Clinton Township Newsletter

1 0 J u n e 2 0 1 4 www.ClintonTwpNewsletter.com 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.ctsd.k12.nj.us Dear Residents of Clinton Township: June has arrived and the end of the school year is upon us! Concerts and Move-Up Dances and Graduation events make us smile at this time of year. I love how music fills the hall- ways and puts an extra beat in our steps. Another great year in the Clinton Township School District is coming to a close. It will be a year remembered for crazy weather and what seemed liked endless snow. Our students raised money for many causes and helped schools with special needs in Edison and Camden. Our littlest students helped each other with Friendship Benches (a place to go when you need a friend to play with-and they find you) and Spruce Run even wrote a song about what a special place their school is-a place where friendship grows! Older students served as peer leaders and planned school events to build character and resolve problems. Parents came to our buildings in droves filling up every available parking spot for the Clinton Township Musi- cal production. They came for the reading of student author fairy tales and science research labs to share and point to with pride. We ate lunches together and sang together and spent a Diversity night that celebrated our differences and what we have in common. Our students field tested the new online state tests (PARCC) and shared what they learned. Our students celebrated Pi day in math classes, crazy hair day, inside out day, animal print day and zillions of others that made us laugh together. A school year is not just a series of classroom moments, but memories of assemblies and playgrounds and lunchrooms and special events that fill every nook and cranny of the mind and day. As a person who loves school and smiles every time I enter a building filled with classrooms and children, the end of a year brings a bit of sadness that another year has passed and children will move on and up to greater adven- tures. I feel proud we have prepared each of them for their next steps and look forward to opening again in September and hearing the laughter and footsteps in the halls again. Enjoy the closing days and have a happy summer... and… don't forget to read some great books on the beach! With appreciation for another wonderful school year in Clinton Township, Dr. Drucilla Clark, Superintendent, Clinton Township School District email: dclark@dclark@ctsd.k12.nj.us "What is one to say about June, the time of perfect young summer, the fulfillment of the promise of the earlier months, and with as yet no sign to remind one that its fresh young beauty will ever fade." ~ Gertrude Jekyll C t S D B o a r D o f e D u C a t i o n : B o a r D M e e t i n g D a t e S f o r t h e 2 0 1 4 C a l e n D a r y e a r : June 23, 2014, July 28, 2014, August 25, 2014, September 22, 2014, October 27, 2014, November 17, 2014*, December 15, 2014*, January 5, 2015* – Reorganization Meetings will be held on the fourth Monday of the month, except where noted *. Unforeseen circumstances may force the rescheduling of these meetings. In such cases, notice will be given as provided in the Open Public Meetings Act. Meetings are held at Clinton Township Middle School (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 What's upcoming: In March, the CTFEE voted to fund a NEW GRANT for Patrick McGaheran School. This innovative program will help grades 2 and 3 meet (and exceed) new State Core Curriculum requirements and more im- portantly, create an exciting opportunity to experience literature (fairytales) come to life. This 2014-2015 school-wide theme will include teaching tools, performances and many memorable moments for staff and students alike. Grants in Action: The CTFEE has funded robotics programs at both Spruce Run and Patrick McGaheran Schools. Both programs have been well received, participation is active, and these grants are helping to foster inter- est in robotics, engineering… and fun! Ask your children to tell you more. We'd like to thank our investors! Your generous donations help make these grants possible. To give, get involved, or just learn more- please visit us at clintontownshipfoundation.org. Ask your employer if they match chari- table donations. We are a 501(c) and your donations are tax-deductible. Want to help? There are two ways to make a donation. 1. Mail a check payable to: The Clinton Township Foundation for Educational Excellence, P.O. Box 183, Annandale, NJ 08801 2. Donate online by clicking on the "Network for Good" link. Questions? Please email: ctfoundation@ctsd.k12.nj.us. t h e C l i n t o n t o w n S h i p f o u n D a t i o n f o r e D u C a t i o n a l e x C e l l e n C e a l e t t e r f r o M Dr. Drucilla Clark, Superintendent of Schools

• Cover