Clinton Township Newsletter

1 2 a p r i l 2 0 2 6 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 IMPORTANT DATES TO KEEP IN MIND: April 1: Paraprofessionals' Day April 2: Early Dismissal April 3-10: Schools Closed/ Spring Break April 2: World Autism Awareness Day April 4: National School Librarian Day April 22: Earth Day April 15 & 16: Registration Event – PMG and SRPS April 28: School Bus Driver Appreciation Day www.ctsdnj.org 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 CTSD has been selected to participate in the Sustainable School Food Service & Cafeterias Initiative, a new statewide effort to reduce cafeteria food waste, lower costs, and advance sustainable food service practices in K–12 schools across New Jersey. CTSD is one of nine school districts from across the state selected to take part in a "Learning & Doing Cohort" that will run through June 2027. By tackling cafeteria waste, districts can conserve resources, cut disposal costs, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and help students build lifelong sustainability habits. CTSD will receive a $5,000 planning grant and is eligible for a $10,000 cost-reimbursable implementation grant to support sustainable cafeteria practices in at least one school. The district will conduct pre- and post-implementation waste audits to measure impact and help inform future statewide guidance. "Reducing food waste in schools is not just about shrinking the garbage pile," said Véronique Lambert, program manager, Sustainable Jersey for Schools. "It's about changing mindsets, building healthier habits, and investing in the next generation of environmental stewards. When schools take a hard look at their waste stream, they uncover opportunities not just to cut food waste, but to save money, reduce emissions, support students in need, and deliver meaningful, interdisciplinary learning." The Sustainable School Food Service & Cafeterias Initiative is funded by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and the Gardinier Environmental Fund and is administered by the Sustainability Institute at The College of New Jersey, which manages the Sustainable Jersey program. For more information about the initiative, visit the Sustainable Jersey for Schools website: www. SustainableJerseySchools.com/grants/sustainable-school-food- service-cafeterias/. About Sustainable Jersey for Schools: Sustainable Jersey for Schools is a free, voluntary certification program for pre- kindergarten through twelfth-grade public schools in New Jersey. The program provides tools, training, financial incentives, and recognition to help schools operate more sustainably and prepare students for future challenges. Today, 67% of New Jersey public school districts and more than 1,230 schools participate. To date, the program has awarded more than $3.6 million in grants. To learn more, visit: www.SustainableJerseySchools.com. – Sincerely, Dr. Melissa Stager, Ed.D Superintendent, CTSD A MESSAGE FROM DR. STAGER, CTSD SUPERINTENDENT Clinton Township School District Selected for Statewide Effort to Cut Cafeteria Food Waste Spruce Run Preschool Preschoolers Get Curious About Pets! The preschool program has been having a blast with their Pets unit as part of Creative Curriculum! Over the past few weeks, our little learners have been diving deep into the world of pets — exploring what makes an animal a pet, the difference between pets and wild animals, how we care for them, and what they need to stay happy and healthy. In the classroom, children have been busy sorting and comparing different types of pets, looking closely at how animals move, eat, and communicate, and talking about what it means to be a responsible pet owner. Through hands-on activities, read-alouds, dramatic play, and art projects, our preschoolers are building early science and literacy skills while developing empathy and compassion for animals and the people who love them. Patrick McGaheran School Books are everywhere at PMG as students have been diving into special reading celebrations! In January, students participated in READBowl, counting their daily reading minutes and showing off their enthusiasm for books. Then in March, we celebrated Read Across America Week, with students sharing favorite stories and discovering new books to love. March brought extra excitement this year with some special reading festivities! Guest readers visited classrooms, inspiring students with their love of literature, and the CTEF Read-a-Thon gave students even more motivation to pick up a book and keep turning pages. Keep reading! Incoming Kindergarten families, please mark your calendars for April 15, which is our Whole School Registration Event at PMG! Families who have started the registration process will receive an invitation to come that day to complete their paperwork and finalize enrollment. Substitute Teach on College Break! Want job flexibility and great pay? If you are a college student with at least 30 credits we would love to have you substitute teach in Clinton Township Schools! To serve as a substitute you need at least 30 credits and a substitute teaching certificate. To apply to sub in CTSD please use this link: https://bit.ly/3DYG4WZ. Someone will reach out to you after you complete your application. Want Great Flexibility and Pay? Substitute Teach or be a Substitute Nurse at CTSD! Whether you are retired, in between jobs, or just want to work occasionally, substitute teaching allows you to support students in the community while maintaining a flexible schedule. CTSD pays $150 a day and $75 for a half day. We would love you to join our district!Please use the link that follows to apply: https://bit.ly/3DYG4WZ . I N O U R S C H O O L S :

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