RD O OA F E B D Hoboken Public Schools N U E C K A

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O N H H The Herald Weekly Newsletter

February 25, 2019

Dear Parents and Guardians, Principal Messages As the third marking period is underway, I have many exciting things to share with you. It is so important to celebrate progress, highlight ☑ unique learning experiences, and invite you to participate in school Hoboken High School and district-wide events. ☑ Hoboken Middle School At last week’s Board of Education meeting, I reported out that the Hoboken Public School District was deemed “High Performing” by ☑ Brandt Elementary School the New Jersey Department of Education. As a result of the NJ QSAC monitoring process, the Hoboken Public School District exceeded the required 80% mark in all five areas (Governance, Personnel, Fiscal ☑ Calabro Elementary School Management, Operations, and Instruction and Program). As a result, we have earned this new distinction. I could not be more proud of ☑ Connors Elementary School our staff and students. This now serves as our foundation and we will continue to grow from here. ☑ Wallace Elementary School At Hoboken High School, students are accomplishing great things. I ☑ am honored to announce the following Hoboken High School students Early Childhood Education who applied and received scholarships for CIEE’s Global Navigator Summer Study Abroad Programs:

Joel Quizhpi – Full scholarship award for the Italian Language Upcoming Events and Culture Program

Sheila Lam – Full scholarship award for the French Language and Culture Program

Davian Delgado – 80% scholarship award for the German Language and Culture Program

As you know, global learning is one of our focus areas. In addition to the wonderful travel opportunities through CIEE that our students will February 25 experience, we also have a large group of PLTW Biomedical Science Wallace PTO Book Fair Begins students from Hoboken High School leaving for in the coming weeks and our Harvard students will be leaving on March 13th to compete in , . March 1 Read Across America Celebrations In an effort to empathize the importance of dual language proficiency, Hoboken High School applied and was accepted by the New Jersey March 9 Department of Education as a school permitted to award the coveted SAT Administration Seal of Biliteracy to students who demonstrate proficiency on the at Hoboken High School AAPPL (Assessment of Performance toward Proficiency in Languages). Seventeen students will sit for this highly rigorous exam this week. March 12 Connors Elementary School This past weekend, I proudly watched four Hoboken Public School students participate in the Hudson County Scripps Spelling Bee held International Dinner at Secaucus High School. Each student was poised and well prepared. Most importantly, each was proud to be there and to represent their March 14 school. I could not be more impressed with the manner in which they Wallace Elementary School competed. Join me in congratulating the following students: Staff vs Parent Basketball Game

Amelie Cademartori – Calabro Elementary School March 23 Jaiden Soriano – Connors Elementary School Theater & Maker’s Day Event Hayley Dobson – Wallace School at Hoboken High School Rhiddi Damani – Hoboken Middle School

I would also like to take a moment to highlight each of our schools March 27 and our district. We were notified last week that nineteen teams from College Planning Night the Hoboken Public School District will be competing in New Jersey’s at Hoboken High School Regional STEAM TANK Competition at NJIT on Saturday, March 9th. If you recall, our team from Wallace Elementary School won the March 29 State of New Jersey Elementary Division this past fall. This year, we Drama Club Movie Night quadrupled our number of teams heading to the Regionals and we are the only district in the state with more than three schools to have teams from every one of our schools!

On March 5th, I am invited to participate in a Superintendent’s Roundtable Discussion titled “Continuing the Momentum for Increasing Inclusion, Opportunities and Access” sponsored by the North Jersey Center for Excellence and Equity. At this roundtable, I will present what the Hoboken Public School District is doing to ensure equitable opportunities for all, and I will also learn from other Superintendents. I look forward to sharing what I learn with staff and families. www.hobokenpef.org Volunteer On Sunday, I sent an e mail out to all current families with children in grades PK4 through 7 regarding our LEAP Summer Camp Program. Become a Donor Online registration will be open on Monday, March 4th for children HPEF Newsletter Sign Up who will be enrolled in Grades K-8 in our schools, as of September 2019. Unlike most summer camps which operate in July, LEAP runs throughout August offering a full day of academic enrichment, fun activities, and games. Be sure to check our website for more information.

I’d like to send a huge shoutout to all of our senior student- athletes who celebrated their high school careers with their teammates through various ‘Senior Night’ events last week. #OnceaRedwingAlwaysaRedwing Please also note that Hoboken High School Spring Sport Registration opened on February 9th, and will close Friday March 8. Registration can be completed online through our website for your convenience. Links to register can be found on our homepage under Athletics and linked here. Hoboken High School Featured School Be sure to read our upcoming editions of The Herald. I will highlight Black History Month in the Hoboken Public Schools. I will also provide information regarding an upcoming Flag Ceremony at Hoboken High School. I would like to ask that you mark your calendars for an upcoming Community Dinner which has been scheduled for March 21st in the Hoboken High School Cafeteria, as well as our upcoming Family Theater and Maker Space Day which will be held on March 23rd, also at Hoboken High School. I hope that you had a relaxing weekend and I look forward to sharing Social Media this week’s highlights with you on Friday. Digital Backpack Sincerely, Facebook Dr. Christine Johnson Twitter Mobile Application Dr. Christine Johnson Superintendent of Schools

Weekly Highlights

In honor of Black History Month, students in grades 3-6 hosted a Living Wax Museum! Students came to life whenever a visitor stopped by, sharing all the information they had learned about their historical figure and how he or she has impacted the world.

Congratulations to all of our senior Redwing student-athletes who celebrated Senior Night last week! #OnceaRedwingAlwaysaRedwing

Some of the scenes from last week’s Love and Soul Cafe at Hoboken High School, sponosored by the African- American Club, Diversity Club, and International Club of Hoboken High School!