Superintendent’s Report Orange Board of Education April 12, 2011

The following is a report of the Superintendent of Schools for the April 12, 2011 Board of Education meeting:

District Highlights

 The Orange Public Schools was monitored and evaluated on March 28, 2011 and April 4, 2011 using the New Jersey Single Quality Accountability Continuum (NJQSAC). Under New Jersey Law, every district in New Jersey must be evaluated under NJQSAC. NJQSAC is the Department’s of Education’s monitoring and evaluation system for public school districts. It is a single comprehensive accountability system that consolidates and incorporates the monitoring requirements of applicable state laws and programs and complements federally required improvements. The system focuses on monitoring and evaluating school districts in five key components which, based on research, have been identified to be key factors in effective school districts. These components are:

. Instruction and program; . Personnel; . Fiscal management; . Operations; and . Governance

It is anticipated that the results of the NJQSAC report will be completed and reported by the Department of Education within the next several months.

 The Orange Public School District's PTA/PTO/PTSO District Council, in partnership with the Orange Education Association, invites all parents and teachers to the 10th Annual Spring Conference, Parents & Teachers Raising the Academic Bar II, on April 16, 2011. The event, which features valuable workshops for parents and teachers to help improve student achievement, is scheduled from 9:00 a.m. until noon at Orange High School. Admission to the conference is free.

 The district will be hosting a Teen Summit on Saturday, April 16, 2011. The Teen Summit 2011- Winning the Game of Life is open to all Orange Preparatory Academy (grades 8 and 9) and Orange High School (grades 10 – 12) students. The Teen Summit includes informative and interactive workshops, games and prizes. This free event will take place from 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. at Lincoln Avenue School. There will be free food for all and, while supplies last, free T-shirts. Pre-registration is mandatory!  The students of Orange High School are proud to present an amateur production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor© Dreamcoat, with lyrics by Tim Rice and music by Andrew Lloyd Webber. The Biblical saga of Joseph and his coat of many colors comes to vibrant life in this delightful musical parable. Joseph, his father's favorite son, is a boy blessed with prophetic dreams. When he is sold into slavery by his jealous brothers and taken to Egypt, Joseph endures a series of adventures in which his spirit and humanity are continually challenged. The musical, directed by Rachel Green, Drama Instructor at Orange High School, is full of singing, dancing, and comical and emotional moments. The audience will enjoy the entertaining variety of musical numbers. The show times for the musical are Thursday, April 14, Friday, April15, 2011 at 7:00 PM, and two shows on Saturday, April 16, 2011 at 2:00 PM (matinee) and 7:00 PM.

 On Sunday, April 10, 2011, RoboCupJunior held its Sixth New York –New Jersey Regional Robotics Event at Orange High School. Schools from New York and New Jersey attended the event. RoboCupJunior is a project-oriented educational initiative with robotics for students, with a focus on providing a hands-on scaffold environment where learners can grow--by expanding their knowledge of, sparking their curiosity about and increasing their comfort with technology. The event showcased varied challenges using robotics: each emphasizing cooperative problem-solving; each designed to reach creative young minds with a range of interests and skill. This was an all day event (9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.) that was open to the public. We hope that this event enticed the interest of our students in robotics as we plan to launch our district- wide initiative in 2011-12.

 On Saturday, April 9, 2011, The Omega Psi Phi Fraternity hosted a Wealth Financial Literacy Programs for high school students. The Wealth Financial Literacy Program will be a mentoring program for high school students with a focus on teaching wealth accumulation, entrepreneurship and financial principles. The program will be a series of workshops for students and will meet on every second Saturday of the month in May and June. The program will model success for students and encourage positive attitudes about money and wealth through lessons with community professionals and business mentors. Students participating in the program will have an opportunity to earn summer internships at New York and New Jersey businesses such as Black Enterprise Magazine, Amalgamated Bank, etc.

 The Omega Psi Phi Fraternity is celebrating its 100th year anniversary this year and has selected the Orange Superintendent to be recognized for his strides in Education as one of their four Cardinal Principles Scholarship. The event will take place on Friday, May 20, 2011 at 8:00 p.m. at the Newark Club located One Newark Center, 1085 Raymond Blvd., Newark NJ 07102.

 The Orange Public School district and the City of Orange Township’s Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Re-enactment March to promote Tolerance and Kindness occurred Monday, March 28, 2011. The re-enactment of Dr. King's historic Selma to Montgomery march marked the 46th anniversary of this notable event.

The march began from City Hall and ended at Orange Preparatory Academy (OPA) where there will be an assembly, from 9:30 – 11:30 a.m., in the OPA Auditorium. At the conclusion of the march, the Superintendent presented a historical prospective of the civil rights movement and the sacrifices made by individuals to allow young people today to enjoy their current freedoms. In addition, there was a Black History Month Program, which reflected on other principles espoused by Dr. King. The students focused on “tolerance and “kindness”. Each school prepared brief videos responding to:

Dr. King once said, “Life’s most urgent question is “What are you doing for others” my answer to him is…

A compilation of these videos have aired on Channel 35. There were also awards presented to students for their random acts of kindness.

CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION

 NJASK testing is just around the corner. Testing for grades 3-8 will be administered during the month of May. Please be on the alert for your child’s testing week.

The district personnel have been working diligently to prepare the students for this very critical assessment. There have been after-school programs instituted as well as Saturday Academies to assist our students. For the first time the district will operate two academies over the Spring Break. Please contact your school for additional information.

 Save the dates: Summer School/ Camp will be operating in district July 5th through July 29th. Applications will be available at Parent Conferences held April 20th and the 21st. Summer Academy positions will require the submission of a Thematic Unit of Study for teachers to submit with their applications. Our Summer Academy program will encompass a micro-society broad-based topic under which the themes will be generated.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

 The Department of Curriculum & Testing is planning the Professional Development opportunities for SY 2011-2012. There will be further training on current initiatives in addition to embedded training to enhance the classroom experience for our students. Teachers have been trained to use the new program My Learning Plan for a paperless workshop record keeping.

SPECIAL PROGRAMS

 The IT Department is embarking on a plan that will upgrade and provide stability to our email environment. This project includes a migration to the latest version of Microsoft Exchange (2010). This implementation lays the foundation for XenServer Physical to Virtual migration of our data. Additionally, the project will provide a centralized backup solution using Symantec Backup Exec 2010. The period of implementation begins on or about May 5, 2011 and is expected to be completed by May 31. During the various stages of the process, there may be some “down time” in access to email and/or our network. These periods of intermittent use will be preceded by a timely warning to all users.

Additionally, all of the configurations have been finalized, and all of the training has been completed by the IT Department in order for the district-wide implementation of Genesis Grade book to occur. As the fourth marking period draws near, all teachers in the Orange Public Schools District have the capability of electronically inputting grades and generating Interim Progress Reports as well as Report Cards.

SPECIAL SERVICES

 The Space is a program located at Orange High School to provide mental health resources and counseling for high school students. Students take educational field trips to cultural events and college tours. Tutoring assistance is provided and career orientation in addition to recreational activities. The Space program assists in parent training and other parental supports. Please see attached calendar of schedule of activities and contact information.

 Kudos to Sodexo Catering, for catering the food and providing the ambiance for the retirement reception of the Director of Special Services at Lincoln Avenue School. Under the leadership of Tyrone Dorsey and Master Chef Andre, food was served from several stations including Asian, Spanish, Caribbean and Soul. A beautiful ice carving provided the centerpiece for an assortment of cheese and crackers, exotic fruits. If you are planning an event in or out of district, the warm and caring Sodexo team is highly recommended. Everything served was delicious and thoroughly enjoyed.

HUMAN RESOURCE DEPARTMENT

 Met with principals to log in third cycle non-tenured observations and tenured staff observations.  Updated observation/evaluation matrix for principals and administrators as observations were submitted.  Prepared Personnel agendas for March 15th Board of Education meeting.  Reviewed and prepared for payment tuition reimbursements for eligible staff members.  Met and counseled staff members whom have exceeded eight occasional absences.  Updated Highly Qualified forms for QSAC review.  Screened applications for the position of Special Services Director and set up interviews for initial candidates.

FACILITIES

Facilities Committee meeting was held on Monday, April 4, 2011 at 2:30 pm.

 Cleveland Street School Mr. Marc Larkin the CEO and Mr. Edward Walsh, Chairman of the Board of New Jersey Schools Development Authority (NJSDA) visited and walked through Cleveland Street School on Wednesday, March 30, 2011 at 9:00 am. He was accompanied by Mr. Ronald C. Lee, Superintendent of Schools, Mr. Arthur Griffa, Chairman District Facilities Committee, Councilwoman Mrs. Tency Eason, Mr. Adekunle James, Business Administrator, Ms. Denise White, Principal, and other district staff and community members. Mr. Larkin and Mr. Walsh, observed the facility deficiencies at Cleveland School, they both concluded that all their observations will be reported to the SDA Board.

After the walkthrough of Cleveland School, Mr. Lee, and Mr. James accompanied Mr. Walsh to observe the dilapidating conditions of the Orange Prep Academy roof and parapets that requires emergent repair or replacement. Mr. Lee also notified Mr. Walsh of other various facility deficiencies and needs in the entire district, especially those that require emergent attention.

 Orange High School (OHS) Air Handling Unit (HVAC) system upgrade and replacement: The HVAC renovation project has commenced, the general contractor will begin the major demolition during the Spring Break week of April 25, 2011 while the district is closed. Some mitigation will be conducted during that same week.

 Orange Prep Academy Gym Light Replacement Project: All bid issues has been clarified and the contractor who was awarded the bid will be starting the replacement project during the Spring Break on April 25, 2011.

FINANCE:

 The district's 2011-2012 budget has been completed and submitted. On March 23, 2011 the budget was approved by New Jersey Department of Education, Essex County Executive Superintendent of Schools for technical review. On March 30, 2011, the Board of School Estimate also approved the tax levy allocation for the school district’s 2011-12 budget. STUDENT RECOGNITION AND AWARDS

 Congressional High School Art Competition An Artistic Discovery, coordinated by Members of Congress, is the annual Congressional High School Art Competition. The 10th Congressional District Competition will be on Monday, April 25, 2011, beginning at 3pm at the Newark Museum in Newark, New Jersey. This spring, the art competition enters its 19th year in the 10th Congressional District. The exhibit will be open to the public from April 9th to May 8th. The Orange community is invited to visit Newark Museum to see the beautiful works of art created by Orange High School students that are on display.

 Art Educators of NJ (AENJ), at NJPAC - April 3, 2011 Through a juried program from the Art Educators of NJ (AENJ), several students from both Heywood Avenue and Lincoln Avenue Schools were honored for their artistic accomplishments. This honor took place Sunday morning, April 3, 2011 at a reception in their honor at NJPAC inside the Victoria Theatre's Lobby. Their work hung with a large number of K-12 fellow honorees from across New Jersey.

The students honored were: Caleb Andrews, Tatum Sabin, Eleazar Ramos-Ramirez, Shalieeyah Jeter Chapman, Ruth Martinez, Emmanuel Blackmond, Mariana Lopez, and Kandra Laknan. Teachers, Lisa Clark (Lincoln) and Kelly Grzesiak (Heywood), are commended for promoting their students and encouraging them to enter this State contest. Mr. Peter S. Crosta, Assistant Director, Special Projects, K-12, who attended, applauds their leadership. Also present to support the students were Mr. Ronald Lee, Superintendent of Schools, and Mr. Gerald Murphy, Assistant Principal of Heywood.

 Essex County Executive Welcomes Student Artists To Essex County’s Hall of Records Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. and the Art Educators of New Jersey welcomed 86 students from throughout Essex County to the Hall of Records for the Art Educators of New Jersey student art exhibit on Tuesday, March 29th. This is the seventh consecutive year DiVincenzo has collaborated with the Art Educators of New Jersey to present the student artists exhibit at the Hall of Records.

This year’s show featured original works of art created students who ranged in age from elementary school to high school level. The students came from 27 different Essex County schools. The students whose drawings and paintings that were featured in the exhibit from Heywood Avenue and Lincoln Avenue Schools are:

 Heywood Avenue Elementary School, Orange: Abigail Excellente, Amya Scantlebury, Jamil De los Santos, Jaylen Davis and Kimoya Cummings.  Heywood Avenue Middle School, Orange: Amari Day, Denielle Plummer, Karen Castro Cuelar and Kelly Zunga.  Lincoln Avenue School, Orange: Janeilya Gopaw Singh, Jean Karlew Mora, Jefferson Cleizer, Gaillel Calle, Kelly Williams, Cynthia Feline-Juarez, Sabrina Paul, Adelle Demesier and Lamar Townes. Principals, Ms. Faith Alcantara and Mr. Robert Pettit from Heywood Avenue and Lincoln Avenue Schools respectively, were there to support their students along with the art teachers, Ms. Kelly Grzesiak, from Heywood and Ms. Lisa Clarke and MS. Janelle Kennedy from Lincoln.

UPCOMING EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES:

 Teen Summit 2011 – on Saturday, April 16, 2011 held at Lincoln Avenue School 8:30 am – 5:00 p.m.  10th Annual Spring Conference, Parents and Teachers Raising The Academic Bar - Saturday, April 16, 2011 at Orange High School 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon.  Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor DreamCoat April 14 – 15, 2011  Essex County Superintendent Student Recognition Banquet – May 4, 2011  Honor Society Induction Ceremony – May 19, 2011  Graduation Gala May 20, 2011 at 6:00 p.m. held at Lincoln Avenue School  Senior Prom – May 25, 2011  Big O’ Booster Club – June 8, 2011

Central School  Book Talk - April 15, 2011 at 1:30 pm  Science Fair - April 20, 2011 at 5:30 pm  Art Show - April 20, 2011 at 5:30 pm

Lincoln Avenue School  PTO meeting - 4-12-11 (6PM) - Cafeteria  PBS/NJASK Booster Rally - 4-21-11 (9AM) - Gymnasium

Rosa Parks  NJASK Kick-off April 15, 2011  Rizzo Reptile Discovery Visit Grades 2-4 April 20, 2011  Honor Roll Assemblies April 21, 2011  PTA Meeting - April 19, 2011  Earth Day Activities Middle School 4-20-2011 & 4-21-2011

Oakwood Avenue  You Gotta Have Art – April 19, 2011 at 6:00 p.m.

Park Avenue School  Thursday, April 14 - Bring Your Parent to School Day 9:00-3:00  Friday, April 15 Earth Day Program 3:00-4:00  April 18-21 Book Fair All day  Sunday, April 17 - Universoul Circus 12:30  April 18-21 - Book Fair  Tuesday, April 19 - College Day 10:00-1:00  Wednesday, April 20 - Movie Night and Open Gym 5:00-8:00pm

Forest Street School  Emerging Young Leaders (EYL) meeting 4/13/11at 6:00 p.m.  Parent/Teacher Conference - April 20, 2011 at 6:00-8:00 p.m.  Parent/Teacher Conference – April 21, 2011 at 1:00-3:00 p.m.

Orange Preparatory Academy  College Fair held at Orange High School Gym on April 20, 2011 - 8:30 am – 12:30 pm  Orange Preparatory NJ Mock Trial Hearings held at Lincoln Avenue School, on April 27, 2011 This event starts @ 8:30am  NJASK Prep Academy April 26, 2011 – April 29, 2011 from 9:00am -12:00pm  Early College Awareness Event: May 7th, 2011 from 9:00am -1:00pm o Location: Orange Preparatory Academy Café  School Wide Art Exhibit May 11, 2011 at Orange Preparatory Academy @ 6:00pm  Spring Dance Concert May 12, 2011 at Orange Preparatory Academy @7:00pm

Heywood Avenue School  Zumba-thon Fundraiser, April 15th from 5 to 7:30 pm - fitness fun for all (adults only event - $20)  PTA Health Fair, May 14th, 10 - 3 pm (save the date)

Orange High School  April 22, 2011-Starbound Talent Competition at 9:00am Orange High School Dance Ensemble held at the Voorhees Middle School  Essex County Superintendent Recognition Banquet May 4th, 2011 6:30pm (Superintendent and Principal will attend) Naninas in the Park 540 Mill Street, Belleville, NJ 07109-1699  Honor Society Induction Ceremony OHS Dining Hall May 19,2011 7pm-8:30pm  Senior Prom ( Toast Off 5:30-6:30 OHS parking lot) Prom will take Place 1190 Knoll Road Boonton, NJ 07005 – 7pm  Big “O” Booster Ceremony “ Senior Athletics Recognition”- June 8th, 2011 6pm-10pm. 619 Langdon Street Orange, NJ 07050-1108  Senior Prom will take place May 25, 2011