LPS Spotlight

• Board of Education Meeting Tonight
• WATCH PARENT PROGRAM - "What to Expect: The Teenage Years"
• "Right to Dream" Performance at MPMS
• District Strings Day
• Students in the News: Robotics and more!
• Elementary Happenings
• Lancer News

The Livingston Board of Education will hold a public meeting at 7PM tonight, Tuesday, February 7, 2023 in the Central Office, 11 Foxcroft Drive. The agenda includes a student musical performance, the annual Comprehensive Financial Report, an Equity Presentation, and a Mid-Year District Goals Update.

Tonight's meeting will be held in a hybrid format during which participants will have the ability to ask questions and make comments either in person or via the webinar. Register for the webinar using the link below. The meeting will also be livestreamed on the district's Facebook page, @LivSchools.

View Public Comment Guidelines.

FREE EVENT AT MPMS ON FEBRUARY 17, 2023

In honor of Black History Month, Mt. Pleasant Middle School (MPMS) will host Living Voices, an educational theater that presents diverse performances uniquely combined with archival film to bring life to history. On Friday, February 17, 2023 at 6PM, Living Voices will present "The Right to Dream" in the MPMS auditorium. This free event is open to all LPS students and their families, however, please note that violent events in the film may be disturbing for very young audiences.

The production of The Right to Dream recreates historical periods with accurate and authentic detail. Experiencing history as participants can help audiences develop understanding and empathy for others. The Right to Dream explores racial violence and the common use of racial epithets during this era.

Livingston Public Schools' Music Department recently celebrated District Strings Day! This school year, on this special day, all of the fifth grade string students from every elementary school were visited by either Mrs. Nancy Ciminnisi, the Livingston High School Orchestra Director, or Mrs. Karen Kott, the Heritage Middle School Orchestra Director. The two Orchestra Directors worked with the violinists, violists, and cellists as they proudly played their pieces. At the end of each session, every fifth grader was given a letter of encouragement, written by LHS Orchestra students, who recalled their early days of playing strings in elementary school. The elementary students also had the opportunity to ask the HMS and LHS orchestra teachers questions about what it is like to play in the orchestra in middle school and high school. It was a wonderful day to celebrate all that the district's fifth grade string students are accomplishing and a look into what the future holds for them in the LPS Orchestra Program!

Kindergarten Registration for the 2023-2024 school year is open! All registration will be done via our online registration portal. Children must be 5 on or before October 1, 2023 to register for kindergarten. LEARN MORE ABOUT KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION.

*PLEASE NOTE THAT LPS WILL BE ACCEPTING REGISTRATION FOR KINDERGARTEN ONLY BEGINNING ON JANUARY 18TH. REGISTRATION FOR ALL OTHER GRADES WILL OPEN IN THE SPRING.

FULL DAY NOW OFFERED!

Livingston Public Schools is proud to share that our P.R.I.D.E. (Pre-School Readiness Individual Developmental Education) Program will now be a full day program with spots available for non-disabled preschool students. In this program, students will be provided with a language rich, research-based curriculum. They will spend their days with New Jersey certified teachers, and with their disabled and non-disabled peers, to achieve the expectations of the school district’s well-designed curriculum based on New Jersey's Student Learning Standards for preschool. The students gather daily to develop social language, work as partners and in groups, and explore, play, create, share, and learn.

Scheduling details of the program will be shared with families who apply for consideration. Currently, the cost for students selected by lottery is $7,200 for the full school year. The program will follow the school district’s calendar.

LEARN MORE ABOUT OR REGISTER FOR THE PRIDE PRESCHOOL PROGRAM

On January 11, 2023, the LPS Student Assistance Program offered "What to Expect: The Teenage Years," a program aimed to empower parents with practical strategies to help their teens build resilience and utilize skills for independent, emotionally healthy development. The workshop explored what parents can do to strengthen their relationships with their teens and support them through their teenage years. The program was presented by Kristin Dunne, LCSW and Kim Clerie, LSW, clinicians at Jewish Family Service of MetroWest NJ in the Child & Adolescent Department. Both Kristin and Kim provide outpatient mental health services to children and families within the community.

WATCH A RECORDING OF THE PROGRAM HERE!

The Livingston Health Department shared useful information to help parents determine if their sick child is experiencing a cold, the flu, RSV or COVID-19. View this information, as well as prevention tips to help keep everyone healthy this school year!

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!

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.

This is a FREE and CONFIDENTIAL service provided by LPS. Learn more about Care Solace.

The Livingston High School Choir Program is working to increase the visibility program and to highlight the accomplishments of its students. One new initiative is Choir Member of the Month! "Choir Member of the Month is based on people who have been working hard in their section to learn repertoire, doing a really great job with their vocal part, maybe just helping to put choir folders away," said LHS senior Daniella Krasney, who is serving as the LHS Choir Program's Membership Advocate this school year. "It's really just someone who is setting a great example for the rest of the members!" Congratulations to the first four LHS Choir Members of the Month!

Livingston High School recently hosted military representatives during the unit lunch. LHS students had the opportunity to meet members of the Navy, Arm, National Guard and Marines and learn about the opportunities available to them through military service. Some students even accepted physical fitness challenges like the ammo box press and push ups!

The Livingston High School Senior Internship Program is an opportunity for seniors to gain real-world work experience. This program is available to Grade 12 students in good academic standing who are on track to graduate in June 2023. The program, which empowers students to take ownership of their education by pursuing an internship in a specific area of interest, is scheduled to begin on May 22, 2023, and conclude on June 16, 2023. During these four weeks, students will get an inside view of what their futures may look like.

Students who are interested in learning more about participating in the internship program should contact Mr. Dan Quackenbush by email at dquackenbush@livingston.org.

Visit our Employment Opportunities webpage to learn more about available positions at Livingston Public Schools.

Follow @LivSchoolsTEAM on Twitter where we highlight LPS employees and careers!

The FCC recently approved a new 3-digit dialing code, 988, for mental health crisis and suicide prevention. The 988 line operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for calls, texts, and chat. Learn more about the new nationwide 3-digit dialing code for crisis and suicide prevention.

LPS Spotlight

2022-2023 School Year / No. 11

Michelle Bent

Communications & Community Outreach Coordinator

Livingston Public Schools

(973) 535-8000 ext. 8036

Email: mbent@livingston.org

www.livingston.org

LPS Spotlight is the official e-newsletter of the Livingston Public Schools.

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