Hawthorne School District - Hawthorne, NJ
Jefferson Elementary School has been
selected as a National Blue Ribbon School! Congratulations to the entire Jefferson Community!
Please Click Here to see the US Department of Education's announcement!
Message from the
Superintendent
United States Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan, has designated Thomas Jefferson Elementary School as a National Blue Ribbon School for 2011. "America's long-term economic prosperity and civic engagement depends on our children receiving a world-class education," Duncan said. "National Blue Ribbon Schools are committed to accelerating student achievement and preparing students for success in college and careers. Their success is an example for others to follow."
Jefferson's designation as a Blue Ribbon School is based on its overall academic success. Jefferson is one of seven public schools in New Jersey and the only Passaic County School to be recognized with this prestigious Blue Ribbon Designation.
Principal Rosanne Zagatta, and Jefferson School's third grade teacher/2008-2009 Passaic County Teacher of the Year Lisa Ruben will be traveling to Washington D.C. on November 14th and 15th to attend the National Blue Ribbon School Awards Ceremony hosted by U.S. Secretary of Education Duncan. In December, Superintendent Robert P. Mooney, Principal Rosanne Zagatta, and Jefferson School's third grade teacher/ 2002-2003 Passaic County Teacher of the Year Patricia Temprano, will be attending a state recognition celebration in Trenton honoring all the New Jersey Blue Ribbon Schools.
Mrs. Zagatta has said, "The award is a combination of the efforts of students, staff, and parents. The education of each child is first and foremost in the Jefferson School community. It is the tradition at Jefferson School to educate the student to be a lifelong learner. The receipt of this award reflects that priority."
the impact of the efforts of Mrs. Zagatta cannot be overstated. Her low key, supportive and inclusive approach helps bring the entire Jefferson School Community together with the single focus of serving the educational needs of our children. A special note of thanks to John Peraino for his tireless efforts and assistance in the completion of the detailed application.
The rollout for referendum projects is on schedule and we anticipate that most initiatives will be completed by the start of school. For the sake of simplicity, we have narrated the status with accompanying pictures by school and district-wide initiatives.
In the high school, work is being completed on sidewalk and curb replacements in the front and rear of the school. The Parmelee Avenue sidewalk area will include decorative imprinted brick pavers. On the Bamford Avenue side, parked cars will be moved away from the building by the redesign of the sidewalk and curb area.
Additionally, upgrades of classroom unit ventilators, “air exchangers,” and temperature control are in progress and will be completed by September. The bleacher safety upgrades have been completed with a fresh new look. The exterior door and roof replacements are scheduled for completion in August. The installation of the field lighting and the refurbishment of the track are anticipated to be complete prior to the first scheduled home football game.
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At Lincoln Middle School, the replacement of the curbing and rear sidewalk is complete. Work on the front entrance steps is underway and again will be completed prior to the September opening. Installation of new interior doors will take place in August.
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Work has begun on all Roosevelt School projects including replacement of four roof sections. Room modifications to the media center and room 114B (the old art room) are well under way and we anticipate completion by mid-August. The demolition of the two boilers including the removal of the tube sheets and tubes has been completed. Final repairs will be completed by late August.
The security fencing at Washington School was installed during the spring of 2011. The refurbishment of the front steps and building façade is scheduled for completion by late August. All scheduled work at Jefferson School will be started in early August after the completion of our extended year special education program.
The district-wide electrical upgrade and communication wiring is currently being worked on in Washington School and Lincoln Middle School. The Board of Education has approved the purchase of up to 450 Dell computers and 130 Promethean interactive white boards. This hardware will be ordered and installed on completion of the electric and communication wiring. We anticipate completion of the technology initiative by the early to mid fall.
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The district will also be purchasing outside fiber wiring, which will connect each of the district schools to the central hub located at the high school media center. Additionally, we will be installing a new Voice-over-IP telephone system, which in the long run will improve our communications and reduce our costs on call distribution as well as long distance service.
Finally, there are two facility projects unrelated to the referendum. First, Andrew Cruz, a Hawthorne High School graduate of 2011, working with a team of volunteers refurbished both ticket booths at the Allison King Athletic Field as part of Andrew’s Eagle Scout project. The work included new roofing, siding, and doors. Special note of thanks to Andrew Cruz for organizing the team and completing the task on time, all free to the tax payers of Hawthorne.
Second, the high school gymnasium emergency exit stairs have been removed. The brick and lentle have been replaced, and the new galvanized staircase with landing has been manufactured and will be installed before the start to the school year.
Overall, the referendum rollout and all related projects are on target. I would like to thank the members of the Board of Education for their diligence during committee and public meetings. I would also like to express appreciation to Catherine Jenisch, Business Administrator, and Jack De Knight, Supervisor of Buildings and Grounds, for the countless hours of hard work well beyond the traditional workday. And finally, I would like to thank Joseph Brislin, Principal of Roosevelt School, and head of our Technology Committee, and Yanal Saleh, Network Administrator for all their efforts on technology infra-structure, hardware, and software and professional development.
Sincerely,
Robert P. Mooney
Superintendent of Schools
Superintendent of Schools
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BOE Upcoming Events
- Special Meeting - Action will be taken - Vote on Substitutes
February 01, 2012 (6:15 PM)
(District) - Board Candidate Petition Filing Deadline
February 27, 2012 (4:00 PM)
(District)For more information, please click here to view the School Board Candidacy press release, which can also be found under the "Notices" link located on the left side bar.
- Monthly Board Meeting - Public
February 28, 2012 (8:00 PM)
(District)