Four K-five schools open Sept. 7
By Ruth Luse
Approved unanimously by the Hopewell Valley Regional Board of Education in December 2005 was an administrative restructuring strategy designed to save money. One result of this plan was the elimination of the positions of vice principal at the elementary schools.
To help fill the gap, long-time district employee Ida Chiaradia, who spent last year serving as part-time vice principal at Bear Tavern and as K-five supervisor of science and social studies, will serve this year as vice principal-at-large for the four elementary buildings. She will be housed at Toll Gate Grammar School. No one individual will serve as vice principal at any of the four schools this year.
Schools open Sept. 7. Enrollment figures, as of Aug. 28, for the four elementary schools are: Bear Tavern, 568; Hopewell Elementary, 498; Stony Brook, 507; and Toll Gate Grammar, 319. The reason for the high figure this year at Bear Tavern is that the district has centralized its preschool classes there.
Total elementary enrollment, as of Monday, was 1,892. Last year at this time, projected elementary enrollment was 1,879.
Estimated secondary (CHS and Timberlane) enrollment is 2,173. Last year at this time, secondary enrollment was projected at 2,113.
Total enrollment is estimated at 4,065. At this time last year, the projected enrolment was 3,992. Official enrollment figures for the year will be struck in October.
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The four elementary principals recently shared some back-to-school news with the HVN:
Bruce Arcurio, principal of Bear Tavern Elementary School, reports that his school’s theme will be BEARS ("Believing. Experiencing. Asking. Reaching. Succeeding!") and, said the principal, "has slowly become a part of what we do at Bear Tavern Elementary School. Over the past two years the students have learned about the words and worked on living them. Our Responsive Classroom philosophy jives well with the ideals of BEARS! Students are asked everyday to engage with all five of these verbs and make progress in their academic, social, emotional, and physical education."
This year, the focus will be on the "B." For the past two years, students became familiar with the concepts. This year, "we will take the time to spend a year exploring each area. As the year progresses, children will hear a great deal about ‘believing.’ They will have opportunities to think about what believing in oneself means and how it relates to the other parts of BEARS!, ultimately leading to success," Mr. Arcurio said.
Bear Tavern will be the home of the Hopewell Valley Regional School District preschool department this year. "We will have three preschool programs that meet the needs of many of our district’s young learners. We welcome this addition to the school and look forward to the flavor that the additional two preschools will add to our community. The students and staff loved interacting with the preschoolers last year and can’t wait for our newest Bear Tavern arrivals," the principal said.
Bear Tavern’s PTO is using a new method of fundraising based upon an extensive survey conducted last year. In lieu of having the biannual auction, there was an appeal for contributions included in a recent mailing to parents. "I encourage you to read through the paperwork and get a sense of the enormous contribution that the PTO makes to the lives of our children. With this in mind, please consider contributing. This will be the major fundraising effort for the year. It is our hope that this will be a successful approach to fundraising that can be sustained for the future," said Mr. Arcurio.
New staff members include: Kim Marcinkiewicz, kindergarten; Maria Joralemon. teacher of the preschool CCA class; Barbara Herbert, teacher of the extended SKIP preschool class; Keith Belford, third-grade teacher; Amy Ciavaglia, second-grade teacher; Tammy Croak, new speech therapist (filled in last year for a leave position); Maureen Farina, leave replacement for Christina Virtucio; Diane Brady, 12-month school secretary; and Steve Monteleone, new paraprofessional.
Moving to Bear Tavern this year are: Nicole Gianfredi, PEECH preschool teacher (from Hopewell Elementary); Laureen Skuraton, paraprofessional in the PEECH preschool program; Rebecca Goldstein, learning consultant (from Hopewell Elementary); Jim Morrison, school psychologist (from Hopewell Elementary); Elyse Garlick, school social worker (from Hopewell Elementary); Chris Annese, computer technician (sharing Bear Tavern and Hopewell Elementary); and Dave Tate, supervisor of K-five special education (from Toll Gate).
For more information about Bear Tavern, visit: www.hvrsd.k12.nj.us/beartavern/home/welcome.html.
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Christine Laquidara, principal, and the Hopewell Elementary School mascot, Freddie the Frog, will greet students on Sept. 7 at 8:45 a.m. on the blacktop to celebrate the beginning of another year.
Back-to-School Night will be held Sept. 14 with a new format followed by the Back-to-School Carnival on Sept. 15.
Students will continue to "Leap into Learning" with the focus on the Inquiry Model of learning. They will be involved in a new science curriculum that will integrate the nonfiction work started last year with educator and author Stephanie Harvey. Teachers will be piloting a revised curriculum based on the NJ Core Content Standards and will continue to use a hands-on approach.
Parents will get the green Wednesday Mail Folder as well as increased use of electronic messages from the PTO and principal.
The Direct Appeal PTO fundraiser will be continued. Parents should have received new information in the mail.
There is a new nutrition/wellness policy that parents can review on the district Web site under Board Policies as well as a summary in the district calendar/handbook.
Staff changes Jayne Mangino, part-time guidance counselor, will return from leave. There will be three new staff members:
Victoria Witterschein will teach first grade for part of the year as a leave replacement for Claudia Scotti. Ms. Witterschein has been a substitute at Hopewell Elementary across the grade levels and is also a parent in the district.
Kimberly Chanda will teach fourth- and fifth-grade ALM classes, as well as assisting in Basic Skills. Prior to this appointment, she had been teaching for six years at Liberty Corner Elementary in Bernards Township. In her previous position, Ms. Chanda used the Everyday Math Program and served as a representative for the schoolwide enrichment model collaborating with colleagues to develop challenging projects and lessons to maximize the talent potential of the students.
Susan Robinson will join the Child Study Team as the learning consultant. An experienced LDTC, she recently worked at both the elementary- and middle-school level in Ewing Township schools.
Other new staff members are transfers from within the district and include Rafael Meulener, K-12 world languages supervisor, who has moved in to the vice principal’s office.
A self-contained class has moved from Bear Tavern and will be taught by Sean Mason with Diane Harrington as the class paraprofessional. Also from Bear Tavern are Dr. Walter Frankel, school psychologist, and Lori Leopardi, school social worker. Sandy Clark, speech therapist, will return from Toll Gate.
For more about Hopewell Elementary, visit: www.hvrsd.k12.nj.us/hopewell/home/welcome.html.
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Steve Wilfing, principal of Stony Brook Elementary School, reports the following:
On Sept. 8, the Stony Brook Elementary School PTO will host the annual Back to School Picnic 6-8 p.m. outside the cafetorium. If it rains, the event will be held inside the cafetorium. Families should bring their own picnic dinners and a dessert to share for the dessert table. A DJ will provide music. School apparel will be available for purchase at the picnic.
Back-to-School Night is scheduled for Sept. 20, starting at 6 p.m. Parents can meet teachers, learn about events coming to Stony Brook this year and sign up for Parent/Teacher Conferences.
The school theme "Lighting the Way SHINE ON!" will be highlighted throughout daily endeavors at Stony Brook.
"Each day we are challenged to search for truth, appreciate beauty and demonstrate goodness. With this theme in mind, our assembly programs also are based on the features of strong character and the idea of being a positive contributor to a community. Once again, our PTO will graciously fund this endeavor," said Mr. Wilfing.
New staff members include: Elane Gottshall, Gifted and Talented program; Anna Barcelona, advanced level math; Marci Thomas, media specialist; and Katie Schooley, Language Learning Classroom II.
Debbie Nutt is moving from Gifted and Talented to fifth grade.
Lesley Moore is leaving ALM and is joining the Basic Skill Instruction team.
Lori Lynne is moving from Basic Skills Instruction to third grade.
Colleen Morrison will be the school’s LDTC.
Donna DeAngelis will work out of Stony Brook this year. She serves as the K-12 language arts supervisor.
For more information about Stony Brook, visit: www.hvrsd.k12.nj.us/stonybrook/home/index.htm.
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Myra Bugbee, principal of Toll Gate Grammar School, has planned opening ceremonies and festivities, which will be held on the black-top play area near the cafeteria. Ceremonies will begin at 8:45 a.m. for morning kindergarten and first-fifth grades. Parents are invited to this event at which students will meet their new teachers and new classmates. Once children have moved inside, parents are invited to the cafeteria to renew friendships at a Welcome Back-to-School Coffee, sponsored by the Toll Gate PTO.
Kindergarten students will have regular morning and afternoon classes at regular times. Afternoon kindergarten students will meet in the Kindergarten Corner at 12:30 p.m. to begin their first day.
Lunch will be served on Sept. 7, so children should bring lunch money or their own lunches. A hot lunch will be available for $2 (includes milk). Milk will cost 35 cents.
The theme, "Every Child, Every Chance, Every Day," encompasses the school’s continuing focus on diversity including race, color and ethnic background, as well as academic skills, music, sports and character, etc. It also emphasizes the school’s commitment to differentiating learning to meet all students’ needs.
Toll Gate’s classrooms, hallways and furniture have been thoroughly cleaned. Improvements have been made to various areas of the school. Fifth-grade classes all have new carpets.
Dates to remember: Sept. 21, Back-to-School Night; Sept. 27, school closed for staff inservice; Oct. 2, school closed, Yom Kipper.
New staff members at Toll Gate include:
Christina Lebbad will teach first grade. A HoVal graduate, she attended Millersville University and earned a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education. Ms. Lebbad has experience in working with preschool children and toddlers at Lakeview Child Center. She also has a background in musical theater.
Debbie Schlette will be a new third-grade teacher. Ms. Schlette earned a master’s degree in elementary education from The College of New Jersey and did her undergraduate work at Washington College in Chestertown, Md. Recently, she taught at the Cambridge School. A local resident, her two daughters attended Toll Gate. She has an extensive background in art and is the director of Pennington’s Art in the Park summer program.
Working in the collaborative kindergarten class, as well as helping resource and basic skills students will be Colleen Smedley, who earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and master’s degree in special education from Holy Family University. She and her husband have two children (a 10-year-old daughter and 18-month-old son).
To serve as fifth-grade ALM teacher will be Jane-Ellen Lennon, who earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Rollins College in Florida and an master’s degree in elementary education from The College of New Jersey. She has taught fourth and fifth grade classes and also served as the technology specialist at Hopewell Elementary School for a year. A graduate of HoVal, she recently was inducted into the HVCHS Hall of Fame.
Carolyn Sellars will replace Jill Lech, who is on maternity leave. Ms. Sellars graduated from Rider University with a bachelor’s degree in decision sciences and later received a master’s degree from The College of New Jersey in special education. She is an active volunteer in her community and has served as a Brownie Scout leader.
Devon Brenner will be a paraprofessional. A graduate of Kutztown University with a bachelor’s degree in speech communication, she is enrolled in a graduate program to earn elementary education certification.
The Child Study Team (CST) composition has changed. Jim Morrison will continue to serve as psychologist. Deb Gainer will return from Timberlane Middle School to serve as social worker. Sandy Clark will return as speech therapist. Susan Robinson will be learning disabilities teacher/ consultant (LDTC). She has served in this role in Ewing Township for several years. She has degrees and certifications from Temple University, Philadelphia College of Performing Arts, and Trenton State College (TCNJ)
For more information about Toll Gate, visit: www.hvrsd.k12.nj.us/tollgate/home/welcome.html.