LPS Spotlight

• TONIGHT: Board of Education Meeting at Heritage Middle School
• LHS Students Recognized by College Board
• Middle School GT Art & Music Applications
• ATTN NEW FAMILIES! Welcome to Livingston Event is Sept. 19th
• COMMUNITY NEWS: LHS Grad & Retired Teacher Dedicate Photo to LFD

* PLEASE NOTE THAT TONIGHT'S MEETING WILL BE HELD AT HERITAGE MIDDLE SCHOOL, 20 FOXCROFT DRIVE.

The Livingston Board of Education will hold a public meeting at 7:15PM tonight, Tuesday, September 12, 2023 at Heritage Middle School, 20 Foxcroft Drive.

Tonight's meeting will be held in a hybrid format during which participants will have the ability to ask questions and make comments either in person or via the webinar. Register for the webinar using the link below. The meeting will also be livestreamed on the district's Facebook page, @LivSchools.

View Public Comment Guidelines.

Congratulations to LHS students Caitlin Hernandez, Erika Massiani and Yedidya Belachew, three of 72,000 students from across the country who earned academic honors from College Board’s National Recognition Programs!

Caitlin and Erika won the National Hispanic Recognition Award (NHRA), while Yedidya won the National African American Recognition Award (NAARA). The National Recognition Programs honor the strong academic achievements of underrepresented students. They’re an easy way for students to showcase their hard work in high school. The programs not only benefit students. They also benefit colleges looking to recruit diverse, talented students.

The criteria for eligible students include:

• GPA of 3.5 or higher.
• PSAT/NMSQT or PSAT 10 assessment scores that are within the top 10% of assessment takers in each state for each award program or earned a score of 3 or higher on 2 or more AP Exams in 9th and 10th grade.
• Attend school in a rural area or small town, or identify as African American/Black, Hispanic American/Latino, or Indigenous/Native.

We are excited to announce that the application window is now open to express interest in both our Middle School Gifted and Talented Art program and Middle School Gifted and Talented Music programs.

All applications must be submitted electronically no later than Friday, September 29, 2023. Previously enrolled students do not need to re-apply.

Detailed information for both the GT Art and GT Music programs, along with the applications for both programs, can be found in the links below:

6TH GRADE & 7TH GRADE:

• GT ART APPLICATION MIDDLE SCHOOL
• GT MUSIC APPLICATION MIDDLE SCHOOL

8TH GRADE:

• GT ART APPLICATION MIDDLE SCHOOL

REGISTER NOW FOR THE WELCOME TO LIVINGSTON EVENT

Have you moved to Livingston within the past year? Come find out what your new community offers! Organized by the Livingston Health Department, this year's Welcome to Livingston event will feature refreshments, giveaways and include representatives of various township departments and organizations, including LPS! Join us on Tuesday, September 19, 2023 from 5:30-7PM at the Senior/Community Center, 204 Hillside Avenue! RSVP is required. CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION!

Please check your school website for Back to School Night time, info and updates!

Livingston Public Schools strives to respond to concerns and/or questions as quickly and effectively as possible. In a school system, as in any organization, the “chain of command” refers to communication levels of authority in the school district. The philosophy behind the chart in the link below is to refer community members to those people in the organization who can best solve any concerns or questions that may arise, and then direct them to the appropriate people if issues are not able to be effectively addressed at the first level.

VIEW "PROCESS FOR ADDRESSING PARENT CONCERNS"

LPS takes school security very seriously and follows all of the safety protocols that are practiced regularly with the Livingston Police Department. These protocol include school lockdowns, which are designed to secure schools and protect students during emergency situations. Parents have a part to play in school lockdown safety as well! Watch the video or read the document below to learn how parents can contribute to school safety during lockdown situations.

LOOK FOR 54968 OR 60680!

Please be aware that text messages that are sent from LPS will be sent from short code 60680 for non-emergency messages, and 54968 or 60680 for emergency messages. This is to ensure timely delivery based on code traffic.We wanted to remind everyone so that LPS community members do not inadvertently block or unsubscribe from future school messages!

LPS is committed to building strong relationships with students, families, and the community, and as such, we strive to provide accurate and timely information to our stakeholders.

Communication tools for parents include the Finalsite Mass Notification System, the LPS website (www.livingston.org), LPS Spotlight (our district newsletter), Facebook & Twitter (@LivSchools), Around the Block (the Superintendent's TV program), and various promotional videos that highlight our students and staff. Explore our communications tools here!

OFFERS MENTAL HEALTH & SUBSTANCE USE SUPPORT

Livingston Public Schools believes that your mental health and well-being is a vital part to your success at our school. With this in mind, we have partnered with Care Solace to provide an extra layer of support to our entire community.

Livingston Public Schools students, staff members, and their families can use Care Solace to quickly find verified mental health, behavioral health, and substance use treatment options matched to their needs, regardless of circumstances. Care Solace’s team is available 24/7/365 and can support you in any language.

If you would like to use Care Solace to help you find a provider:

• Call 888-515-0595 (available 24/7/365)
• Visit www.caresolace.com/livingston and either search on your own OR click “Book Appointment” for assistance by video chat, email, or phone.

This is a FREE and CONFIDENTIAL service provided by LPS. Learn more about Care Solace.

Retired LHS art teacher Arlene Brown returned to Livingston on September 11, 2023 to present a special photo entitled "NEVER FORGOTTEN" to the Livingston Fire Department. The photo, which features a firefighter's helmet, was taken by LHS graduate Gabe Dubinette.

The dedication statement said, "To never forget is to honor and respect the 343 firefighters who made the ultimate sacrifice in an effort to carry out the mission of every sworn firefighter: to save lives and protect property. The honor and respect that these men have earned goes far beyond their actions on 9/11."

The statement also noted that "LHS is proud and honored by the Livingston Fire Department for their courage to save lives and keep our community safe.

Gabe’s brother, Rafael, was part of the dedication ceremony and held the photo of his brother, who is currently serving in the US Coast Guard and could not attend.

The dedication took place outside of LHS. Accepting the award for the Livingston Fire Department is Deputy Chief Josh Lewis, Chief Chris Mullen, and Assistant Chief Kevin Francione. Also shown are Arlene Brown, Rafael Dubinett, Mara Rubin, Supervisor of Visual and Performing Arts, and Principal Danielle Rosenzweig.

Follow @LivSchoolsTEAM on Twitter where we highlight LPS employees and careers!

Visit our Employment Opportunities webpage to learn more about available positions at Livingston Public Schools.

LPS Spotlight

2023-2024 School Year / No. 3

Michelle Bent

Manager of Communications

Livingston Public Schools

(973) 535-8000 ext. 8036

Email: mbent@livingston.org

www.livingston.org

LPS Spotlight is the official e-newsletter of the Livingston Public Schools.

VISIT @LIVSCHOOLS ON FACEBOOK

FOLLOW @LIVSCHOOLS ON TWITTER