Superintendent's Message
May 15, 2013


DISTRICT/SUPERINTENDENT
2012-2013 GOALS

BOARD OF EDUCATION
2012-2013 GOALS

SUPERINTENDENT'S MID YEAR REPORT
2012/2013 SCHOOL YEAR

Superintendent’s Report
Wednesday,
May 15, 2013
Highlights since our last board meeting:

Enrollment

District:

At the May 15, 2013 Board of Education meeting there was a presentation on Lobby Guard.

 

Lobby Guard is a computerized Visitor Management program designed to account for and screen visitors and faculty passing through our school doors each day. Lobby Guard records all visitor information, runs instant background checks and prints photo ID badges, all before a visitor is buzzed into our schools. This is another security enhancement that is being rolled out district wide.

 

Please check the district’s website for information regarding Lobby Guard.

Please click on the link to view the Lobby Guard video:  http://redcirclesolutions.com/

 

Village School:

The PSA provided two interesting events for the students over the last couple of weeks.  All of the children had the opportunity to be a part of an Earth Day assembly to learn about our responsibility in caring for our planet our students also enjoyed the Mother’s Day plant sale.

 

The 1st graders put on their first Village School performance called, “Too Much Noise,” and enjoyed a field trip to Turtle Back Zoo.  The 2nd graders had a great time on their trip to the Liberty Science Center.  The 3rd graders did a great job with the NJASK testing.  We are very proud of how they are handling their very first state assessment.

 

Indian Hill School:

During the week of April 22nd, Indian Hill students celebrated Earth Week with various student events.  Students participated in a used marker drive for Terracycle, a no-garbage lunch, and a tree planting for Arbor Day.  Many Indian Hill students contributed artwork to the Earth Day Festival at Bayonet Farms in Holmdel.  Four students were awarded prizes for their artwork. 

 

Indian Hill School’s band and chorus performed in their annual Spring Concert.  All of our young musicians did a fantastic job during the performance.  Indian Hill music teachers prepared their students beautifully and they performed difficult and exciting pieces of music.

 

In the Continental Math League competition, Indian Hill School students represented Holmdel admirably.  The 4th graders placed 4th in the region, the 5th graders tied for 3rd in the region, and the 6th graders tied for 1st place in the region.  The 6th grade Indian Hill students were one of only 7 schools nationally to achieve a perfect score.

 

In the New Jersey Mathematics League, Indian Hill School’s 6th Grade team placed 12th in the State and 2nd in Monmouth County.  Congratulations to all the students who participated.

 

W. R. Satz School:

We will be recognizing Satz Students for their academic achievement at the May 29, 2013 Board of Education Meeting.

 

Congratulations to the faculty and students who participated in the 6th annual “Singing with the Staff” competition. 

 

Congratulations to a Satz student  who is a member of USA Archery and has been participating in Junior Olympic Archery Development program.  He competed in the 2013 NJ Archery Association Indoor State Championship and won a first place gold medal.  He also competed in the 2013 US Junior Olympic Archery Division National Indoor Championship and placed 4th in the Eastern Region and 32nd in the country.  We wish him luck as he goes on to compete in the 2013 Easton Junior Olympic competitions in July.

 

Congratulations to Mrs. Hamwi and the other members of the PSG who donated their time towards Satz School’s first ever New & Used Sports Equipment sale.  Many of the parents and community members had the opportunity to stop in and find great deals on a wide variety of items from skateboards and ice skates to tennis racquets and baseball helmets.  All equipment that was not sold during the event was donated to Holmdel Helps.

 

The Peace Islands Institute sponsored an essay writing contest about cyber bullying, a topic covered with Writing Lab students. Teachers were only allowed to submit five entries, and one of Ms. Semler’s students earned a first honorable mention!

 

High School:

Junior Prom will be held on Friday, May 17th at Doolan’s in Spring Lake from 7:00 pm to 11:00 pm.

 

Graduation – The class of 2013 is Holmdel High Schools 40th graduating class. Commencement Exercises will be on Wednesday, June 26th at 6:45 pm at the Collins Arena in Brookdale Community College.

 

A packet of information for Senior Parents about Prom, Exams, and Graduation was sent home last week.

 

The 1st annual “Battle of the Faculties” will be held next Tuesday, May 21st, in the high school gym at 6:30 pm. This event is sponsored by the HFEE, the event features staff members from each of the four schools competing in a series of “color-war” type events, with the winning school taking home the coveted “Faculty Cup”! All proceeds will benefit the purchase of new stage lighting in the auditorium. Tickets are $5 in advance and will also be available at the door. The high school’s color is BLUE, please come on out and support the Hornets!!

 

Science News: The Science League completed another successful season, finishing first in 5 of the 6 events at the local level.  We await the results for our state ranking; our best science students will be participating in a rigorous round of testing on Merck Science Day on May 22nd; a group of Honors Advanced Research (HAR) students will be participating in the Monmouth University Science Symposium on May 29th

 

High School Sports:

Girls Track – the team finished 3rd overall at the Monmouth County Meet; a sophomore won two events, setting school records in each, and is the Star Ledger NJ “Athlete of the Week”!

 

Congratulations to a student, who took home three (3) GOLD MEDALS on Saturday, May 11, 2013 at the Special Olympics Track Event held at Long Branch High School!

 

Boys Tennis – is currently 23-1, ranked #1 in Shore and #4 in NJ; won both the Monmouth County and Shore Conference tournaments for the 5th straight year!; will be looking for a 2nd straight Group II state title next weekend! 

 

Girls Golf – placed 2nd at last week’s Shore Conf. Championships!  2 players each placed in the Top 5! 

 

Boys Track – the team is ranked #14 in the USA for average team time for the 3200 meter.

 

 

 

Best Regards,

Barbara Duncan