Clinton Township Newsletter

1 8 d e c e m b e r 2 0 2 3 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 PeacE On Earth A MESSAGE FROM DR. STAGER, CTSD SUPERINTENDENT: Dear Clinton Township Community Members, The Clinton Township School District has fantastic news! We recently applied for funding from the State of New Jersey for a Full-Day Integrated Preschool Program for three and four year olds. In late September, we were told we would be eligible for the funding. In October, we received notice that we could share with the public that we are receiving just over $950,000 to offer this program. The program will open at Spruce Run School in January and will run from 9:15 am to 3:25 pm. It will follow the CTSD school calendar a n d w i l l s e r v e a p p r o x i m a t e l y 7 5 s t u d e n t s . Eligible students were selected through a lottery process. This full-day program is play-based and is overseen by certificated Early Childhood Educators. We currently have a waiting list for spots in this first year cohort. This program is a huge opportunity for the community as it helps parents secure a quality educational environment for our youngest children. It also allows the district to continue its commitment to help our students be academically and socially ready for future success. In addition, we have to thank our Curriculum Department and some Round Valley staff members for securing the High Impact Tutoring Grant. CTSD was awarded approximately $75,000 to partner with a tutoring provider and to increase our tutoring capacity internally. As the cost of living increases, it is opportunities like the tutoring grant and the preschool program that will continue to help CTSD offer a great PK-8 education. We will continue to look for additional funding opportunities to ensure our district continues to grow and thrive. If you will have a child who will be either three or four by October 1, 2024, please consider applying for a spot for next year. We are already looking to add an extra classroom for next year and the NJDOE has indicated this funding will continue. We will share the link to be considered for the 2024-2025 school year in this Newsletter once it goes live. I wish you all the Happiest of Holidays! – Sincerely, Dr. Melissa Stager, Ed.D Superintendent, CTSD Patrick McGaheran School Each month at Patrick McGaheran School, students learn about our words and themes of the month and how to apply them in words and actions. For the month of December, our word is "generosity" and our theme is "I AM a friend." Students read stories and discuss ways to be generous and to help others, and demonstrate how they are a true friend to others. Our youngest students are so eager to learn and to demonstrate these characteristics, and we are so proud to support them in doing so. Last month brought Election Day, and the students at PMG had a chance to participate by voting for an upcoming Spirit Day! Students from our PMG Friendship Council shared some great ideas, and the winning choice as voted by our PMG Friendship Council is: "Game Day." Students voted that on this day, children will bring in a game to play with friends at some point in the day! Round Valley School December is a fun and busy month at RVS. Students focus on the word of the month – generosity – as they help support our annual giving project. Students are also busy practicing for our winter choral and instrumental concerts. Our PTA hosts winter celebrations, and students have fun with a favorite Spirit Day/Pajama Day! 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 Students and staff at RVS loved dressing up for our recent celebrations. I N O U R S C H O O L S : Dec. 22 Early Dismissal Dec. 25 - Jan 1 School Closed (Winter Recess) Jan. 15 School Closed Jan. 16 School Closed (for students); Prof. Development Day IMPORTANT DATES TO KEEP IN MIND THIS FALL AND EARLY WINTER: "This program is a huge opportunity for the community as it helps parents secure a quality educational environment for our youngest children." – Dr. Stager PeacE On Earth

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