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- 2023 - 2024 Welcome Back to School Letter
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2023 - 2024 Welcome Back Letter by Dr. O'Neil (Superintendent)
2023 - 2024 Welcome Back Letter by Dr. O'Neil (Superintendent)
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August 23, 2023
Dear Lion Families,
Welcome to the 2023 – 2024 school year! It has definitely been a very busy, busy summer preparing to welcome all of our children back this upcoming September!
The biggest update for this school year is our District Dress Code Pilot. The Board of Education listened to the voices of our community, students, and staff and voted to approve a trial pilot for the 2023 – 2024 school year. The “traditional” Lion Uniform will not be required for this school year; however, there WILL be appropriate dress guidelines. Please visit the District Website under the Parents / Dress Code Pilot 2023 – 2024 tabs for more information. Students who wish to continue to wear our traditional uniform may absolutely continue to wear the traditional uniform.
Back-to-School Information has already been shared in our July & Mid-August Lion’s Roar Newsletters. Please visit our District Website under the Parents / Lion’s Roar Newsletter tabs. Our District Calendar and important beginning of year dates are included on the District Website under the Parents / Calendar 2023 – 2024 tabs.
We are happy to share that NJ has expanded income guidelines in the 2023-2024 school year so that more families will qualify for free/reduced meals. Both FREE and REDUCED lunches will be provided at no cost and Breakfast is FREE for all students! Please check out our website for information on applying for free/reduced meals and remember that a NEW lunch application is required each school year for each household.
Exciting Facilities Updates:
• We are preparing to begin the construction of our new Early Childhood Center. We WILL break ground this school year. However, this does mean our traffic flow at School 4 & LHS will be impacted. Please be sure to read our Construction Update on the main District Webpage.
• We modified the LMS parking / bus loop to allow for better traffic flow for buses and family drivers during arrival and dismissal.
• New lockers were installed in the Boys’ LHS Locker-room
• Drainage issues were addressed at both School 4 & LHS
• Internet lines were upgraded to allow for more live streaming of school events
Throughout this summer our school district offered:
• Our second annual Lion Staff Summer Instructional Teaching Academy
• Our third annual full-day general education and special education extended school year academic and enrichment program
• Our third annual PK to Kindergarten Summer Transition Program
• Our annual Summer Theater Program – Matilda!
• Our first Youth & LHS Summer Football Camp
• A regional wrestling summer wrestling tournament that welcomed wrestlers from all over our area
• Our first Multi-Lingual Newcomer after school program will be held at the very start of the school year.
The District has hired several new administrators this summer to support our staff, community, instruction, and student learning. We look forward to their partnership!
• Ms. Kathryn Agresta – Elementary Director of Curriculum
• Mr. Fred Geardino - LHS Principal
• Ms. Noel Vadino – LHS Supervisor of Athletics
• Mr. Ryan Strothers - LMS Assistant Principal (Grades 7 & 8)
• Ms. Lauren Scinto -LMS Assistant Principal (Grades 5 & 6)
We are continuing to focus on our District Strategic Plan. A progress update was shared during our August 28th Board of Education Meeting and the data is now posted on our District Website under the District / Strategic Plan tabs. Our goals fall into one of three categories: Organizational Capacity, Rigorous Instruction, and District Culture.
We sincerely missed our students, and we are excited to welcome them back!
It’s officially now time to say: “Welcome Back-to-School!”
Sincerely,
Dr. Kristin P. O’Neil
Superintendent