Clinton Township Newsletter

CLINTON TOWNSHIP SCHOOL NEWS www.ctsd.k12.nj.us A L e t t e r f r o m Dr. Drucilla Clark, Superintendent of Schools "Learning is not attained by chance, it must be sought for with ardor and diligence". Abigail Adams Dear Parents and Community Members: Right now the school district is in the midst of working through the new teacher evaluation process. Administrators are working to meet the legal observation requirements and get into classrooms with the specific purpose of completing over 800 observations (each teacher in the district must be observed multiple times) and assessing student learning. Each observation takes multiple hours of viewing, writing and dialogue with every teacher. As a group of 8 full-time and 1 part-time administrators, this is going to be quite challenging for us to complete in the time frame allotted. The process is one of going into the classroom and gathering evidence in the areas of: planning and preparation, classroom environment, instruction and program and professional responsibility. It is very specific to what the teacher and students say and do in the room. Then the evidence gets categorized into the four specific areas and graded. Areas of strengths, growth and recommendations are completed. All Clinton Township administrators have been trained and certified in this evaluation system. Some of these observations are announced and some are not. Some are for longer periods of time and some are short. We have always done observations, however this year there are more and they each involve a much more comprehensive focus on student learning and the evidence noting each component in detail. It is not about a teacher putting on a show, but about children learning what is being taught. It is a more intense process of evaluation and we will have to see if this makes a difference for children. There will be data collected and evidence reviewed. This time intensive procedure will gather critics and supporters along the way. As Superintendent, I see the possibilities for success and failure. It offers opportunities for each teacher to clearly view their teaching performance through an objective lens of student learning. We will fail if the procedures overwhelm the ability to manage growth. In Clinton Township, we will focus on the positive opportunities for student learning and teacher growth. Then in June, we will assess our progress. The real challenge will be time. We will need to maintain our ability to communicate and lead, as well as manage the buildings while still completing the observation process with integrity. I know the intent of the State was good in this redesign; however as I have 90 teacher observation meetings myself this month throughout the district, as well as being sure I meet all my other obligations as Superintendent, I am beginning to question the wisdom of the details imposed. Stay tuned for progress notes as we work through this new operational challenge in our schools and create more success for all our learners. to C linton T ownship S chool D istrict Locate and Identify Students with Disabilities The Clinton Township School District has a responsibility to locate, identify and evaluate all resident students with disabilities who are in need of special education and related services, including students with disabilities attending nonpublic schools and highly mobile students with disabilities such as migrant and homeless students. The school district locates, identifies and evaluates, where appropriate, the following: children below school-entry age (3-5); school age children; children entering school for the first time; children enrolled in public and private schools; transfer pupils and school age children who are eligible to attend school but who are not attending school and who are residents of the Clinton Township School District. Upon written requests, the district will conduct an initial identification meeting for a resident child to determine whether a referral for special education and related services is appropriate. Such a request may be made by contacting Dr. Harold M. Tarriff, Interim Director of Special Services, Clinton Township School District, 34 Grayrock Road, Clinton, NJ, 08809 at 908.238.9141, ext. 244. The School District provides special education and related services for children ages 3 to 21. Information for children with potential disabilities or those with disabilities from birth to three is available through Project CHILD FIND, a service established by the N.J. Department of Education through I.D.E.A., Part B funds from the U.S. Department of Education at 1-800-322-8174. CTSD B o a r d N o v e m b e r E d u c at i o n November 18, December 16, January 6, 2014– Reorganization Meeting Meetings will be held on the fourth Monday of the month, except where noted. Meetings held at CTMS (34 Grayrock Rd.) in the Auditorium or Library at 7:30 pm. Find out what's going on in our schools, meet the Board and the Superintendent! All residents of CT are encouraged to attend, not just the parents of CTSD children. For BOE meeting minutes, visit: www.ctsd.k12.nj.us Clinton Township School District Mission Statement Sincerely, Dr. Drucilla Clark, Superintendent, Clinton Township School District 1 2 www.ClintonTwpNewsletter.com of Board Meeting Dates for the 2013 calendar year: 2 0 1 3

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