Clinton Township Newsletter

1 2 J u l y 2 0 1 6 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 I N O U R S C H O O L S : SuRScho Congratulations and best wishes to John Simms (Mr. John!), our daytime custodian at Spruce Run School, who will be retiring this summer after 12 years in our district. Mr. John has taken such pride in our school, ensuring that a clean, safe environment was provided for our students and staff. Mr. John could always be counted on for a warm and cheerful greeting each morning; a detailed routine throughout the day to keep the school clean and a smile for every child each day. We celebrated a special "Mr. John Day" at school in June with our students and staff to recognize all that he has done for our school. We are so grateful for Mr. John and while we will miss him very much, we know that he will enjoy time with his family and pursuing his many hobbies in retirement! PaickMcGahScho Two long-standing educators at PMG will be retiring at the end of this school year. Although we are thrilled for both as they embark on new adventures in their lives, we are also deeply saddened by their departure. Both have contributed so much to the educational foundation of our students. Mrs. Sheryl Spinks, Teaching Assistant: Mrs. Spinks has shared her pleasant, sunshiny personality with students and staff since 2001. In addition to working as a teaching assistant in both second and third grades, she has also welcomed students into the building each morning as PMG's bus captain. As bus captain, she maintained the safety of students, while greeting them with a smile and hello as they started their day. In the classroom she worked to help students reach their academic goals as they gained independence and skills. We know that Mrs. Spinks is going to enjoy the extra time she can spend with her family. We wish Mrs. Spinks well in her retirement! Mr. Dennis Stinner, Teacher: Mr. Stinner began teaching at PMG in 2004 after moving back to NJ, following years of teaching in Georgia. Mr. Stinner is known for his light-hearted, good natured and deeply caring personality. He has made learning experiences fun and memorable for students over his years at PMG. Throughout his tenure Mr. Stinner has served as a mentor for novice and student teachers, who are now successful teachers themselves. He has served on numerous committees, attended countless evening events, and lent a hand to anyone who needed one. Mr. Stinner was recognized as PMG's Teacher of the Year in 2010. We will miss having Mr. Stinner in the building, but will never forget all that he has contributed to the students and staff of PMG! RdVScho Mrs. Heidi Zimmerman, Teacher: Mrs. Zimmerman decided to become a teacher after 9-11 ~ she wanted to make a difference. She already had a degree and was working in the field of advertising and interior design. She went back to school for a graduate level teaching certificate and started a job teaching first graders. Mrs. Zimmerman has been teaching for 13 years, the past nine in Clinton Township. She taught third graders at PMG for two years and came to RVS teaching sixth grade for the past seven years. Mrs. Zimmerman's passion for teaching math was evident in her classroom. Mrs. Zimmerman has served on numerous committees and can put a 6th grade schedule together in a snap! This year she organized a field trip to 'Grow a Row' which correlates beautifully with our Round Valley Garden. Mrs. Zimmerman shared that she has had so many great memories that include being in talent shows, many fun field trips, particularly in 3rd grade to Echo Hill Stream and the Red Mill, and making the Kindness Boomerang video with 6th graders in 2014. She is so grateful for the time she had teaching with her colleagues. Her new home will be in Delaware and we wish her all the best in her new endeavors! Thank you Mrs. Zimmerman! 4th Grade Wax Museum – Students in 4th grade researched a person in history whom they admired. They conducted research, wrote a report, then wrote a script as if they were that person. Parents joined students as they performed in the wax museum. It was a fantastic time for all. Here are some of the people we heard from: John F. Kennedy Ben Franklin Kate DiCamillo Annie Oakley Beatrix Potter Pocahontas Charles Schultz Mozart Amelia Earhart Cleopatra Michelle Obama Theodore Roosevelt Winston Churchill Ulysses S. Grant Abe Lincoln Jim Henson James Naismith King Tut Bill Gates JK Rowling Robert Cade Amelia Earhart Abraham Lincoln Beethoven Walt Disney Queen Victoria Charles Dickens Lemony Snicket George Washington Alexander Graham Bell Queen Elizabeth 5th Grade students took part in JA Biztown (Junior Achievement) and loved it! To participate in JA Biztown students took part in 13 lessons that teachers presented targeting 21st Century Skills. One such lesson focused on the art of interviewing. Students learned the importance of the firm handshake and greeting when Clinton Township School District Mission Statement: 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. t H e C l i n t o n t o W n S H i p F o u n d at 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 Please consider partnering with the Clinton Township Foundation for Educational Excellence by commemorating your child's educational journey with the purchase of a seat! Personalize your inscription in the In Honor of section to make it extra special! To do so, please visit the Foundation's website: www.ctsd.k12.nj.us/foundation-for-educational-excellence and select DONATE NOW. Thank you in advance! I just wanted to take a moment to say thank you for the wonderful opportunity to work as your Superintendent of Schools for the past four years. I am retiring to spend more time with my family. It has been an honor and pleasure working with the Board of Education, the teachers and staff, the parents and students. There are many challenges facing the school and the town itself. Decisions about the lack of growth will impact the future. Please take the time to attend meetings of the Board of Education and the Town Council. Decisions cannot be made in a vacuum. If viable plans for dealing with change are not considered by the entire community, the town will atrophy and wither away. It will not be good for home values. It is time to have conversations that will not only face the reality, but create opportunity. Schools are the heart of great communities. Please work together to open hearts and minds for the greater good. Enjoy the summer, but please pay attention to the changes surrounding your town and schools. Stay active and make a difference! With appreciation, Dr. Drucilla Clark A L e t t e r f r o m Dr. Drucilla Clark, Superintendent of Schools Dear Clinton Township Community Members:

• Cover