District Newsletter
April 11, 2024: Work Session
April 25, 2024: Regular Meeting, Budget Adoption
All meetings are held at 7:00 p.m. in the high school library.
Board of Education meetings are open to the public and will continue to be live-streamed:
Link to Live-Streamed Meetings
Presentations from Recent Board Meetings:
FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT
GREETINGS!
Insight into an organization’s values can come in many forms, but the clearest sign is where the organization invests. Haddonfield School District (HSD) invests time in growing its staff professionally, providing education and extracurricular opportunities for its students, and offering families involvement in the educational experiences. Another type of investment is monetary, and the largest part of the HSD budget provides salaries and benefits for our staff. The teachers and support staff are the backbone of our institution and arguably the most significant reason for our success. They certainly deserve the lion’s share of funding.
At the February 29th Board meeting, Business Administrator and Board Secretary Michael Catalano presented the Preliminary 2024-25 Budget. The final budget will be approved on April 25, 2024.
Challenges are abundant in a budget restricted by a maximum 2% increase in tax levy. Other factors making it difficult to balance the budget are significant increases in the costs of benefits (12% increase) and contracted professional services (40% increase). Even with these factors, the 2024-25 budget includes two new special education teachers, a cyber safety program, a new math curriculum for grades K-5, significant expansion and improvements of business offerings at the high school, and behavioral support programs at Haddonfield Middle School. We continue supporting our 1-to-1 Chromebook program, revising our curriculum, and improving our N.J. multiple-tier system of supports.
Looking deeper into the budget, one sees additional areas where we invest, sending a message about what else we value. The school district spends over $1 million each year supporting extracurricular activities; this includes staff stipends, equipment, supplies, and more. These activities provide the perfect opportunity to extend learning experiences outside of the school day and expose students to life skills and lessons of responsibility. The 2024-25 budget also includes a new turf field on the Hopkins parcel adjacent to Haddonfield Memorial High School (HMHS).
HSD extracurricular activities include:
Drama clubs at HMS and HMHS, both with fall plays and spring musicals.
Concerts in the winter and spring including the Madrigal’s Dessert Theater performance every December.
An established and growing dance program and team at the high school.
One of the most successful athletic programs in the state, with 27 high school teams and 8 middle school teams serving more than 1,400 students.
Nearly 150 student clubs and activities, offering extracurricular experiences in academics, arts, community service, affinity groups, and general interests at all three school levels.
Student government, student voice groups, and Peer Leadership programs.
The allocation of funds to support these activities is not frivolous. Student engagement in school culture and climate adds to student engagement in the classroom. With participation in extracurriculars above 90% in HMHS, this is a solid investment in helping our students grow.
Stepping back, it is easy to see the picture that the 2024–25 budget paints. HSD’s investment of time and money in our teachers, our programs, and opportunities for our students makes our school community a special place.
Chuck Klaus, Superintendent of Schools
DISTRICT NEWS
Welcome Michael McHale, New Principal of HMS
Michael McHale will serve as principal of Haddonfield Middle School (HMS), beginning July 1, 2024. Currently the principal of Delran Middle School, he brings many years of teaching and administrative experience to Haddonfield.
With bachelor's degrees from both Saint Joseph’s University and Stockton College, McHale served as a special education teacher for one year before accepting a job as middle school math teacher in Delran. He was the 2001 recipient of New Jersey Department of Education’s Distinguished Teacher Candidate Award and the 2013 Delran Middle School Teacher of the Year.
In 2017, after teaching for 15 years and earning his master's degree in educational leadership from Rowan University, he became assistant principal of the middle school, advancing to principal in 2020.
McHale was selected from over 30 applicants. He participated in four rounds of interviews, including a panel of teachers, parents, administrators, and support staff and a student interview panel.
“We interviewed many excellent candidates for this position,” said Dr. Gino Priolo, Haddonfield’s assistant superintendent. “Panelists praised Mr. McHale’s extensive experience and believe he will seamlessly integrate into the school culture. Moreover, I was impressed with his poise and a clear commitment to ensuring that students have the best possible middle school education.”
As a first step in this new role, McHale will immerse himself in the school community.
“I look forward to getting to know the staff, students and families, and I expect that we will work together to create goals for whole school improvement,” he said. “A collaborative team can impact so many students and families; I know we can make good things happen.”
Middle school families can expect a personal letter of introduction from McHale in the future.
Summer Enrichment Program Announced
Haddonfield School District (HSD) has announced its tuition-free summer program, open to any current K-8 HSD student. Class sessions are designed to provide participants with various fun, engaging enrichment opportunities via hands-on, interactive, project-based learning activities. All instructors are HSD certified teachers. Space is limited, so be sure to register by the deadline: Wednesday, April 10 at 12 p.m.
To access the 2024 Summer Enrichment website, click here.
New Curriculum Website Launched
In recent months, they have created a new curriculum website to make the information easier for families and staff to access, to keep information all in one place, and to provide the information in a completely transparent manner.
Please note: this website is continuously developing. As each content-area is audited and revised, the format of the information will be made consistent as it is added to the site.
HMHS Held World Language Honor Society Induction Ceremony
The annual HMHS World Language Honor Society induction ceremony was held on March 19. Opening and closing ceremony hosts were seniors Clementine Thayer and Brian Meng. They welcomed everyone in multiple languages, and Brian Meng played the piano as the faculty and student world language procession entered the auditorium. They then introduced the guest speaker, HMHS Spanish teacher Michael Donnelly, who encouraged inductees to remember that learning another language is their superpower.
Three portions of the ceremony were led by the officers of the French, German and Spanish Honor Societies. New inductees recited a pledge in their studied language as current members gathered around them in support. Counting both current members and inductees, 154 students were honored this year. Dana Gravinese, HMHS American Sign Language (ASL) teacher, led the final induction of the evening, her student Richard McEntire, who signed his induction pledge using ASL. Congratulations to all!
HMHS held its Fourth Annual Equity Summit
On Friday, March 22, approximately 60 students representing all four grades participated in large and small group activities for the fourth annual Equity Summit. Students shared information, opinions and feelings that helped everyone to recognize and discuss issues related to individual and group identities, judgements and assumptions. Other topics included school groups and overall environment, bias and bullying, the feeling of belonging, and strategies for confronting challenges.
A highlight of the day was the guest speaker, Cam Awesome, a former boxer and inspirational speaker. Speaking to the entire HMHS student body, he shared what boxing taught him: mental toughness, gratitude, cultural awareness, and how to develop a championship mindset.
Facilitators were faculty members Rachel Flynn, Rachel Gould, Alice Lee, Jess Miller, Holly Penna, Stacey Brown-Downham and Dean of Students Hamisi Tarrant.
Central Hosted their Second Annual Math & Literacy Family Game Night
On March 21, Central families enjoyed the Second Annual Math & Literacy Family Game Night. Attendees played math and literacy games such as TENZI and Tapple and had fun polling their friends as to their favorite movies and movie theater concessions! Families also spent time reading books together and learning about available resources such as Sora, a digital reading app. To end the night, staff raffled off almost 20 items including all the games and books they had on display!
Grand Camp: Youth Leadership Academy held at HMS
Non-profit organization The Best Day of My Life So Far has launched Grand Camp: Youth Leadership Academy at HMS as part of the Gifted and Talented (G&T) curriculum.
This four-week program will guide eighth-grade G&T students to connect with older adults in their local communities and to become more active, compassionate listeners. Partnership planning began seven months ago, and the program kicked off before the four-week learning and fieldwork period.
Guiding this program are Tina Papa, HMS eighth-grade Language Arts and Gifted and Talented Program teacher; HMHS freshman Harrison Berman, The Best Day youth ambassador; former HMS principal Hamisi Tarrant; and The Best Day of My Life So Far founder and HSD elementary parent, Benita Cooper.
6ABC visited HMS on February 20 to learn more about the program. Their report is here. Read the Haddonfield Sun story here.
April is Disabilities Awareness Month
While we recognize that the Haddonfield community embraces and supports students of ALL abilities ALL year, April provides special opportunities. This month, we will acknowledge and celebrate our students' unique abilities, needs, and differences.
In addition to reading lists, weekly celebrity recognition, coloring projects, and neurodivergent-themed events, students may choose to celebrate by means of the following dress-up days!
AAPI Book Club to Discuss "Good Talk"
You are invited to join Alice Lee (Child Study team member and the Asian American Culture Club advisor) and Stacey Brown-Downham (Tatem Elementary Reading Interventionist and Community Events Co-Chair for the Haddonfield Education Association) for a discussion of the graphic novel "Good Talk" by Mira Jacob on Wednesday, April 10 from 6 to 8 p.m. The in-person book club discussion will take place from 7 to 8 p.m., and students in the club will help facilitate the conversation. There will be a virtual Q&A with the author at 6 p.m. Registrants may participate in both or just the book club discussion at 7 p.m., held in the high school, location TBA.
The first 30 registrants get a copy of the book; paperbacks are to be picked up at Inkwood Books in Haddonfield. We will let participants know if they qualify for a free book at the end of each week leading up to the event, and will post in the registration when there are no more free books available.
See more details in this registration form.
Are You Ready for the Eclipse?
Our Math & Science Supervisor Matt DiDonato wants to be sure we are all ready to safely view the eclipse on Monday, April 8. He shares a PDF document that explains what an eclipse is and how to safely view it. Included among several resources that you may find helpful to use at home is a link to "How to Make a Pinhole Viewer." This would be a great spring break project!
Eighth-Grader attends Student Dialogue Event
On Thursday, March 14, eighth-grader Talia S. attended the Camden County "Eighth-Grade Dialogue" at Gibbsboro Middle School. Advertised as a "a celebration of eighth-grade students who have demonstrated exceptional character, determination, leadership, and community service," the event brings middle school students together to discuss their experiences, sharing their views and ideas with members of the various school boards. Students spoke about an array of issues.
"I really enjoyed getting the opportunity to attend and speak at the Eighth-Grade Dialogue and especially to represent Haddonfield Middle School," Talia said. "I found it very enriching to hear the opinions of other eighth-graders, as well as compare their school systems to Haddonfield’s. Some of the ideas and aspects mentioned at this event had me considering our schools and how they may differ while overall being very similar."
Multicultural Day Video Released
In last month's district newsletter we shared a story and photo album from the HMHS Multicultural Day, held on February 27. A few days later, this excellent video was shared. Enjoy!
SCHOOL STORIES
Central Kindies Learned about Therapy Dogs
On March 5, Dana Selbach's kindergarten class had a visit from the Ambassador Dogs from the Tri-State Canine Response Team. The visit was planned for about 30 minutes and included an age-appropriate summary of their mission and work, followed by an introduction of team members and their dogs. The children loved being able to pet the dogs and interact one-on-one with the handlers in small groups.
Lizzy Students Presented Immigration Day Showcase
A much-anticipated annual event, the Elizabeth Haddon fourth-grade students created an Immigration Day experience on March 8. Students from other classes, parents and staff visited the APR to meet the characters and learn the stories, past and present, of some fictional and some actual immigrants to the United States. Children represented a wide variety of countries, ethnicities, religions and cultures. They dressed in appropriate costumes and displayed the treasures they brought with them, including photographs, maps, jewelry, diaries, documents, books and many more items that helped to tell the story of their pasts. Each student visitor to the APR carried a passport which was stamped at each station, indicating the various nationalities encountered.
Click here to view photos from this event.
Tatem Students Visited N.J. State House
Tatem's third-grade students visited the N.J. State House on Friday, March 22. They have been learning about the three government systems (local, state, and federal) during Social Studies. They also discussed the importance of being an active citizen in our community. As part of their tour, they learned "how a law is made."
Eighth-Graders Create Pawsitive Press 3
Annette Sanchirico's eighth-grade ELA students created a book celebrating joys of pet ownership, exploring the benefits to humans that pets provide, and advertising the needs of the Voorhees Animal Orphanage.
The Pawsitive Press 3 is an annual project that enhances the students' writing skills but also serves as a community service project. Although some of the pets in the book may no longer be available for adoption, students hope that the book inspires donations for the shelter (needed supplies are listed on page 3). The students also learn important public relations and analytics tracking skills as they encourage sharing of this link, aiming to surpass last year's record: 523 reads in 5 different countries!
HMHS Writers Share Poetry with Tatem Students
Holly Maiese's Accelerated English 9 students wrote and then shared personalized poetry with students in four classes at Tatem Elementary on Tuesday, March 19 and Wednesday, March 20. The younger students (grades 1, 2 and 4) filled out "all about me" forms to provide specific information such as personality traits, hobbies, friends, favorite activities, family and pets. The HMHS students used this information to work on their poems in class. Finally, the freshmen visited each class and shared the poems with the children, who were very excited to hear poems tailored to their interests. Pictured below are HMHS poets with their new friends in Megan Friedman's second-grade class.
WORTH REPEATING
HSD STUDENTS to TAKE NJSLA in SPRING
The New Jersey Student Learning Assessments (NJSLA) are statewide assessments that measure students’ progress toward the New Jersey Student Learning Standards in English language arts (ELA), mathematics, and science. All public schools in New Jersey administer these tests annually.
In Haddonfield, computer-based testing is scheduled from April 30, through May 20, 2024. Make-up testing will be administered from May 28 through May 31, 2024.
The following grade levels will take the NJSLA:
- ELA: Grades 3-9
- Math: Grades 3 to High School (Algebra I, Geometry, or Algebra II)
- Science: Grades 5, 8 and 11
Grade-level-specific testing dates are:
- Elementary Grades 3-4-5: May 13 to May 17
- Middle School Grades 6-7-8: May 14 to May 20
- High School: April 30 to May 3
COMMUNICATION for SCHEDULE CHANGES due to INCLEMENT WEATHER
As we move through the winter season, it is important that we are all ready for the possibility of inclement weather and resultant changes to school schedules.
HOW ARE FAMILIES NOTIFIED?
We try very hard to make the decision by 5:30 a.m. or earlier. Staff and families will receive an e-mail and text message. Also you may check our district website for current information.
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. For example, you may choose to receive them immediately or late in the day when you have time to digest the message.
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!
School Lunch Reminder
We encourage parents to consider applying for Free or Reduced-Price lunch. This document explains why and provides further information.
We encourage all parents to become familiar with the Food Services website .
Tell a Friend about HSD Employment
IN THE LOOP
Student Newspapers:
The HMHS Bulldawg Bulletin
Social Media:
District Facebook: @HaddonfieldSchoolDistrict
District Instagram: haddonfieldschooldistrict
District Twitter: @HaddonSchools
- Look for your school's Twitter feed.
- Ask if your student's team or club uses social media.
- Look for your particular PTA on social media. Our PTAs do a wonderful job communicating with families!
SAC Corner:
Enjoy the March issue posted on the HMHS website here. These monthly newsletters include helpful information from our SAC (Student Assistance Counselor), Holly Penna.