East Brunswick Public Schools
District E-News
November 13, 2009                                                                                                                                                                                    VOLUME 39, ISSUE 3

School Board Highlights

At the November 12 Board of Education meeting:
 

The following items were included in Dr. Magistro’s Superintendent’s Report…

• The artwork that is on display in the Boardroom, through November 16, was done by students at Memorial School. Memorial’s art teacher is Myra Feldman and the Principal is Pam Mayo.
   

•  On Friday, November 6^th I had the pleasure of attending the Awards luncheon at the NJEA Convention in Atlantic City with Karen Warner, Supervisor of the ETTC. At the luncheon we were officially presented the $100,000 Verizon Thinkfinity grant. Thanks to Verizon Foundation our ETTC is able to provide free Thinkfinity professional development through out New Jersey. Thinkfinity.org has been created and/or approved by 11 of the nation’s leading educational organizations, some of which include: the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the International Reading Association, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, National Council of Teachers of English, National Council of  Teachers of Mathematics, National Geographic Society and the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History.  We are proud to have East Brunswick's ETTC serve as New Jersey's Thinkfinity State Education Partner. Visit Thinkfinity.org where there are resources for parents and caregivers as well as educators.
  
   

• We received enough H1N1 Flu vaccine to hold several flu shot clinics this week. The vaccine was administered to students who returned parent consent forms at Central and Bowne-Munro. There was also enough of the nasal spray vaccines to do those students at Chittick whose parents had requested that type of vaccine. We will get back to Chittick and continue to schedule clinics as the vaccine becomes available. The clinics have gone very smoothly thanks to our school nurses and nurses from the Middlesex County Health Department. The students have been terrific and we grateful to our PTAs for their last minute support and flexibility. They are helping with the organization and the paperwork. They are also providing elementary students with a small snack, juice and a sticker or prize.
  
  Dr. Love has worked to make all of this happen and  the support from Austin Kosik, township’s Emergency Management Coordinator and the County Health Department has been been instrumental in the success of the clinics.

  

• On November 10^th 86 juniors and seniors were inducted into Mu Alpha Theta, the Math Honor Society. Senator Buono was the guest speaker. In an inspirational speech, she congratulated the students on their accomplishments and talked about how important mathematics is to our lives as well as how increasingly important mathematics has become over history.  Mu Alpha Theta advisor, Gail Dysleski planned a beautiful ceremony.
   

• November 11^th,Veteran’s Day will be a memorable one for students at Churchill and the High School. Wreaths were placed by the flagpoles at both schools. There will be new meaning for students at Churchill when they pass by the sign for Bonner Road as they leave school everyday. Michael Bonner, brother of Fred Bonner for whom the road is named, spoke about his brother who, during the Vietnam War, made the ultimate sacrifice. Fred attended Churchill and played football there.
  
  Six members of the United States Marine Corp were at the high school for a brief but meaningful ceremony. Following the ceremony they visited Mr. McEvoy’s Vietnam class where they spoke with students and answered their questions.
  
  Captain Cairns, who currently serves in the military and is the father of two Churchill students, spoke about the meaning of Veteran’s Day at both Churchill and Central School.
   

• The AUSSIE professional development program, that is being paid for with funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 is well underway.  All staff at the elementary schools and the language arts and math teachers at Hammarskjold and Churchill participated in AUSSIE workshops on staff development day. The consultants and teachers are working collaboratively, using a job embedded coaching model, to differentiate instruction for all students to raise student achievement.  In addition, the first day of the Administrator Academy was conducted on November 11^th.
   

• On November 12^th all of our 600 plus 5th graders gathered at the EBPAC for a performance by the Carolyn Dorfman Dance Company. This was an introduction to the dance residency unit that the fifth graders will experience during music classes. As one form of performing arts, dance education is a part of the New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards. East Brunswick is one of only a few districts in the state to provide dance education to 5^th grade students. This particular dance concert combined dance education with Holocaust education which is also a state requirement. The students experienced, firsthand, how, like theater, music and art; dance is a means of expressing oneself.
  
  The students also experienced the benefits of the EBPAC. Having this facility allowed us to bring all the fifth graders together. Not only were they able to enjoy the performance in this state-of-the-art facility, bringing them together at the PAC is more efficient and less costly than taking them to a program off site or having to bring the dance company to each school separately.
  
  The Carolyn Dorfman Dance Company will be back at the PAC on April 7^th when, as part of this year’s Arts in Education Concert Series, they will present a dance concert entitled "East Brunswick Remembers." Sponsored in partnership by the East Brunswick Education Foundation and HSBC Bank, the performance will be for the community and will also serve as Holocaust and Genocide education, as well as cultural diversity education.
   

• Fall Athletic Update
      The fall season is almost complete and the Bears were very successful:

  - Both Girls and Boys Soccer as well Girls Volleyball  are Red Division Champions
  - The  Girls Soccer, Tennis, Field Hockey and Volleyball are GMC Champions
  - The Girls Gymnastic Team received the GMC Sportsmanship Award for that sport.
  - The Boys Cross Country Team is the Central Jersey Group IV Champions and will compete in the State meet in Holmdel Park on
     November 14^th.
  - The Football Team qualified for State level competition. Eight teams qualified and the 4^th seeded Bears will  play 5^th seeded West
     Windsor South on November 13^th.
   

• The two turf fields at the high school are complete and are being used daily, weather permitting, by the physical education classes.
   

• Hats off to the East Brunswick Band Parent Association who collected more than 1,200 pounds of food at the marching band competition held on October 24^th. The food was donated to the Middlesex County Food Organization and Outreach Distribution Services. Thanks to the plentiful donations generated through their efforts, many needy Middlesex County residents will continue to have immediate access to a variety of substantive food items.
   

• November 15^th-21^st is American Education Week.  In recognition of American education week a parent visitation day has been scheduled for November 17^th according to the following schedule:

      Elementary Schools:                        10:15 to 11:15 am, 2:15 to 3:15 pm

      Hammarskjold Middle School:       9:00 to 10:00 am, 12:45 to 1:45 pm        

      Churchill Junior High School:         9:00 to 10:00 am, 1:00 to 2:00 pm

      East Brunswick High School:          8:15 to 9:15 am, 1:00 to 2:00 pm

                Students in grades 5, 7, 9 and 12 will have the opportunity to “Thank a Teacher” for making a difference in their lives. This form is also available on
                the website if a parent, alumni or student in another grade level would like to pay tribute to a staff member.

Other Reports...

• Comprehensive Annual Financial Report and Auditor's Report
  Presented by David A. Kaplan, CPA
  
  State of New Jersey statute requires that every school district under go an annual audit performed by an independent auditor.  As a result of the audit the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) and Auditor’s Management Report are produced.  The independent auditor must give an opinion on the district’s financial statements and operation.  The East Brunswick Public School District received an unqualified opinion.  This opinion gives the highest level of assurance that the district’s financial reports are presented fairly in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principals (GAAP).
  
  The Auditor’s Management Report details the independent auditor’s finding and recommendations. The district received no findings or recommendation for the 2009 fiscal year.  This is a major accomplishment that confirms the quality of work produced by the district. It is important to note that few districts receive no audit findings or recommendations.
  
  Dr. Magistro, President Simmens and Vice President and Chair of the Finance Committee, Scott Luxenberg, commended and thanked Bernardo Giuliana, School Business Administrator, Joseph Crotchfelt, Director of Financial Services and their Finance Team.
   

• Annual Report of Progress in Mastering the New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards 2008-2009
  Presented by Dr. Evelyn Ogden, Deputy Superintendent
  
  The district annually reports to the district board of education and the public on the progress of all students at key grade levels in mastering the New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards. This includes content areas not included in the statewide assessments.

Award Presentations...

• Twenty-five Year Service Awards:
  Staff members were  honored for 25 years of service. Their dedication and commitment to our students is applauded and appreciated. As veteran staff members they bring knowledge and experience as well as rich tradition and a history of excellence to the work that they do everyday.

  Martin Bordak	Pearl Hillman	Kathryn Peterson
  Nagy Botros	Philip Hossler	Linda Salkeld
  Diane Catullo	Dennis Maclosky	Kathleen Sharar
  Amy Danish	Helen McGuinness	Jeffrey Siedlecki
  Celeste Deger	Richard Murray	Joseph Skarzynski
  Robert Dougherty	Lorraine Orehostky	Irene Somma
  Patricia Hauser	Patricia Peters	Gladys Sroczynnsk
  	Leba Yolin

• Perfect Attendance Awards:
  Staff members who achieved perfect attendance during the 2008-2009 school year. Their efforts provide consistency and a level of comfort for the students that they serve.

  Harriet Berg	Jean Louis	Matthew Rutkowski
  Anthony Charanis	Jean Nuzzi	Michael Snook
  Danielle Dowgin	Jennifer Ogin	Susan Strauss
  John Giambrone	Stephanie Papa	Leslie Szukics
  Maryann Kalesnick	Lauren Paris	Harriet Trenholm
  Paul Kimmel	Kristen Pechar	Rosalie Triozzi
  Janet Larkin	Lindsey Pribush	Lisa Weinert

  In light of recent recommendations from the Center for Disease Control and other governmental agencies, the district, along with other school districts and private businesses across the country, will be setting aside the perfect attendance award incentive for the 2009-10 school year. Consideration will be given to resuming this practice in future years.
  
  We celebrated our colleagues for attaining perfect attendance and wish them continued health and wellness.

The Good of the Cause for the Public...

• Lisa Citron, HMS teacher and parent of two graduates, spoke about the quality of education in East Brunswick and the excellent staff that impart the curriculum.
   

• Kevin McEvoy, EBHS teacher and parent of graduate, read a complimentary letter from a student.

The Board...

•  approved a resolution proclaiming American Education Week November 15-21, 2009.
   

•  adopted and/or revised the following policies/regulations :
    
    -Policy No. 0177, Professional Services
    -Regulation No. 1400.100, Job Description-Director Of Community Relations
    -Regulation No. 1400.101, Job Description-Director Of Human Resources
    -Regulation No. 1400.102, Job Description-Director Of Financial Services (Assistant School Business Administrator/Assistant Board Secretary)
    -Regulation No. 1400.103, Job Description-Director Of Special Education
    -Regulation No. 1400.104, Job Description-Director Of Support Services
    -Regulation No. 1400.105, Job Description-Director Of Information Technology
    -Policy No. 1570, Internal Controls
    -Regulation No. 1570, Internal Controls
    -Policy No.7300, Disposition of Property
    -Policy No. 7410, Maintenance and Repair
    -Policy No.7450, Property Inventory
    -Policy No. 7650, School Vehicle Assignment, Use, Tracking, Maintenance, and Accounting
    -Regulation No. 7650, School Vehicle Assignment, Use, Tracking, Maintenance, and Accounting
    -Policy No. 8320, Personnel Records
    -Policy No. 8860, Memorials
   

• accepted with sincere appreciation a gift from the Central Elementary School PTA in the amount of $20,223.70 toward the purchase, construction and installation of a paved walkway, asphalt play area and two basketball poles on behalf of Central Elementary school.
   

• approved for submittal the New Jersey Quality Single Accountability Continuum(QSAC) District Performance Review and the facilities checklists to the New Jersey Department of Education.
  
  QSAC is the new State school district monitoring and evaluation system. The district’s policies/regulations, curriculum, instruction, programs, staffing, operations, governance, budgets,  procedures, and student achievement are intensely reviewed and evaluated by the State, once every three years. Our district is scheduled for this state review in December.

        Preparation for the QSAC evaluation began in East Brunswick over a year ago. Committees of administrators, teachers, and board members,
        assembled documentation and evidence of achievement of or compliance with the hundred of standards, contained in the five sections of QSAC.
  
        Those sections are: 
               -Instruction and Program
               -Personnel
               -Fiscal Management
               -Operations
               -Governance

        The committees for each section rated the district’s compliance with each standard based on the documentation presented.  The Overall District
        QSAC Committee then reviewed each section and either confirmed or changed the ratings. 
        
        In December, a team from the Executive County Superintendent’s Office will visit the district to review the documentation for compliance with the
        State standards and render their own rating for the district. We are confident that we will do well.

Committee Reports/Good of the Cause for the Board...

• Katie Spiegler, Board liaison to the East Brunswick Education Foundation (EBEF) reported on the November 11^th Foundation meeting. The grants committee approved six grants for November. It is possible to make United Way Donations to the EBEF through employer sponsored campaigns in the tri-state area by designating the EBEF on the pledge card. The EBEF’s 501(c)3 status and address (760 Route 18, East Brunswick, NJ 08816) should be noted. Also, the EBEF/EBHS Alumni Association are working with Harris Connect to develop an EBHS Alumni Directory. This data base will allow them to reach out to alumni and keep them informed.
   

• President Simmens thanked the Central School PTA for their generous donation that will certainly enhance the play area for physical education/recess/community use. Mr. Simmens also thanked Dr. Love and Mrs, Basaman for their efforts regarding dissemination of H1N1 information and the set up for the flu shot clinics.
   

• Holly Howard, Chair of the Buildings and Grounds Committee reported on the October 19^th Committee meeting at which the Memorial School project time line, the long range facilities plans and the status of current projects were discussed. Mrs. Howard thanked Jim Smith, Director of Support Operations for his role in maintaining and improving the district’s facilities. 
   

• Dr. Susan Karp reported on the October 28^th Student Services Committee meeting at which the two year AUSSIE professional development initiative was presented and discussed. 
   

• Meredith Shaw commended the Gymnastics Team for having received the GMC Sportsmanship Award.

All Board meetings are videotaped for later broadcast. They are televised on EBTV Channel 3 Mondays at 1:00 pm and 10:00 pm and Fridays at 9:00 pm.

EBHS German Club & German Honor Society hosted WALL FALL-a 20th Anniversary Celebration of the Fall of the Berlin Wall in conjunction with the German Honor Society Induction
German Club/ GHS advisor, Sara Wilder, welcoming everyone to Wall Fall	East German attendees formed a wall around West German attendees on stage		HMS students in audience invited up on stage at end of reenactment to help knock down the wall
EBHS Social Studies teacher, Rob Gangi was the keynote speaker at the East Brunswick Jewish Community Center for the Kristallnacht Memorial and Dedication ceremony on Sunday, November 8th.  The topic of his presentation was Holocaust education. Mr. Gangi has studied this topic in depth having been involved in scholarship seminars at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.  He was also awarded a scholaship from the Jewish Labor Committee and the American Gathering of Jewish Holocaust Survivors that took him to Poland and Israel where he visited Auschwitz, Majdanek, Treblinka, Warsaw, Ghetto Fighters Museum, Krakow, Vad Vashem and many other places. According to Rob, "It was a truly amazing experience and I am thrilled to be able to share the knowledge I have gained through these experiences with my students."  He was presented a Community Service Award for his work in Holocaust education.

Organizations (PTAs, EBEF, Boosters, etc.) that support our schools are encouraged to submit information about upcoming fundraisers and other events.

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