This past spring, we asked our community to respond to a survey regarding their preference on the elementary school model for grades 2 - 5. As expected, feedback varied among sub-groups: parents, teachers, high school students, community members, elementary parents, middle school parents, high school parents, etc. However, overall, when including the no preference responses, the data showed an approximate 50/50 split between model preferences.

• We were able to reach many of our community members. One informational document was opened over 2800 times, another one was opened over 2100 times, and the QR code was scanned over 1100 times.
• A total of 424 individuals responded to the survey

At this time, the District is still considering both options; however, it is important that we share:

• The Superintendent & District Central Administration do believe a grade level schools model WILL enhance the overall instructional and educational services provided to our students. As it is our job to continue to grow and focus on the learning of our students, our academic programs, opportunities, and effectiveness, we must share this belief with our community. We believe a grade level structure will help us in building a stronger foundation of learning for our children.
• By keeping all grade level staff together, staff will be able to work together on curriculum & instruction while collaborating & planning together throughout the entire school year. Grade level staff members will see each other much more frequently than they do now which is only during in-services - a few times a year.
• The District Central Administration also believes this model will allow us to utilize our resources in the best manner possible (staffing, money, program assignment, time, etc.) to meet the needs of our students.
• Since our grade level sizes are over 200 students (closer to 230 - 250), student placement options will be more flexible with more options, too. There will be 10 - 12 teachers in a grade level instead of 5 - 6 in one building.
• Although we will not know until students actually enter LMS in the 6th grade, District Central Administration do believe by keeping our students together relationships among students will improve when entering the middle school years - which is the #1 issue our students say they need help and support to resolve. (peer-to-peer relationships)

Interestingly, even for families who selected different preferred models, one thing agreed upon, over 70% of our respondents, was the belief that having students move together as a grade level will improve peer to peer relationships when they enter 6th grade at LMS.

It is important that you take time to review the website below if you were unable to attend one of our community meetings. Videos are posted in both English and Spanish. You can also find this information on our Lindenwold website - under the PARENTS TAB.

The Superintendent will be sharing more information about the Grade Level School Model (including details regarding transportation and staggered school starting times) during our Back-to-School / Open House Night. Questions posed in the survey will be answered during the Back-to-School informational session.

The goal of the Superintendent is to decide this fall as to the definite structure of our schools for 2025 - 2026.

Regardless of where your child attends school THIS school year, the following structure is CONFIRMED for students next year (25 - 26):

Early Childhood Center: All PK Kindergarten & 1st Grade Students

(Grades 2 - 5: To Be Determined)

LMS: All 6th, 7th, 8th Grade Students

LHS: All 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th Students

Please note: Every comment, question, and every opinion was read in its entirety. We thank you for your feedback, and we are already working hard to address many of the areas you identified, too.

This year summer information will begin to be mailed out around August 21st. If you do not receive information by your building principal by MONDAY, AUGUST 26th, please contact your child's school and someone will assist you.

Our District / School website will include all up-to-date information by August 21st for the 24-25 school year. We are in the process of replacing and revising our posted information from the previous year.

Our bus pass mailing date has yet to be announced. Stay tuned!

Our dress code pilot will continue for one more year. We did note a significant reduction in dress code violations at the conclusion of the first year of the pilot - especially at LHS. There are some areas that need your help in for additional attention/support:

• Pajama pants are not permitted to be worn during the school day.
• Shirts must cover one's back and abdomen region. Crop tops are not permitted to be worn during the school day.
• Hoodies and hats may not be worn in school during the school day. (This is a school safety issue as we do need to see everyone's full faces when in a school building.)

We thank our entire community for working with us as students transitioned from a school uniform policy to a dress code pilot policy. Please see the below webpage for more information.

August 5th - 7th:

Kindegarten Orientation

September 4th:

LMS Grade 5 Orientation 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm

September 5th:

Preschool Open House 6:00 pm -7:00 pm

September 6th:

Grade 9 Orientation 9:45 am - 12:00 pm

September 9th:

First day of school for all students

September 17th

School 4 and School 5 Open House

September 19th:

Evening: LMS Open House

September 26th

LHS Open House

Fall Evening Conferences:

Preschool: 12/10/24 (note the month change)

School 4 & School 5: 12/11/24 (note the month change)

LMS:11/25/24

LHS: 11/26/24

PK, Elementary & LMS Spring Conferences:

Spring Afternoon Conferences 3/18, 3/19

LMS Promotion Ceremony: June 17th

LHS Graduation: June 18th

The District has partnered once again with a before and after school program called - CHAMPIONS. For more information, please visit our District webpage:

The District does not have a required school supply list for OUR ELEMENTARY students. The District will provide students with all necessary school supplies such as: folders, crayons, pencils, etc. for students in Preschool, School 4, and School 5.

Families may wish to purchase backpacks and lunch boxes. The District also receives donations of backpacks, too, which may be shared with students. If you are in need of a bookbag for your child, please contact your child’s school. We are happy to assist you.

While the District does not require specific supplies, teachers' may be included in the summer mailing or on their individual websites.

The District's Safety Specialist, Ms. Adrienne McManis, has continued her dedicated focus on the safety of our staff and students throughout the Lindenwold School District. You can reach her using this email address: amcmanis@lindenwold.k12.nj.us.

Please take some time to review the below important safety measures:

Identification:

One measure will include the requirement that ALL students, staff, approved guests, and substitutes are required to wear a school issued ID each day.

Middle and high school students will receive a temporary ID on the first day of school in homeroom. Permanent IDs will be provided following school picture days, which will occur later in the fall.

Food Delivery Services:

Food delivery services will be denied access and will be turned away from any of our schools during normal business hours. Please be aware, if this results in a loss of student money, the student assumes that risk. This is a violation of school district safety procedures.

Side Door Access:

Students opening side doors for unauthorized guests (family or friends) and food delivery services will receive consequences aligned to compromising the safety of our staff and students within the building.

Elementary First Day of School Information:

Elementary Students will be mailed a name tag in their “Welcome Back to School” informational mailing in late August. Mailings will take place around 8/21 and you should receive your information no later than 8/26. Students will then receive their permanent ID tag which will be connected to their book bag on the first day of school. Please leave this tag connected to your child’s bookbag for the entire year, as it will assist in the dismissal process each day.

ALL grade 5 - 12 students will be required to wear their IDs starting on day 1 of school, September, 8th. This visual identifier will help school staff quickly know who has been approved to be inside our schools as well as on our school property. Bus drivers will also require these IDs to properly identify students on their bus.

Head Coverings:

Students may NOT wear hoods or head coverings (hats, ball caps, head wraps, etc.) of any kind during the school day in common areas: cafeteria, hallways, gymnasium, etc. Head coverings compromise our ability to visually identify students / staff/ guest faces on our camera system. Disregarding this guideline is considered a violation of student/staff/school safety procedures. (Exception: A religious exemption regarding head coverings will be granted; however, documentation and a meeting with administration will be required prior to receiving an approval.)

Note: Often students prefer a head covering when he/she is in need of a hair cut. PLEASE contact the school if you need assistance in this area. We have resources that can assist. We want ALL of our students to feel comfortable and good about themselves.

Cell Phones & Communication Apps on Smart Watches:

Grades PK - 8 may not have cell phones during the school day. This protocol begins the moment a student steps off the school bus. Students will be asked one time in a school day to put their phone away in their backpack or locker. Phones should remain in backpacks or lockers. After that one request, the phone will be confiscated by an administrator. Phones will only be released to a parent. Phones will not be returned to a child.

Note: This does include using a smart watch and its communication features (ie. as a cell phone). Smart watches used as a "watch" will be permitted unless a student begins to use the communication features.

Grades PK - 12: Students may not use their personal cell phones to randomly record or photograph other students during the school day. Only school related photographs may be taken during the school day by school district student photographers or by school staff.

School district photographers or school staff ONLY use photographs for the following identified school purposes: communication with families, commemorating celebrations or unique experiences, or for school promotional purposes.

However, ANY student who chooses to video record or photograph during the school day - including but not limited to - inappropriate student behavior for the purpose of personal entertainment, humiliation, bullying, or harassment will be disciplined in accordance with the Code of Conduct and District Policy. Furthermore, any student caught SHARING photographs/videos of other students for the purposes of bullying, harassment, humiliation, etc. will also be disciplined in accordance with our Code of Conduct and District Policy.

(Exception: "OLDER" students may be granted permission on rare occasions to photograph celebratory group experiences such as: Pep Rallies, Homecoming, Prom, etc. Administration will make an announcement to students when these "exceptions" are approved.)

Please review the District information regarding the Harrasment, Intimidation, and Bullying Reporting Process (HIB). Reports may be shared with ANY District Staff Member; however, the following individuals are always available to assist you:

Dr. Kristin P O'Neil - Superintendent

koneil@lindenwold.k12.nj.us

PK Principal:

JPatterson@lindenwold.k12.nj.us

School 4 Principal:

DLawrence@lindenwold.k12.nj.us

School 5 Principal:

Smartinez-preyor@lindenwold.k12.nj.us

LMS Principal:

Alugo@lindenwold.k12.nj.us

LHS Principal:

FGeardino@lindenwold.k12.nj.us

Amber Callow: Community & Inclusion Coordinator / District HIB Specialist

agresik-callow @lindenwold.k12.nj.us

All complaints & concerns are taken very seriously and thoroughly investigated.

To understand the HIB process, please visit the following District webpage:

https://www.lindenwold.k12.nj.us/Page/441

The District uses a District App that allows our students and community report concerns directly from their phone or from our District website. Concerns may be reported anonymously OR you may choose to identify your name. Immediately after a concern is submitted the Superintendent and Building Administration are alerted.

You can access STOP IT on our main webpage:

https://www.lindenwold.k12.nj.us/Domain/4

or on our District Safety Page:

https://www.lindenwold.k12.nj.us/Page/1508

OR from your phone. Download the App.

Information has been mailed out to our families who have registered their children for kindergarten. If you are interested in your future kindergarten student attending our orientation, please contact Lindenwold School District's Registration Office.

https://www.lindenwold.k12.nj.us/registration

You can find all previous editions of the Lion's Roar on the Staff Resources page.

Email: koneil@lindenwold.k12.nj.us
Website: www.lindenwold.k12.nj.us
Location: 803 Egg Harbor Road, Lindenwold, NJ, USA
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LindenwoldPublicSchoolDistrict
Twitter: @LWSch_District