Clinton Township Newsletter

CLINTON TOWNSHIP SCHOOL NEWS w ww.ctsd.k12.nj.us A L e t t e r CLINTON TOWNSHIP SCHOOL DISTRICT 2013-14 BUDGET TAX CHANGES / IMPACT f r o m Dr. Drucilla Clark, Superintendent of Schools Dear Parents and Community Members: The Clinton Township Board of Education passed the final School District Budget on March 25 at the Public Hearing with a 9-0 vote of approval. The Superintendent and Business Administrator, along with four members of the Board of Education: Kevin Sturges, Maria Grant, Marc Freda and John Higgins, also presented the approved budget to the Town Council and Mayor on March 27. Good news was shared about the restructuring of debt for the district, saving over one million dollars over the life of the bonds and a new bid on the district transportation contract that will provide additional support for students, as well as save the district approximately two hundred and eighty-four thousand dollars. The main focus of this needs based budget is student achievement and school safety and security.  The user friendly budget, the Power-point presentation and audio given at the public hearing can also be found on the district's website. The public handout is included here and provides the tax impact information and facilities and curricular updates, as well as Follow noting the State mandates requiring Dr. Clark on Twitter! funding or support by the district. @ct_sd As always, any additional questions may be sent to the Superintendent, Dr. Clark at: dclark@ctsd.k12.nj.us Sincerely, Dr. Drucilla Clark, Superintendent, Clinton Township Budget Highlights Safety & Security Curriculum & Program District Wide • Re-Key Classroom doors & hardware • Additional Security Cameras • (2) Part time Nurses M Spruce Run School • Upgrade Phone & PA System • Parking Lot Repairs Patrick McGaheran • Replace Exterior Doors • Parking Lot Repairs • Install Outside Gate Round Valley School • Install New Fire Alarm System • Parking Lot & Curbing Repairs • (1) Part time Secretary M Clinton Township Middle School • Additional Exterior Lighting • (1) Part time School Secretary • (1) Part time Special Services Secretary M Professional Development Teacher & Principal Evaluation Systems Instructional Hardware / Supporting Technologies Leveled ELA Materials Grades 4 & 5 Math Grades 6-8 Handwriting Grade 2 Leveled Science & Social Studies Materials K-3 Benchmark Testing / MAP (1) Part time Math Basic Skills Instructor – PMG (1) Part time Math Basic Skills Instructor – RVS Extracurricular Programs – As currently operating April 8, 2013 M/C M M/C C C C C C M/C M/C M – State Mandated Program, UNFUNDED C – NEW Core Curriculum Content Standards as mandated by NJ DOE C T S D M i ss i o n S t a t e m e n t : I N OUR S S C H O O LS: Congratulations, Mrs. Slagus, our SRS Teacher of the Year! Mrs. Slagus is an Occupational Therapist who exemplifies all of the qualities of an excellent teacher! Mrs. Slagus brings an impressive amount of clinical skills to the school environment and successfully uses them to develop functional school skills for each individual child. She always speaks of the "just right" challenge where the child is asked to work on somewhat difficult activities to improve his or her abilities without becoming overly frustrated. She expertly adjusts her expectations at each session to meet the students' needs each particular day. She loves to share her knowledge, which benefits everyone in the classroom, and she imparts her knowledge to both parents and teachers. She consistently brings new methods and ideas to enable students to be more successful in the classroom environment. Mrs. Slagus is a true 12 The Clinton Township School District, in partnership with the community, achieves excellence for each child by ensuring a meaningful and challenging educational experience in a supportive environment, developing life-long learners who are responsible and productive citizens. ClintonTwpNewsletter.com Spruce Run School team player, carefully listening to others' input during meetings and offering her own salient input. She is always looking at the big picture, taking into account the children's skills and deficits, their personality and also the classroom environment in making recommendations. Mrs. Slagus is truly a shining star, and we are proud that she is our Spruce Run School Teacher of the Year! The month of May brings the excitement of Kindergarten Registration to SRS! Incoming kindergarten families are invited at an appointed time to come to the school to complete the registration process. Upon arrival, parents will meet with Mrs. Redmond, our school secretary, to review registration documentation. Students will have an opportunity to meet with Nurse Fuhrman for vision and hearing screenings, and parents meet with her to ensure that M a y 2 0 1 3 the necessary physical and immunization requirements are up to date upon entry to school. The children will also have an opportunity to meet with one of our kindergarten teachers for a screening assessment. Our school uses the results of the screenings to create heterogeneous classrooms for our new students. We're looking forward to meeting our incoming Kindergarten students in May! First graders at SRS will be taking a field trip in the month of May to the Echo Hill Section of the South Branch Reservation, part of the Hunterdon County Department of Parks and Recreation. This trip will support our first grade Science curriculum and study of ponds. This hands-on experience will provide our first graders with an opportunity to put their studies into action as they apply their knowledge of pond life and ecosystems.

• To H--- with Elle!