Livingston Preps For Back To School Nights; 1st Day Of Class Begins

LIVINGSTON, NJ — The following article comes courtesy of Marilyn Joyce Lehren, manager of communications/community outreach for Livingston Public Schools, with additional Patch reporting. Send local news tips, photos and press releases to eric.kiefer@patch.com. Don’t forget to visit the Patch Livingston Facebook page here.

Livingston Public Schools officially open the day after Labor Day, but long before the first bells ring, teachers and staff have been back to work as lifelong learners, organizing classrooms, papering walls with welcoming messages. Schools shine as custodians deep clean entire schools, waxing floors and pushing brooms. New faculty took part in an orientation that literally eclipsed their expectations. It’s all part of a team effort to get schools student ready for Tuesday, Sept. 5.

The new school year for about 850 teachers and staff began on Wednesday, Aug. 30 with a convocation by Superintendent Christina Steffner and three days of professional development. A special program was organized to make new teachers feel welcome and provided all the practical things they need to know to be successful. They met teacher-mentors and the principals who will offer support throughout the year.

On Day 1 for these new teachers, Monday, Aug. 21, the support was easy: Administrators handed out the protective glasses needed to safely watch the solar eclipse. Then together, they stepped outside for communal stargazing.

Looking ahead to this school year, Superintendent Steffner said administrators have finalized and adopted a strategic map to continue a legacy of excellence. They are developing strategies around 1:1 computing and using technology in meaningful ways. The district will pilot new class schedules at Heritage Middle School and a STEAM (Sciences, Technology, Engineering/Design, Arts, Mathematics) program for Grades K-6.

“Schools are working to infuse mindfulness at all levels and creating a challenging and nurturing environment for every student,” Mrs. Steffner said.

Helping students achieve academically is a goal. But in her convocation the superintendent reminded educators, it is equally as important to provide students a supportive and safe place in this time of global uncertainties.

“While it is a huge task, I cannot think of a better group of people to manage that,” Mrs. Steffner said.

• See related article: Livingston Teachers Sing In The New School Year (WATCH)
• See related article: Livingston School Calendar 2017-18: First Day Of School, Vacations, Conferences

Teacher assignments and schedules are posted in the Genesis Parent Access, the online technology Livingston uses to share student information, report cards and attendance. Parents are reminded to update contact information and complete electronic forms.

In the middle schools and LHS, teachers and students will transition to Schoology, a learning management system, to communicate online. Replacing the district teacher webpages, Schoology will provide a central place to find course information, including assignments and materials. Genesis will remain as the official gradebook and the primary resource for reviewing grades.

Back-to-school night, an important ritual marking the beginning of the new school year, have been scheduled at each of the schools:

• Wednesday, Sept. 13: Heritage*
• Thursday, Sept. 14: LHS*
• Tuesday, Sept. 19: Mt. Pleasant Elementary
• Tuesday, Sept. 26: Burnet Hill
• Wednesday, Sept. 27: Hillside
• Wednesday, Sept. 27: Riker Hill
• Thursday, Sept. 28: Collins
• Thursday, Sept. 28: Harrison
• Wednesday, Oct. 4: Mt. Pleasant Middle

* Parent training on 1:1 devices will take place prior to back-to-school nights at Heritage and LHS.

See the Livingston district’s Back To School guide here.

According to the Livingston Public Schools calendar, the 2017 Back to School Nights take place at times including 6:45, 7 and 7:30 p.m. Check for the time of your school’s scheduled event here.

Photos: Livingston Public Schools