level classes. Students also engage in real -world activities with recognized experts in fields related to each program. Students in these programs distinguish themselves on the national and global stages. They earn millions of dollars in scholarships, place at the highest levels in competitions, a nd attend the nation’s best colleges, universities, and trade schools. Special Services The FRHSD is committed to the principles established by both the Individuals with Disabilities Educational Improvement Act (IDEIA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) as these acts support the educational experiences of students. FRHSD offers a continuum of program options and