
LPS Spotlight
News for the Livingston Public Schools Community
June 27, 2023
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE CLASS OF 2023! SCROLL DOWN FOR MORE GRADUATION DAY PHOTOS!
SCROLL DOWN FOR INFO ON...
- Board of Education Summer Meetings
- Jake Ferrans Sworn In As Student Rep to the BOE
- LHS Graduation Photos
- Making History: Three Grads Head to West Point
- Middle School Debate Teams Shine at Morris County Competition
- National Science Bee Winners
- Wood Tech Students Contribute to Courtyard
- Lancer News
- Project Graduation
- Community News: LACD Pool Party
BOARD OF EDUCATION SUMMER MEETING SCHEDULE
The Livingston Board of Education will hold public meetings at 7:15PM on:
- Tuesday, July 11 2023
- Tuesday, August 8, 2023.
Public meetings are held in a hybrid format during which participants have the ability to ask questions and make comments either in person or via the webinar. Members of the public may attend in person at the Central Office, 11 Foxcroft Drive, or virtually via webinar. The webinar link is posted on the front page of the district website, www.livingston.org, on the day of the meeting. The meeting will also be livestreamed on the district's Facebook page, @LivSchools.
JAKE FERRANS SWORN IN AS BOE REP
Jake Ferrans, a rising senior at Livingston High School, was sworn in as the Student Representative to the Board of Education during the Board’s public meeting last Tuesday, June 20, 2023.
Welcome to the Board, Jake!
SCHOOL BOARD CANDIDATE KIT
DEADLINE IS 4PM ON JULY 31, 2023
Now is the time to consider school board candidacy for the Livingston Board of Education. In November, voters will elect one candidate to serve for a three year term. A candidate must file a nominating petition with the county clerk for his or her name to appear on the ballot during the annual school election. The deadline to submit the petition is 4 p.m. on Monday, July 31, 2023. The election is scheduled for Tuesday, November 7, 2023.
CONTACT INFO FOR EQUITY AUDITORS
LPS has hired an experienced, independent, third-party consulting firm that specializes in equity work, to conduct a full equity audit of the district. Over the course of the full audit period, which began on May 16, 2023 and will span four to six months, the auditors will engage in focus group discussions with members of the LPS community including staff, students, and parents.
Over the last several weeks, the Equity Auditors have been visiting our schools for the first round of onsite visits with students and teachers. They also met with LPS parents this month.
MOVING FORWARD:
The Equity Auditors will be opening up opportunities for affinity and/or identity based community groups to gather and speak with them. Detailed information will be advertised in the coming weeks.
If an individual would like to request an interview with the auditors, they can be reached via email at soswald@a2zequitycoaching.com. The Equity Auditors will do their best to ensure all voices are heard.
Thank you in advance for participating in this process and helping our district to continue to ensure that schools are places where equity, inclusion, anti-racism, and anti-bias are priorities. Additional information regarding our Equity Audit can be found on the LPS Equity Initiative webpage.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT! CHECK OUT 2023 GRADUATION PHOTOS HERE!
MAKING HISTORY: 3 GRADUATES HEAD TO WEST POINT
For the first time in Livingston High School history, three graduates -- Sophia Levitt, Heainz Manoj and Joey Shi -- will be heading to the United States Military Academy at West Point!
During a special ceremony to celebrate, and honor, the appointments of these three students to West Point, district administrators learned that not only is this the first time that a New Jersey high school is sending three students at one time to West Point, it is also the first time for this to occur in the entire northeast (across ten states)!
In addition, LHS grad Anna Kitamiya will be attending the United States Naval Academy.
"Each year, all of Livingston High School and the LHS School Counseling department are so proud of the post-secondary plans that each and every individual student embarks upon after graduation. We are so proud of our students pursuing college, trade schools, entering the workforce or enlisting in the military," said Sinead Crews, LPS Director of School Counseling. "This year, it is truly remarkable to celebrate four students in the Class of 2023 who are attending military academies!"
She continued, "Anna, Sophia, Heainz and Joey all represent the very best of LHS, they embody the pillars of the LPS Portrait of a Graduate and we are humbled and honored by their dedication and commitment to their future endeavors while serving their country. It is a huge accomplishment for each and every one of these students and their families; it is an honor to celebrate such an unbelievable feat!"
NATIONAL SCIENCE BEE WINNERS
Darsh Thakur (5th grade, Burnet Hill) and Avi Thakur (3rd grade, Burnet Hill) both won the National Science Bee in their respective divisions! The 2023 Elementary and Middle School National Championships of the International Academic Competitions were held in Arlington Virginia from June 1 - 4. These contests -- including the History Bee, Geography Gee, and Science bee -- are the academic equivalents of Scripps Spelling Bee. The participants in the national championships were determined by a combination of written exams and regional (i.e., state level) finals. The students were divided by their grades: 4th grade and under, 5th grade, 6th grade, 7th grade, and 8th grade.
With the wins, Darsh became a repeat National Champion (he had also won the National Science bee in 2022) and Avi became the first ever 3rd grader to win the National Science Bee (he was a semifinalist in 2022).
In addition, Darsh reached the semifinals of the National History Bee and also reached the quarterfinals of the International Geography Bee.
As a result of Darsh and Avi’s accomplishments, Burnet Hill is the only school in the nation to have two current IAC national champions!
MPM & HMS DEBATE TEAMS NEWS!
WOOD TECH STUDENTS CONTRIBUTE TO COURTYARD
Livingston High School Wood Technology students completed a beautiful, and useful, construction project this school year! Over the last few months of school, the students planned and built a shed in the courtyard garden of LHS. "They have demonstrated remarkable dedication, teamwork, and problem solving skills throughout this process," said their teacher, Ryan Karpack.
SUBSCRIPTION BUSING DEADLINE IS JULY 5TH!
The district provides free transportation for in-district students who live more than 2 miles from school in grades K-8; and more than 2.5 miles from the high school. Subscription busing is available for students who are not eligible for free busing. If you are unsure if you qualify for free transportation, please call the Transportation Department at 973-535-8000, x8013, BEFORE filling out the form.
STUDENT WORKING PAPERS UPDATE
The way teens obtain working papers in New Jersey has changed!
As of June 1, 2023, Working Papers for minors have gone digital. Minor workers, their caregivers, and employers all fill out their respective parts of our streamlined online application instead of using the old paper form. Visit my.workingpapers.nj.gov.
KINDERGARTEN ORIENTATION DATES
Welcome to all of our new kindergarten families! Please check your school’s calendar for June kindergarten orientation dates:
CARE SOLACE
OFFERS MENTAL HEALTH & SUBSTANCE USE SUPPORT
Livingston Public Schools believes that your mental health and well-being is a vital part to your success at our school. With this in mind, we have partnered with Care Solace to provide an extra layer of support to our entire community.
Livingston Public Schools students, staff members, and their families can use Care Solace to quickly find verified mental health, behavioral health, and substance use treatment options matched to their needs, regardless of circumstances. Care Solace’s team is available 24/7/365 and can support you in any language.
If you would like to use Care Solace to help you find a provider:
- Call 888-515-0595 (available 24/7/365)
- Visit www.caresolace.com/livingston and either search on your own OR click “Book Appointment” for assistance by video chat, email, or phone.
STAY CONNECTED WITH LPS!
LPS is committed to building strong relationships with students, families, and the community, and as such, we strive to provide accurate and timely information to our stakeholders.
Communication tools for parents include the Blackboard Mass Notification System, the LPS website (www.livingston.org), LPS Spotlight (our district newsletter), Facebook & Twitter (@LivSchools), Around the Block (the Superintendent's TV program), and various promotional videos that highlight our students and staff. Explore our communications tools here!
FOLLOW US!
EMPLOYMENT
Kiwanis Swim Karnival
LACD POOL PARTY
The Livingston Advisory Committee for Disabilities (LACD) will sponsor its second annual pool party for Livingston residents with special needs and their families on Thursday, August 10, 2023. The party will be held at Haines Pool, 10 Wahler Rd., Livingston, NJ and will run from 4:00 pm to 7pm. In the event of rain, the party will be held on Friday, August 11, at the same time and place. Participants should bring a swimsuit, towel, and sunscreen to this free party. Pizza and snacks will be available for guests. Please RSVP by August 1 by calling 973-535-7961, ext. 231, or e-mailing lacdlivingstonnj@gmail.com. To find out if this event has been cancelled due to inclement weather, e-mail lacdlivingstonnj@gmail.com or call 973-535-7961, ext. 231. You can visit us online at www.facebook.com/lacdnj or www.livingstonnj.org/LACD.
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CRISIS LIFELINE
LPS Spotlight
2022-2023 School Year / No. 22
Michelle Bent
Manager of Communications
Livingston Public Schools
(973) 535-8000 ext. 8036
Email: mbent@livingston.org
LPS Spotlight is the official e-newsletter of the Livingston Public Schools.