In elementary school art rooms, February is the month that most inspires students to take art to heart. From avant-garde Valentines to Native American weavings, students are immersed in the visual arts. On stage, concerts have featured young musicians, their cellos, trumpets, flutes and voices warming cold winter nights.
But with elementary classrooms already at capacity, Livingston Public Schools may be forced to refashion the art and music spaces where the arts are taught into traditional classrooms to accommodate extra students over the next five to seven years.
That’s among the pressing concerns behind School Vote March 12, a referendum to decide new school construction. The vote follows a yearlong study by school leaders who concluded an emergent need to increase elementary capacity.
Find out what's happening in Livingstonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Continue reading @ The Arts, on Carts.
IN OUR SCHOOLS
Find out what's happening in Livingstonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Learning About the Author, Unplugged : A 'Glog' -- a cross between a blog and website -- introduced students to the writer, but a visit really inspired.
Learning about an author in this digital era is turning out to be a whole lot more than turning the pages of the writer’s work. At Hillside Elementary School, media specialist Colleen Donnelly created an “interactive poster” with pictures and texts -- and links and videos -- for an author study on Dan Yaccarino, the author and illustrator of more than three dozen books and creator and producer of several children’s cartoons on Nick Jr.
The students discovered his books – and TV shows, puzzles and games – and simply devoured such information that he loves candy and creates in a room full of toys.
But learning about the author from his apps showed just so much.
Indeed, “there are some things that you need to experience for real,” said Yaccarino, who while plugging his latest book, “Doug Unplugged” could just have easily been plugging the benefits of author visits to schools.
Children at Hillside Elementary School were excited to meet Yaccarino on February 15. The Montclair native is among the “stars” of the children’s book world visiting Livingston Public Schools, where elementary schools are a stop for other top authors, including Yaccarino, Dan Gutman and Patricia Polacco this year.
Continue reading about the author’s visit by clicking here.
MORE NEWS
Wondering about Livingston's role in the Civil War? There's (soon to be) an app for that. Livingston at 200, the township's yearlong observation of its bicentennial, is about to jump into the digital age. Chris Bickel, Supervisor of Social Studies at Livingston Public School, is mentoring three NJIT students who are developing web-based/interactive games for Livingston second graders to learn more about the history of the township. Continue reading about Livingston in the Digital Age by clicking here.
Old-Fashioned Ice Cream: Heritage students are creating an original flavor for Livingston’s bicentennial.
Academic Achievements: LHS students named National Merit Scholarship finalists.
Debaters Excel at Liberty Bell Classic: LHS Forensics Team competes during President’s Day weekend.
Getting Ready for the 1st Day of Kindergarten: Parents of incoming kindergarten students are invited to an informational meeting on March 5. All Kindergarten registrations must be done in person by appointment. Call (973) 535-8000, ext. #8002.
COMMUNITY FORUMS FOR SCHOOL VOTE MARCH 12
On Tuesday, March 12, voters in Livingston are being asked to decide new school construction at the elementary schools – including new media centers and classrooms -- and improvements at the older portion of Livingston High School, which would bring the entire school to federal ADA standards for accessibility.
If approved, the referendum would allow LPS to create 14 new classrooms to ease soft borders, decrease class size, provide space for additional special education programs, and make room for new students predicted to move into our town.
School leaders are hosting a forum for parents with interest in the special education component of the referendum at 7 p.m., Wednesday, February 27 at the Livingston Public Schools’ administrative offices at 11 Foxcroft Drive.
A community forum is also being presented next week, at 7 p.m. Tuesday, February 26 at Riker Hill Elementary School, 31 Blackstone Drive.
Both forums will include presentations and Q&A. You may email questions to schoolvoteMarch12@livingston.org
Learn more on the Districts’ website – including answered to your questions -- by clicking here.
You will also find news on the referendum and a video was produced at the LHS television studios for an inside look at the schools to help voters be fully informed when going to the polls on March 12. See the video by clicking here.
COMMUNITY NEWS
Environmental Film Series: Film festival begins February 27 with 'Journey of the Universe.'
Children with Special Needs: Winter Sports Clinic. The Livingston Advisory Committee for Disabilities (LACD) is sponsoring a wiffle ball clinic on Sunday, March 3.
Find more community news on our Bulletin Board by clicking here.
