Back To School In Montclair: New Administrators, Strategic Plan

MONTCLAIR, NJ — Montclair public school students are headed back to class for a new year this week. But the work didn’t stop at the administrative offices of the district this summer, interim superintendent Damen Cooper says.

Cooper – who took over as superintendent after Jonathan Ponds died unexpectedly in July – recently sent a back-to-school letter to parents and staff.

He wrote:

“In light of the sudden and tragic loss of Dr. Jonathan Ponds in July, we are deeply reminded to make every moment count. Every day is special. Your children are special! We thank the Montclair community for your outpouring of sympathy and support, and we are poised to enter school year 2024-25 with strength, resilience and an energized spirit to continue his work and reach even greater heights. Custodians have been hard at work preparing the facilities, teachers began professional development and new teachers were welcomed to our family. We are ready and more resolved than ever to provide the best education that our students and families deserve.”

Cooper continued:

“Important to note is that our five-year Strategic Plan with goals and objectives was presented and approved at the August 12 Board of Education Meeting. Action steps are underway which will allow us to reach our District goals, and we are excited to see the fruits of implementation. These steps will be reviewed and evaluated continuously so as to keep our focus on achievement and make adjustments when indicated to ensure progress and success. We thank the community for their engagement in this process and encourage you to follow our plans on the District website. We are truly building a legacy.”

According to Cooper, new administrators in the district will include:

• Jennifer Griffith has been hired as director of counseling K-12 and will be starting in October. She has a personal connection to the district as an alumnus of MHS and has 20 years’ experience in the counseling field, three of which were as a director.
• Erika Pierce has joined the senior staff team at the Central Office as the director of English language arts (ELA) and health/PE. She has been an integral part of the summer start-up activities, and her experience will be invaluable with curricula and supporting teachers.
• Glenfield interim principal Marcos Vargas was appointed and began Aug. 19. He has a wealth of educational experience and is happy to be rejoining the Montclair family. A search for a permanent principal will begin in January.
• Former assistant principal of HIllside, Edwyn Acevedo, is now the principal, and he looks forward to continuing to meet the needs of students and families at Hillside.

Cooper recapped some of the district’s accomplishments during the previous school year. They included:

• Increased opportunities for multiple pathways for success beyond high school
• Career and Technical Education (CTE) and apprenticeship and trade certification programs at the high school which include, for example: carpentry, welding, robotics, and manufacturing supply chain
• Pathways for entry into the healthcare profession with the Weston Health Internship Program (WHIP) at the high school
• Dual enrollment for MHS students at Montclair State University, Kean University and Essex County College which can lead to an associates degree upon high school graduation depending on course credits
• New initiative for adults in the community to attend free classes in the manufacturing and supply chain industries with a path to certification
• Continued use of Acadience and IXL assessments to be sure we are meeting students where they are, providing targeted resources for them and providing teachers with tools and insights to maximize learning
• Developed a Multi-tiered System of Support (MTSS) framework for consistent use throughout the District so all students are afforded the opportunity to reach their full potential
• Expansion of our PreK program, Mini-Mounties, as we climb closer and closer to free, Universal PreK
• Expansion of ESL opportunities with classes for parents, engaging family nights and formation of a Bilingual Parent Advisory Committee
• Significant upgrades to our network infrastructure for efficiency and cybersecurity

“Broadly speaking, reducing the achievement/opportunity/access gap and celebrating our magnet system will always take center stage,” Cooper wrote.

“With our Strategic Plan, we have a specific roadmap in place to guide us forward in this most important work,” he added.

• See Related: What’s The Plan For Montclair Schools? 5-Year Blueprint Approved
• See Related: Montclair Will Delay Plan To Lock Up Students' Phones During Class

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