Dear HTSD Families,
Happy Thanksgiving.
This holiday serves as the unofficial start to the holiday season. It starts a busy time of year for many. However, I want to take a minute and remind us all about the importance of this time of year.
Maya Angelou, American memoirist, poet, and civil rights activist said, “Be present in all things and thankful for all things.” Her words remind us to slow down during the holiday rush and appreciate the simple joys of being present with loved ones. Over the holiday weekend take time to be present and focused on family and friends. Be thankful for the time with them. And most importantly, celebrate the opportunity to come together.
I am so thankful for our wonderful school community. Each year, and especially during the holiday season, our students, faculty, staff, and families work together to make our schools a wonderful place for learning and growth, and for giving to our community.
Thanksgiving is my favorite time of year. I enjoy the holiday and spending time with family and friends.
I wish you a wonderful Thanksgiving and holiday break.
Please take a moment to read the information provided below in our Community Update.
Sincerely,
Scott R. Rocco, Ed.D.
Superintendent
Greenwood Elementary School Celebrates Veterans Day With Visit From Brigadier General Bonnie Bosler - November 26, 2024
Steinert Spartans Hosting Group III Title Match - TapInto.net - November 15, 2024
Alexander ES NJSBA School Leader Award - TapInto.net - November 4, 2024
HTSD Receives 2024 NJSPRA Communication Award - Released October 30, 2024
- Hamilton Township Schools Welcome Student Representatives to Board of Education - TapInto.net October 4, 2024
Sibling Rivalries Drive Mackenzie Bendas for Steinert Field Hockey - Community News - October 2, 2024
Hornets’ LB Gabe Bing Hits the Books Hard and Opponents Harder - Community News - October 1, 2024
In November, we presented our year over year SSDS School Safety Data System Summary. The SSDS was initiated by the NJDOE in 2017 and it collects incidents of violence, vandalism, weapons, substance use, HIB alleged and HIB Confirmed.
Below are some highlights:
Incidents of violence in our schools are down 33% year over year
Incidents of vandalism in our schools are down 15% year over year
Incidents of substance use are down 11% year over year
Confirmed HIB are down 23% year over year
Alleged HIB are down 44% year over year
Total Incidents are down 28% year over year
Digital Family Resources - Newsletters were recently posted and sent to all families. Click here to access the resources; we provide resources for PreK, Elem, Middle, and HS families in English & Spanish.
Elementary Math Resources - Just a reminder that our newly-adopted math program (enVision Mathematics) has great at-home resources:
High School Math Resources - Our newly-adopted high school math program (Reveal Mathematics) also has great at-home resources for Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II. Please speak to your child’s math teacher about how to access the following resources:
End of lesson practice problems (textbook & online)
Extra examples/practice (online)
"Putting It All Together" (online)
Online videos
Concept Checks (online)
Module reviews (textbook & online)
Test Practice (textbook & online)
Personal tutors (online)
Block Scheduling At The High School
Staff Training
Formal district training began on Tuesday, November 5th. Instructional and administrative staff were trained by a team from an outside professional organization. Building-based training (with the same organization) is also taking place during the months of November/December.
As community members you will receive frequent updates of our progress. Below you will find updates based on our work thus far and a few answers to the submitted frequently asked questions. If you have a question about the transition, you can submit it HERE.
At this time the large district level Block Scheduling Steering Committee is working on the following items:
- Building visits to each high school with our food service vendor to assess the current cafeteria and serving areas for students, and to determine needs for lunch during block scheduling.
- Mock block schedules were created based on the current master and student schedules. These are being reviewed in preparation for next year's master, student, and teacher schedules.
- Curriculum is being reviewed and sub-committees will be developed soon to prepare for the return of midterms and final exams.
- Professional development and training is ongoing for all faculty and staff. This will continue through all of next year for our high school faculty and staff.
- The Guidance Department is talking to and visiting several schools with block scheduling to discuss the needs of students based on the transition to a block schedule.
- The Technology Department is working on developing and implementing training on how technology can be leveraged to enhance instruction and learning in the block schedule.
To access your child’s breakfast and lunch menu, please click the link below or follow the prompts under the food service tab on the district website.
For any allergy, nutrition or dietary concerns, please contact rbrower@maschiofood.com
Funding Your Child's Meal Account
To fund your child’s meal account, we recommend parents/guardians deposit money using MySchoolBucks. There is also a mobile app that you may download directly to your phone.
Cash and check payments will also be accepted in the cafeteria.
Low Balance Letters
Low Balance letters were recently sent out to all parents whose child has a negative balance in their meal account. Please review these charges with your child.
Balance letters will be sent out to parents of children who owe more than $15 every 2 weeks.
All negative balance letters will be sent to parents quarterly.
Meal Applications
Meal Applications are accepted throughout the school year. If your financial situation has changed or you have not completed one and believe your child would qualify for free school meals, please apply today.
You may go to www.myschoolapps.com or ask that a paper application be sent home from your child's school.
Food Service Contacts
To contact Maschio’s regarding anything food related, please email rbrower@maschiofood.com
To contact the HTSD Food Service Department regarding meal eligibility benefits, please email HTSDFoodServices@htsdnj.org
Hamilton Township Schools are hiring!
If you are interested in becoming a full-time teacher, please follow this checklist.
Hold a Bachelors, Masters, or Doctorate degree.
Take Praxis(s) Exam.
Apply for a Teacher Certificate at the NJDOE. (New Jersey Department of Education)
Get Criminal History Approval for a Public School Employee (Fingerprinting).
Complete HTSD employment Application.
If you are interested in becoming a substitute teacher, please follow this checklist.
A minimum of 60 college credits (completed) for HTSD substitute teaching.
Substitute Teacher Credentials from NJEdCert, or Standard, CE/CEAS certification.
Complete HTSD employment Application.
If you are interested in becoming a district employee for non-teaching position please:
Complete HTSD employment Application.
FAFSA is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. This aid can assist in paying for college or a career school. Institutions also review this information to be able to provide their own institutional funds to students. 12th grade students and a parent/guardian must create an FSA ID before beginning the FAFSA. For more information, please refer to the presentation from our Financial Aid Info Night.
New Jersey Financial Aid Application Graduation Requirement
Under P.L.2023, c.295, to receive a high school diploma, a student in the graduating classes of 2025, 2026, or 2027 must:
Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at studentaid.gov or the New Jersey Alternative Financial Aid Application
Students who complete the FAFSA must provide a confirmation page to their school counselor.
Complete a waiver indicating that they are not planning on completing either application above and submit it to their school counselor.
Wayfinder in Grades K-5: Strengthening students’ social emotional learning skills has been shown to enhance students’ engagement and learning in the classroom. Our elementary students are taking a brief assessment through our Wayfinder platform to identify areas of strength and the areas of growth in the area of social emotional learning. For more information regarding social emotional learning, please check out CASEL’s website.
As we move into the holiday season, kids and families may encounter a great deal of stress. Below are resources to make the holidays more enjoyable for all!
Be sure to check with your school to see if they have initiatives planned for gift donations, and collecting clothing and food for those in need.
Special Education Parent Advisory Group (SEPAG)
SEPAG (Special Education Parent Advisory Group)
“IEP Process, Interpretation and Services”January 13, 2025
Crockett Middle School, 6:00pm
Parent Videos-Mental Health Moments
In this quick video, we offer parents practical tips to manage the stress and anxiety that often comes with navigating school related challenges.
November Topic: Modeling Skills
MTSS Update:
Middle Schools:
All middle school data teams joined together to participate in a professional development workshop on the power of being solution-minded and addressing best practices for vocabulary instruction & differentiation.
Elementary Schools:
The elementary data teams are in the process of midpoint data reviews for ELA & Math across all three tiers of MTSS. Goals have been achieved Tier 1 and new plans have been developed. Student progress in Tiers 2 and 3 have been reviewed by data team members, in which individual student plans have been adjusted or amended to meet the needs of the students.
The MTSS district implementation team has been meeting to prepare for the SEL roll-out of MTSS. The Waypoints screeners have been administered in grades K-5 and the first MTSS meetings for SEL are scheduled for the month of December. Tiered plans will be implemented for SEL starting in January.
Our district multisensory reading teachers have completed an intensive and comprehensive training on Multisensory Math. They will begin to utilize this training to help build instructional plans to support our students.
Powerschool Push Notification: You may have recently received some unexpected test notifications from the PowerSchool app. This was due to an accidental push of test notifications to the app by PowerSchool. The issue has been resolved, and no further action is needed. We apologize for any inconvenience caused by the company.
Mobile App:
Stay informed with our mobile app! Subscribe to individual school calendars for the latest updates and events.
Download the app today: Apple Store | Google Play Store
You can also subscribe to app notifications. The directions can be found here.
Our HTSD Family Learning Hub is a one stop shop for district resources and information for families. This page will continue to update with new resources as they become available. You can see the page here: HTSD Family Learning Hub
- DCR Meeting - December 10, 2024, 5:00 - 6:00pm, Sayen Elementary School
- SEPAG Meeting - January 13, 2025. 6:00pm, Crockett Middle School
- Summer Camp 2025 Registration Opens - Friday, January 31, 2025
- World Read Aloud Day - Wednesday, February 5, 2025
- District Art Show - March 2025 - Hamilton Township Library
- Whole Child Fair - March 11, 2025, 6:00pm - 8:00pm, Crockett Middle School
- College and Career Fair - April 1, 2025 - Steinert High School
- Educator Job Fair - TBA
- Tech Night 2025 - April 10, 2025, 5:00 - 8:00pm, Crockett Middle School
HTSD is proud to offer our fifth summer of unique Summer Camps in 2025 for Hamilton Township residents! Camps are offered grades K - 12 (Fall 2025).
We will announce the 82 unique Camps offered in January! Registration will open Friday, January 31, 2025.
2025 Camp Dates:
- Week 1: July 7 - 11
- Week 2: July 14 - 18
- Week 3: July 21 - 25
- Week 4: July 28 - August 1
HTSD PTA President Update
We are proud to share that our PTA Food Initiative, founded and managed by our PTA, has officially concluded its operations. Thanks to the incredible generosity of our community, all donated food has been distributed to schools throughout our district.
For more information about how you can make a difference in your school, contact the HTSD PTA President, Lisa Schultz via email at: limol1@aol.com.
Cell Phone Use
Please see and follow the below rules about cell phones and electronic devices connected to phones (ie Apple watches). This information was first posted in the December 21, 2023 Community Update.
- Elementary Schools - Students are not to have cell phones or devices (ie. Apple watches, and similar wearable technology) in school unless they are needed for medical reasons. Medical issues are to be approved by your principal and nurse and require medical documentation from a certified medical doctor.
- Middle Schools - Students' phones must be put away in a backpack or locker (see your student handbook). Teachers and administrators have the right to tell students to put phones/devices away. Students who do not comply may have their phones confiscated and returned to a parent or guardian.
- High Schools - Students and parents should review their student handbook and messages sent by the principal on this topic for proper use during the school day. Teachers and administrators have the right to tell students to put phones/devices away. Students who do not comply may have their phones confiscated and they will be returned to a parent or guardian.
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Hamilton Township School District
Website: https://www.htsdnj.org/
Location: 90 Park Avenue, Hamilton Township, NJ, USA
Phone: (609) 631-4100