District Newsletter
Greetings,
We have reached the end of the first month of the 2023-24 school year, and I hope it has proven to be a good start for everyone! Walking through our school buildings, I have seen smiling faces, engaged students, conscientious teachers and lots of good work. Well done to all!
As superintendent, I am often asked about my job, the district and the Haddonfield community at large. During this past week, I attended a conference in Arizona, and I heard many of the same questions. “What is your district like? What kind of community is Haddonfield? What distinguishes your experience from others?”
In all honesty, the first word that comes to mind is “supportive.”
Like other school districts throughout the United States, Haddonfield has needs and wants, but what we have that sets us apart from many other districts are consistent, thorough, creative and generous levels of support from numerous organizations.
In giving a few examples, I risk overlooking someone, but I’d like to specifically point out certain groups of people who have been crucial to our success as a school system.
The HET is dedicated to enhancing educational excellence of the Haddonfield Public Schools and has awarded more than $82,000 to support Haddonfield's innovative teachers since 2016. Additionally, HET has purchased playground equipment and has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for the HMHS Campus Beautification project and the HMHS auditorium.
The Haddonfield Foundation awards grants to Haddonfield non-profits that directly impact the school, such as the Preserving Black Haddonfield History Project.
The PTA
Members of the Haddonfield PTAs are simply spectacular. Their contributions are essential to maintaining a positive school climate and sense of community. Whether providing “we appreciate you” lunches for teachers, organizing student contests, planning and funding a brand new playground, these active groups also manage a complex year of fundraising that allows them to continue their day-to-day support.
Booster Clubs
Ask any coach or athlete on any of our numerous teams, and they will tell you that our booster clubs never fail to come through. Booster clubs consist of parents, alumni, and community members who share the goal of providing additional financial and logistical support to HMHS sports programs.
The HEA
Throughout the school year, the Haddonfield Education Association hosts a variety of events in support of staff, administration and students. These include new teacher lunches, the annual Leadership Dinner, group book club activities, cooking classes, craft-making, and much more. Additionally, their funding is used for all of the school fairs, scholarships for graduating seniors, sponsoring a family at holiday time, town-wide events such as the upcoming music festival and Juneteenth. Their tireless efforts bring different members of our school family together, promote student and staff initiatives and reinforce common goals that help to define us as a community.
Parents
At a critical level of support are our parents. Haddonfield parents are active participants in the educational process; coming to meetings, communicating, sharing ideas, pitching in. Parents support individual classrooms, serve as Playground Ambassadors, volunteer to read aloud, collaborate with teachers and consistently show their appreciation of our hard-working staff.
The staff and students of the Haddonfield School District have benefited from the support of these and other groups for a long time, and it is important to thank them. Rest assured that I do not take the extraordinary generosity of our wonderful community for granted. Your enthusiastic, regular support of all we do is essential to our continued success as an excellent school district!
Thank you, all.
Chuck Klaus, Superintendent of Schools
J.F. Tatem Elementary School Named National Blue Ribbon School
We are proud to shout the news that J. Fithian Tatem Elementary School has been named a 2023 National Blue Ribbon School (NBRS).
This announcement, coming from U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, September 19, placed Tatem among only 353 public and private schools honored nationwide.
The NBRS program is one of the U.S. Department of Education’s (DOE) longest-running recognition programs, celebrating outstanding public and non-public elementary, middle, and high schools based on their overall high academic achievement or success in closing the achievement gap among diverse groups of students.
Each year, the NBRS process begins when the state departments of education identify and nominate outstanding schools to the U.S. DOE. Once schools are nominated, they are invited to apply for the award. After a rigorous review process, the U.S. DOE awards NBRS status to select schools in affirmation of the hard work of students, educators, families, and communities in creating safe and welcoming schools where students thrive.
“I am so proud of our staff, students and families for working together to achieve high academic expectations and to foster a caring and supportive school community,” said Donnetta Beatty, principal of J.F. Tatem. “This award is a result of real teamwork, talent and hard work by all members of our school family.”
In addition to school and district celebrations, there will be a formal presentation and ceremony in Washington, D.C. in mid-November.
Watch the U.S. Department of Education video announcement.
Check out Tatem's NBRS profile here.
Elementary School Calendars to be REVISED
In May, elementary parents and staff were surveyed about the schedule of parent-teacher conferences held in the fall. After reviewing the opinions gathered, the administration made a recommendation to the Board to move elementary conferences from December to November, 2023.
Last night, the Board voted to accept that recommendation. Because this was a "first reading," the revised calendar must be approved as a second reading at the October 19th meeting. Pending approval of the second reading, the new schedule for elementary conferences will be:
November 16: Evening Conferences
November 20: Afternoon Conferences (½ day student, full day teachers)
November 21: Evening Conferences (½ day students and teachers)
November 22: Morning Conferences (no students; ½ day teachers)
We believe that the new schedule will offer parents and teachers earlier opportunities to confer about student progress. Thank you for your patience and understanding!
PLEASE NOTE: The middle school / high school calendar will not change.
Haddonfield School District in the News
1. NATIONAL RANKING by U.S. News
In late August, U.S. News released its 2023-24 Best High Schools list, and Haddonfield Memorial High School was included, earning high national (top 4%) and metro-area rankings.
Here is our updated U.S. News profile page, with details about all rankings.
2. NICHE.COM RANKINGS for New Jersey schools
Haddonfield School District is among the top 25 school districts in New Jersey, according to new rankings from the education platform Niche. Using up-to-date data available from dozens of public data sources along with reviews from students, parents, and residents, HSD is ranked #8 with a grade of A+. Read the Niche story here.
3. ABC NEWS story about how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted learning loss across Pennsylvania and New Jersey
(from the ABC6 Action News website, August 25, 2023:)
"The COVID-19 pandemic interrupted education nationwide, setting students back in their studies. On average, U.S. students fell behind about half a year in math and a quarter of a year in reading from 2019 to 2022. ... In Haddonfield, New Jersey, where almost no students qualify for subsidized lunch, learners lost just a tenth of a grade level in math and actually gained a fifth of a year in reading."
Read the whole story here; scroll down for clickable maps and scatter graphs.
Nominate a deserving HSD Educator for the Governor's Educator of the Year Program
Do you know a classroom teacher or educational services professional who is dedicated, inspiring, and making a difference? If so, please take the time to recommend this person for the Governor’s Educator of the Year Program by completing the online nomination form linked below.
Haddonfield School District has been honored recently with both a State Teacher of the Year award winner, Kim Dickstein Hughes (2019) and a County Teacher award winner, Ron Smith (2023).
Administrators, staff members, students, parents, and community members are encouraged to participate.
Click here for more information and the nomination form!
The deadline is FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 3 at noon.
Meet New SRO, Kirk Earney
The Haddonfield School District (HSD) is proud to introduce Kirk Earney as the district’s new School Resource Officer (SRO).
The SRO assists school leadership in terms of school safety, while also serving as an educator and informal counselor. Earney will maintain a regular presence at the high school, but will also take the approach of “community policing,” randomly visiting all three elementary schools and the middle school throughout the year.
“It is important to me that all HSD staff, students and their families recognize me as a supportive member of the community, someone whose presence is not necessarily associated with an emergency,” said Earney. “I look forward to spending time in all five schools and getting to know the people and the routines of the greater HSD family.”
Officer Earney is a 25-year veteran of the Haddon Township Police Department. During his tenure there, he was part of the L.E.A.D. (Law Enforcement Against Drugs) program, formerly known as D.A.R.E., Drug Abuse Resistance Education. Earney was also active in the Adopt-a-Cop program for third-graders.
After retirement, he became a Class 2 Officer in Haddonfield and has been a familiar face in the downtown area. Earney coaches cross country at Christ the King school and has been a Boy Scout leader for 14 years. Welcome, Officer Earney!
2023-24 Updated COVID-19 Guidelines
Due to an uptick in cases nationwide, we have posted updated COVID-19 guidelines to our website.
- Testing is recommended for students/staff with COVID-19 Symptoms.
- If you test positive for COVID-19, please contact your school nurse.
Specific information and more details can be found on this single-page document. Thank you!
Create a Family Charter
In the last few years, Haddonfield School District classrooms have developed their own class charters. Class charters are just one of the tools of the R.U.L.E.R. program used throughout the district.
R.U.L.E.R. is an acronym for the five skills of emotional intelligence: recognizing, understanding, labeling, expressing, and regulating emotions. It is a systemic approach to social-emotional learning (SEL) developed at the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence. The Center works with schools to help them understand the value of emotions, build the skills of emotional intelligence, and create and maintain positive emotional climates.
A class charter is the first R.U.L.E.R. tool introduced in the classroom. Its purpose is to create a positive culture and climate through agreed-upon rules or guidelines for how everyone would like to be treated in class. The charter helps children understand that they have the right to be safe and happy while they receive their education.
To get the classroom charter process started, teachers and students focused on questions such as:
1. How do you want to feel in our classroom?
2. How can I help myself feel that way?
3. How can I help others feel that way?
Families, you too can create your own charters as well! Click here for steps to create a family charter, designed to validate and broaden social and emotional skill learning at home.
Preserving Black Haddonfield History Walking Tour is October 7
The Preserving Black Haddonfield History Project's (PBHHP) first official walking tour is set to take place on Saturday, October 7 at 10 a.m. It will include 12 sites, beginning at Centennial Field (Park Place and Lincoln Avenue). The suggested donation for participation in the walking tour is $10. Cash donations will be collected on-site.
The Preserving Black Haddonfield History Project is a sub-committee of the Haddonfield Alumni Society (HAS) under the leadership of President Joseph Serico, Ed.D. Click here for a list of co-founders, partners, and sponsors.
Additional information about The Preserving Black Haddonfield History Project is available here.
Elizabeth Haddon Third Graders Create Dream Balloons
In Ashlea Comfort's third-grade class, students completed "dream balloons," creative expressions of each student's particular goals for the school year. These balloons will be shared at the end of the year, providing a concrete reminder of what they have accomplished!
HMHS Students Recognized by the National Merit Corporation
Haddonfield Memorial High School (HMHS) senior(s) received recognition by The National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC).
Student ALEXANDER NUCKOLS (above left, pictured with HMHS principal Tammy McHale) has been named a Semifinalist in the 69th annual National Merit Scholarship Program.
Students who received Letters of Commendation are pictured below with principal McHale. Left to right, they are: McHale, Daniel Plum, Matthew Zappetti, Jack Novak, Brian Meng, Ryan Cataldo, Ava Peifer, Cole Bauman, Loudon Vest, Jack Tarditi, and Gavin Gibson. Absent from photo: David Ma, Andrew O'Donnell, and Anna Poacelli.
Congratulations to all!
Playground Ambassadors Needed
We are looking for midday aides at our elementary schools! These important staff members assist on the playgrounds, in the cafeteria and in the auditorium.
Please take a look at the Playground Ambassadors flyer posted on our website. It includes all information you need as well as an "apply here" link.
These are part time, paid positions that follow the district calendar so parents and their children can be in school on the same schedule. Thank you for your consideration.
Take Advantage of ParentSquare, our School and District Communications App
Parents, we use ParentSquare to communicate with you via text or email.
We encourage you to download the app and register with ParentSquare so that you can take advantage of settings such as how and when you will receive school communications.
Here are some helpful tips and instructions:
Click here to download the mobile app.
Click here for instructions how to register for PS from the app.
Watch the "getting started" video here.
Manage PS account settings here.
Thank you!
