LPS Spotlight
News for the Livingston Public Schools Community
March 31, 2023
LHS CLASS OF 2023 TOP HONORS: Livingston Public Schools is pleased to announce the students who have achieved top academic honors in Livingston High School's Class of 2023. Jeffrey Xu has been named valedictorian and Kathleen Zhang has been named salutatorian.
SCROLL DOWN FOR INFO ON...
- CALENDAR REMINDER: Schools closed for students April 3-10
- School Budget 2023-2024
- Board of Education Candidates Kit
- LPS Summer Academy 2023
- Grade 2-5 STEAM Night: April 11, 2023
- County Spelling Bee Champ
- PARENT VIDEO: "Helping Your Teen Cope With Stress, Anxiety & Social Challenges"
- HMS Equity Leaders Read to Elementary Students
- ACL AP Art Show
- Vote for LHS Student: National Shakespeare Competition
- Community News: PFOA & PFAS-Important Information About Drinking Water
CALENDAR REMINDER
LPS schools and offices will be closed next week from April 3-7 for Spring Break and Good Friday. Schools will also be closed for students on Monday, April 10, which is a PD day for staff members.
2023-2024 SCHOOL BUDGET
UPCOMING PUBLIC SCHOOL BUDGET MEETINGS:
On Tuesday, April 18, 2023 (4-6PM), a Public Budget Forum will be held at the Central Office. Members of the public are invited to attend the forum in person to ask questions or make comments on the 2023-2024 School Budget. Later that evening, a public Board meeting will be held at 7:30PM.
On Tuesday, April 25, 2023 (7PM) the Livingston Board of Education will hold a Public Hearing and Vote on the 2023-2024 School Budget. Members of the public can email budget related comments/questions to budgetquestions@livingston.org.
Learn more about the 2023-2024 School Budget
SCHOOL BOARD CANDIDATE KIT
Now is the time to consider school board candidacy for the Livingston Board of Education. In November, voters will elect one candidate to serve for a three year term. A candidate must file a nominating petition with the county clerk for his or her name to appear on the ballot during the annual school election. The deadline to submit the petition is 4 p.m. on Monday, July 31, 2023. The election is scheduled for Tuesday, November 7, 2023.
COUNTY SPELLING BEE CHAMP
Mt. Pleasant Elementary School fourth grader Aria Khambhati has been named the winner of the 2023 Essex County Spelling Bee! She correctly spelled "peruse" in the 19th round of the competition to best a field of talented spellers ranging from 3rd through 5th graders.
She was one of 14 spellers vying for the top spot in the county competition, which was held virtually on March 25, 2023.
Aria will now represent Essex County at the Scripps National Spelling Bee, which takes place Memorial Day week at Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland.
BUILDING LITERACY AND EQUITY...ONE BOOK AT A TIME!
Click on the video below to watch HMS Equity Leaders share in their own words what their group has been up to, including the Read Across America readings! The interview was conducted as part of HMS' "Talk Show Thursday" program that is shown during morning announcements.
STUDENT PERSPECTIVES ART SHOW
Livingston High School’s annual Advanced Placement (AP) Art Show, "Student Perspectives,” sponsored by the Arts Council of Livingston (ACL), is currently on display at Livingston Town Hall, 357 South Livingston Avenue. It is open for daily public viewing from 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. through Tuesday, May 2, 2023. READ MORE/VIEW PHOTOS...
VOTE FOR LHS STUDENT
Watch her performance HERE!
LPS SUMMER ACADEMY
Livingston Public Schools is committed to providing students with excellent educational experiences for students of all ages this summer! Check out the district's offerings for Summer 2023!
ATTENTION GRADE 2-5 FAMILIES
Liv STEAM Night for students in grades 2-5 and their families will be held on Tuesday, April 11, 2023 (6-7:30pm)!
Hosted by the Mount Pleasant Middle School STEMbassadors club, this event will be exciting evening of science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM). Students in grades 2-5* and their families can take part in hands-on activities presented by the STEMbassadors throughout the evening. Entrance to the event will be through the MPM Cafeteria entrance doors.
*Please note: this is not a drop off event as families will enjoy the activities together!
KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION
Kindergarten Registration for the 2023-2024 school year is open! All registration will be done via our online registration portal. Children must be 5 on or before October 1, 2023 to register for kindergarten. LEARN MORE ABOUT KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION.
*We are only accepting next school year, 2023-2024, registrations for students in KINDERGARTEN at this time. We will be opening registration for all other grade levels after May 15, 2023.
2023-2024 PRIDE PRESCHOOL PROGRAM
FULL DAY NOW OFFERED!
Livingston Public Schools is proud to share that our P.R.I.D.E. (Pre-School Readiness Individual Developmental Education) Program will now be a full day program with spots available for non-disabled preschool students. In this program, students will be provided with a language rich, research-based curriculum. They will spend their days with New Jersey certified teachers, and with their disabled and non-disabled peers, to achieve the expectations of the school district’s well-designed curriculum based on New Jersey's Student Learning Standards for preschool. The students gather daily to develop social language, work as partners and in groups, and explore, play, create, share, and learn.
Scheduling details of the program will be shared with families who apply for consideration. Currently, the cost for students selected by lottery is $7,200 for the full school year. The program will follow the school district’s calendar.
LEARN MORE ABOUT OR REGISTER FOR THE PRIDE PRESCHOOL PROGRAM
VIDEO: PARENT PROGRAM
HELPING YOUR TEEN COPE WITH STRESS, ANXIETY AND SOCIAL CHALLENGES
WATCH A RECORDING OF THE PROGRAM HERE!
On March 13, 2023, "Helping Your Teen Cope With Stress, Anxiety and Social Challenges" was presented by Gabriela Chimento, LCSW and Kim Clerie, LSW, clinicians in the Child & Adolescent Department at Jewish Family Service of MetroWest NJ. Both provide outpatient mental health services to children and families within the community. This workshop, hosted by the LPS Student Assistance Program, focused on mental health awareness and education, exploring sources, symptoms, and signs of prevalent teen mental health concerns. The workshop explored common social challenges and their impact on teens’ mental health. The goal was to give parents concrete ideas of how to support their teen as they navigate this unpredictable time.
CARE SOLACE
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.
STAY CONNECTED WITH LPS!
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 Blackboard 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!
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PFOA & PFAS: Important Information About Drinking Water
LEARN MORE ABOUT PFOA/PFAS AND STEPS THAT HAVE BEEN TAKEN BY THE TOWNSHIP OF LIVINGSTON.
SHINING STARS SPORTS
SHINE A LIGHT ON AUTISM
LACD TALENT SHOW
VISIT THE PUBLIC LIBRARY
CRISIS LIFELINE
LPS Spotlight
2022-2023 School Year / No. 15
Michelle Bent
Communications & Community Outreach Coordinator
Livingston Public Schools
(973) 535-8000 ext. 8036
Email: mbent@livingston.org
LPS Spotlight is the official e-newsletter of the Livingston Public Schools.