Superintendent Newsletter
Roxbury Public Schools
January 2024
Greetings and Happy 2024!
I hope this message finds you and your family well.
Upon review of the newsletter, if you have any questions or would like clarification on any item, please feel free to contact me at fsantora@roxbury.org.
Regards,
Frank Santora, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
Our Committed Staff
POG Staff Survey: One of the district's goals for the 2023-2024 school year is to "assess, review and revise the Portrait of a Graduate". The district has been actively soliciting feedback from the staff, students, parents and community members regarding our Portrait of a Graduate and the extent to which the current structure continues to be reflective of our community's values and priorities. I would like to thank the many staff members who completed the survey recently shared with them. Please know that your voice and perspective matter. If staff haven’t already done so, I kindly ask that you complete the survey at your earliest convenience.
Open Office Hours: As part of my continued efforts to support staff, this month I began holding open office hours in each of the school buildings. In blocking out an entire morning or afternoon at a particular school, I am able to meet with any staff member who would like to speak with me, on any given topic. Staff can opt to sign-up for a scheduled meeting or drop-in when they have a free moment. I will be continuing these office hours on a monthly basis moving forward. I would like to thank each and every staff member who I have had the opportunity of speaking with as part of these office hours. It has been a pleasure getting to know staff better as well as discussing their perspectives on the various topics that impact our district.
The Student Experience
On January 23, 2024, students at EMS participated in an assembly facilitated by guest speaker, Jordan Toma. Mr. Toma is a motivational speaker who spreads a message of hope, acceptance and inclusivity. His message to students on how to find “strength in their struggle” was well received and truly inspiring. In the evening, Mr. Toma provided a similar experience for parents and community members. The evening session was sponsored by the PTAs of EMS, Lincoln Roosevelt, Franklin, Jefferson, Kennedy and Nixon Elementary Schools. I would like to thank the PTAs for supporting this event.
On January 26, 2024, staff and students at Kennedy Elementary School celebrated Kindness with a very special celebration. I was lucky enough to attend the event and witness the culminating event -The Great Kindness Challenge. As a school community, KES was able to collect over 400 boxes of cereal to be donated to various food pantries in the local area. As a celebration, Ms. Acevedo, KES School Principal, Ms. Buckler, School Counselor and a few other key staff members arranged the cereal boxes in order for them to be knocked down in a domino effect. Witnessing the sheer joy and excitement on the faces of the students and staff as the cereal boxes were knocked down one by one with such momentum was such an amazing experience.
🏀 Earlier in January, I was able to cheer on our girls JV and Varsity basketball teams as they faced off against Madison. Our student athletes demonstrated such athleticism and determination during the difficult games. I am very proud of our students and coaching staff for their efforts throughout the season
On January 22, 2024, the Roxbury Varsity Boys' Basketball team celebrated Teacher Appreciation Night. While I was unable to attend due to the most recent Board of Education meeting, I was informed that it was a special occasion not only for our staff but for all individuals who were in attendance. Thank you to the RHS Basketball Parents’ club and the various individuals who worked to create such a fantastic night for our school community.
On January 24, 2024, RHS hosted an information session for 8th grade parents. The evening consisted of a comprehensive presentation on the programs and services offered at Roxbury High School. Student volunteers were also present to showcase the various clubs and organizations represented at the high school. The students were also instrumental in leading the parents/attendees on tours throughout the building. As an attendee, I was very impressed with the amount of parents who attended the event as well as with the input shared by the dedicated staff.
📣 Congratulations to Coach Cantwell and our Bowling team for recently being named County Champions! 🏆
Their commitment and precision continues to propel them from one win to the next. I was fortunate to attend their most recent match on January 31, 2024. Attending the event gave me the opportunity to not only witness our talented bowling team in action but also meet the parents and volunteers who were present to support and encourage our students!
For the photo below and more information about the team's achievements, click here to view the TAPintoRoxbury article. 🎳
Parent Involvement / Community
On January 18, 2024, I hosted the fourth Superintendent Coffee for the 2023-2024 school year. The session took place at Jefferson Elementary School and consisted of a presentation on Multi-Tiered Systems of Support or MTSS as it is often referred to as. The session also included a question and answer period. I would like to thank all of the parents and community members who attended the event. A copy of the presentation can be found here. Please be advised that the next Superintendent Coffee will take place on Thursday, February 29, 2024 at Lincoln Roosevelt School. The session will begin at 7pm and include a presentation. There will also be time allotted for a question and answer session.
On January 23, 2024, I had the honor of meeting with all of the PTA leadership team members from all of the schools throughout the district. As a group, we meet quarterly in order to review current and future activities. These meetings also provide the participants with the opportunity to discuss any item of concern as well as develop a plan of how to move forward. I am incredibly grateful to each and every member of the PTAs throughout the district for their unwavering support of our students, staff and community.
Roxbury Township Public Schools
Website: roxbury.org
Location: 42 North Hillside Avenue, Succasunna, NJ, USA
Phone: 973-584-6099
"Preparing the children of today for tomorrow" is an elaborate venture. Through our district's "Schoolhouse ROX: A POGcast", members of our learning community will tell you all about a wide variety of programs, opportunities, and much much more. As a comprehensive public school district, we are committed to ensuring that each and every student is afforded learning experiences that will afford them a wide array of experiences that support their journey toward a fulfilling adult life. Click on the logo shown to hear our most recent POGcast and view our library of previous recordings.