2023 School Updates In Montclair: Referendum, Pre-K, New Partnerships

MONTCLAIR, NJ — 2022 proved to be an epic journey in the Montclair Public School District, with several important developments taking place, including the passage of a landmark, $188 million bond referendum. But there’s plenty more coming down the pike in 2023, according to Superintendent Jonathan Ponds.

Ponds recently gave a pre-holiday update for the community, sharing some upcoming highlights and plans in the district.

SCHOOL BOND

According to Ponds, the district is already moving forward with the next phase of the school bond project and accompanying construction.

“The next phase of the community investment/bond referendum has begun which includes selecting a construction management firm to oversee logistics, procurement, scheduling, and proper completion of bond projects to ensure that repairs are completed in a timely and cost-effective manner and with minimal disruption to students and staff,” Ponds wrote.

The superintendent continued:

“The board approved an advisory committee of professionals with expertise, to be supervised by me, who will follow our policy for advisory committees. We will also establish a volunteer community committee to help us keep the public informed of the administration of projects and provide feedback to us along the way. We are immensely appreciative and grateful to our Business Office, Executive Communications Director David Cantor and tireless efforts of PTAC volunteers, under the direction of PTAC President Tessie Thomas, for their work on the District’s historic $188 million plan to repair Montclair’s beautiful but very old buildings.”

UNIVERSAL PRE-K

Ponds also gave an update on the district’s new pre-k program. He wrote:

“In the beginning of this school year, more than 200 parents and caregivers applied through a randomized lottery for 59 seats in six new, fully-certified and inclusive classrooms that — thanks to Special Education Supervisor Jennifer Finnerty, who stepped in to lead the effort — we were able to open in early October, less than a month after we’d been awarded new state funding. We are already deep in planning for the 2023-24 school year, when the district will work with community providers to open six more classrooms.”

As part of the state grant, district administrators are assembling a community advisory council to oversee implementation, Ponds said.

“We’re also taking steps to ensure that next year’s larger student selection process continues to yield an economically and ethnically diverse population,” he wrote. “It is exciting to see this develop as more and more of our youngest learners get to experience high-quality pre-K.”

• See related article: $970K In State Aid Will Power Free Preschool Program In Montclair

NEW/EXPANDED PARTNERSHIPS

Ponds also gave some details about new and expanding partnerships in the district. They included:

Essex County College – “At its December 12 meeting the Montclair Board of Education approved a Memorandum of Understanding with Essex County College to provide a dual enrollment program for our high school students to take courses earning college credit and in some cases graduating with Associate’s Degrees together with their high school diplomas. Thanks to the efforts of Principal Jeff Freeman and his team, beginning in school year 2023-24, we can offer our students opportunities to save money and finish college early.”

Essex County Schools of Technology – “Through a new partnership with Essex County Schools of Technology, Principal Freeman and his team are designing a program for students to participate in shared-time learning at the West Caldwell Campus in the morning and then spend afternoons completing core courses at MHS. Programming at the Essex County Technology campus will consist of automotive, construction, cosmetology, culinary, and other courses. A family night is planned for January 17 to learn more about what is available. The high school will be sending out information after the new year.”

Hackensack Meridian Mountainside Medical Center (Mountainside) – “Thanks to a new partnership the District formed earlier this month with Mountainside, free medical services for Montclair residents at Hillside and Glenfield schools will begin later this winter. The new collaboration will allow residents across town to receive free health screenings, referrals, and vaccines administered by medical professionals during after school and early evening hours. Mountainside will also offer a lecture series on common health problems like diabetes and hypertension. Interim Pupil Services Director David Goldblatt is leading the effort. Stay tuned for details.”

Kean University – “Kean University will be providing professional development for principals including instructional leadership. We are excited about our building leaders having this opportunity. We understand it is the District’s responsibility to provide professional development, and this new partnership will expand our resources to provide more tools to assist them. Through our joint efforts with Kean University, we support our principals in this critical journey serving our students, staff and families.”

Montclair State University (MSU) – “Our newest partnership with MSU is the Weston Health Internship Program (WHIP), which allows students to shadow doctors and hospital administrators at Hackensack Meridian Mountainside Medical Center during three weeks in the summer and learn first-hand about professional opportunities in health care. We are also expanding the Montclair Academic Dual Enrollment (MADE) program. MADE gives high school seniors the opportunity to take a minimum of 12 college credits (two classes in the fall and two in the spring) in STEM courses. Additionally, MSU is home to the Weston Science Scholars program, whereby students spend five weeks in the summer conducting hands-on research with scientists in the fields of marine biology, biochemistry, physics, computer science and more. Teachers, as well as students, benefit from our relationship with MSU because they have the opportunity to become clinical faculty members and can use MSU resources, including on-campus libraries, professional development programming and attend academic conferences. Our teachers also work with MSU student-teachers and this ultimately gives the District a diverse pool for hiring future teachers.”

Restorative Justice (RJ) – “We are happy to report that RJ is in its fourth year. After initially piloting the program in four schools (Edgemont, Glenfield, Renaissance, and MHS), we expanded this year to include three more (Bradford, Bullock, and Buzz). With the expansion we now have Teachers on Special Assignment in all seven RJ schools. Nearly all administrators have been circle-trained and plans are in the making to train all. Through community engagement efforts, many have come to understand the foundational principles of RJ and are working together to communicate its spirit, strengths and opportunities for changing the school culture and climate. When we create inclusive spaces where all children are seen and heard, it has an impact on our suspension rates and students’ social-emotional well-being.”

Culturally Responsive Training – “In partnership with the Coalition of Schools Educating Boys of Color (COSEBOC) we are now working with our principals on cultural responsiveness. As our goal is to become a culturally responsive District, we want to give strategies to our building leaders to do so. Culturally responsive training will continue for Central Office, Buildings and Grounds and school personnel.”

OTHER HIGHLIGHTS

According to Ponds, other district highlights to be aware of in 2023 include:

New Special Education Handbook for Parents – “In partnership with the Special Education Parents Advisory Council, the District is in the final stages of production on a landmark parent/caregiver handbook. For the first time Montclair parents seeking services for their child will have an explanation of their rights and a detailed guide for navigating every step of the process. And for all things Special Education, don’t forget to check out the Pupil Services quarterly newsletters.”

Deepening Literacy Instruction – “The District has arranged for nationally renowned dyslexia expert Judy Shapiro to lead three training sessions during the spring (February 23, March 23, and April 27) for teachers who use the phonics-focused, research-backed Orton-Gillingham reading framework to build student literacy.”

Social Emotional Developments – “The long-term trauma arising from COVID has spotlighted the need to build healthy and healing school environments; traumatized students who aren’t thoughtfully supported have a difficult time learning. This fall the District began partnering with community service providers like IMAGINE, a center that works with grieving students and their families, and Quantum Psychotherapy, which will help us to build trauma-informed school cultures across the districts. Thanks to the efforts of the Pupil Services office and new Mental Health Coordinator Maggie Dock, Montclair was recently selected for participation in the state’s 2023-24 DREAMS Program, which also helps students and educators manage trauma, anxiety, and stress. References and resources can be found on our Mental Health Resources & Supports page to assist families when their needs extend beyond the school day.”

Every Student Continues to Get A Chromebook; Enhanced Cybersecurity – “The District’s 1:1 program continues into its second year, with a Chromebook provided to every Montclair student. The Technology Department has also provided Wi-Fi service to any family that needs it. For more recent accomplishments, including improvements in cybersecurity that have led to a 15 percent decrease in phishing attempts and compromised accounts.”

Family Engagement for English Language Learners (ELL) – “An evening workshop for ELL families was held December 13 and attended by more than 40 families. Spanish tutorial videos for navigating Genesis were presented and interpreter and counseling assistance were available. Supervisor of English as a Second Language (ESL) and World Language Vicky Chang shared ways for ELL families to connect with schools and introduced ways for parents to be supportive. The District will continue to provide more family engagement activities as we welcome our ELL families. On the horizon for school year 2023-24 is an adult education program through the partnership with Essex County College, that will include both ESL and workforce classes for our ELL families but also will be open to our entire school community.”

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