Clinton Township Newsletter

1 2 F e b r u a r y 2 0 2 1 W W W . C L I N T O N T W P N E W S L E T T E R . C O M C L I N T O N T O W N S H I P S C H O O L N E W S www.ctsdnj.org 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. Elizabeth Tracey - Instructional Assistant: Mrs. Elizabeth (Liz) Tracey is described as a gentle force when it comes to supporting students. Mrs. Tracey was a 3rd and 4th grade teacher in East Orange for nine years before taking some time to raise her four children. All of her children are alumni of the Clinton Township school system and Mrs. Tracey is very proud to be a member of such a stellar staff. Mrs. Tracey is a professional and seeks to work out of the limelight so students can shine both academically and emotionally. She extends respectful boundaries to students in all settings to guide them towards success. She has built a toolbox of strategies and cues to assist students with needs that spread across a range of abilities. Mrs. Tracey is an excellent representative as the ESP for SRS and she is recognized and supported as such. "I have learned something from every staff member and student with whom I've had the privilege to work. And I have so much more to learn. Thank you to all of the people who continue to teach me every day how to be a better educator, a more thoughtful listener and more compassionate person." Congratulations to Patrick McGaheran School's Educator of the Year! Patrick McGaheran School Teacher of the Year: Heather Stanley, First Grade Special Education Teacher: Mrs. Heather Stanley is an outstanding leader and a dedicated special education teacher who exemplifies the meaning of going "above and beyond" for her students and our school on a daily basis. She is patient, kind and sincere in all interactions with students. Mrs. Stanley is able to ascertain the unique needs of each child in her classroom and constantly strives to meet these needs. She is a consummate collaborator, and serves as a part of an award-winning inclusion co-teaching team. When the world of education changed last March, Mrs. Stanley went above and beyond to support her students and their families, to ensure that all were okay, and had everything they needed. Mrs. Stanley serves on almost every committee in the building, is an advocate for inclusion and school safety, and is a resource for her colleagues. She is the first to respond when assistance is needed, and recently served on our District School Safety Team to plan for and assist with the implementation of the re-opening of our schools in the fall of 2020. She is a caring, incredibly dedicated, creative special education teacher whose enthusiasm and energy make her shine! Mrs. Stanley began teaching with the Clinton Township School District in 2004 as a second-grade Special Education teacher after beginning her career in education as a Special Education Teacher for Lehigh University's Transition and Assessment Services. Her passion for teaching elementary education led her to her role at Clinton Township School District. She has had various positions throughout her career at CTSD, both as a general education teacher and a special education teacher. Currently, Mrs. Stanley is a first-grade special education teacher in an inclusion classroom at Patrick McGaheran School. Mrs. Stanley is a 2003 graduate of DeSales University with a bachelor's in Elementary Education and Special Education. In 2005 she graduated from Lehigh University with a Master's in Special Education. "It was very important to me to be dual certified Spruce Run and Patrick McGaheran Schools Kindgarten Rnd-Up! Kindergarten Round-Up is now occurring for Patrick McGaheran School. A child must be 5 years of age on or before October 1, 2021 to be eligible for kindergarten during the 2021-2022 school year. If you have a child who will be eligible for kindergarten next year, please notify our district as soon as possible by completing the Kindergarten Round-Up Survey online at https://bit.ly/KPMG2021RU. If you should have any questions regarding the kindergarten registration process, please contact Ms. Carmella Shaw at cshaw@ctsdnj.org or 908.236.7235, ext 521. Thank you! Kindgarten Infmati Night Although the weather is cold outside, we are making plans for entrance into our kindergarten program in the Fall of 2021! To be eligible for kindergarten during the 2021-2022 school year, a child must be 5 years of age on or before October 1, 2021. We would like to invite parents of incoming kindergarten students to our Kindergarten Information Night on February 11, 2021 from 7:00-8:00 pm via Zoom. Please RSVP for our Information Night using this link: https://bit.ly/ KInfoPMG2021. We hope to see you there! Join us in honoring Spruce Run School's and Patrick McGaheran School's Educational Services Professionals of the Year: Mrs. Kendra Squindo has worked as an amazing and effective school social worker in our district for many years. As a school social worker, she effectively supports our children and their families as they navigate the challenging waters of referrals to the child study team, and she approaches all interactions with people with kindness, grace and warmth. Her compassion and ability to understand the challenges our families and children face is unparalleled. Mrs. Squindo is a caring and collaborative colleague. She is a team player and genuinely interested in developing positive relationships with others. She is actively involved in helping to make our school a better place! Mrs. Squindo is truly a shining star! "I am truly proud to have supported the students of Clinton Township School District for the past twenty years. I have had the pleasure to work with such a wonderful group of professionals who truly put children first. Prior to coming to the district, I completed an undergraduate degree in psychology from Rutgers University and a graduate degree in social work from Marywood University. Before beginning my career in education, I worked in community mental health, supporting both children and adolescents in and out of treatment centers." I N O U R S C H O O L S : Govn's Educat the Year Program The New Jersey Department of Education has announced the Governor's Award for Outstanding Educator of the Year for the 2020-2021 School Year. This celebratory program continues to recognize our state's best teachers and educational services professionals. Clinton Township School District would like to recognize several of our staff for their excellence, dedication and service to the children of the district for the Governor's Educator and Educational Service Professional of the Year program. Each year, staff and parents nominate both teachers and service professionals for this recognition. The selection process includes letters of nomination that are reviewed by a panel of administration and former winners. Cgratulatis To Our Recipients!

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