Letter from the Superintendent -- 9/12/20

Good afternoon, WTPS Staff and Families,

Please see this letter from the Superintendent for a very important update.
IMPORTANT – Required Forms
We are beginning to provide our Annual Information Update forms to be completed for each child in your Unified Classroom Parent Account. We have released the 4 most important forms for your review and submission. The forms are as follows:
- Annual Information Update 20-21:
- WTPS Re-Opening 2020-21:
1. (HYBRID ONLY) COVID-19 Parent Daily Screening Pledge for Students (directions – click here). This only needs to be completed one time.
If your child is receiving the hybrid instructional model, we respectfully require the four (4) forms above to be completed PRIOR to admittance.

Please access these forms in your Unified Classroom PARENT Account. All forms are located in one place.
WEBEX/TEAMS INSTABILITY

We are receiving numerous reports of instability when connecting to Webex and/or Microsoft Teams today, 9/11/20. We have learned of multiple internet service provider outages in the NJ/NY area along with other network connectivity providers. We do not currently have information as to when these services are expected to be restored.

We thank you for your patience.
Important Technology Updates

Please click here for important information regarding technology for the 2020-21 school year. This information pertains to all students.
District Hosts Equity Summit, Develops Steps to Ease Community Concern

The Washington Township Public Schools’ District Equity Committee gathered for a Virtual Equity Summit on Thursday, June 4^th, to discuss social justice in the current world climate. During the summit, the committee agreed on a series of steps intended to help address the community’s concern with the emotional well-being of students and their families, as we are bombarded with disturbing images of racially motivated acts of violence at almost every turn.
Please click here for a press release about the summit.
For race and equity resources, use these links: Elementary Middle/High School
Need help? We're here!

Please see our Coronavirus/COVID-19 webpage for a list of our support contacts as well as an archive of all previously communicated information and resources.

Upcoming Events

Tuesday

7:00 PM - 9:30 PM BOE Work Session
Wednesday

Staff In-Service - Schools Closed
Thursday

7:00 PM - 9:00 PM Elementary Schools and GTECC Virtual Back-to-School Night
September 28, 2020

7:00 PM - 8:30 PM TJ PTO Meeting
September 29, 2020

7:00 PM - 8:00 PM BHMS PTO Meeting
7:00 PM - 9:30 PM BOE Public Meeting

View Calendar

WTPS News

Washington Township Board of Education to Begin Livestreaming Meetings on September 22nd

Webex Platform Also Will Contunue

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WTHS Social Studies Students Discover Their Inner “Founding Fathers” on Constitution Day

Teacher Jen Wisor Aligned with Connecticut Statesman Roger Sherman

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The Constitution is in Play for OVMS Social Studies Students

Students engaging in interactive civic lessons

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District Transportation Department Readies for Hybrid Learning Beginning on Monday, September 21, 2020

Cohorts to Begin Face-to-Face Learning

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Back at Grenloch

Grenloch Terrace Early Childhood Center Welcomes Back Preschool Students for In-Person Learning

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Washington Township Public Schools to Host 2020-21 Virtual Back-to-School Nights by Level

Information will be forthcoming from all schools

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WTHS Athletic Director Kevin Murphy to be Among Featured Panelists on Latest Edition of “NJ Press Pass”

Show to air live at 2 p.m. on Thursday, September 10th

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District Organizes Food Distribution During Remote Learning

Department provides nutrition to open school year

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District Anti-Bullying Coordinator

Steve Selby
Washington Township Public Schools
206 East Holly Avenue
Sewell, NJ 08080
(856) 589-6644 x5619

sselby@wtps.org
ABR School and District Grades

District Equity Information

Social Media

WTPS Mobile
is now available
for your phone

Announcements

District Transportation Department Readies for Hybrid Learning Beginning on Monday, September 21, 2020

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Welcome to Kindergarten!

We invite the parents of our newest kindergarten class to view this video as we prepare for remote learning

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BOE Moves Last Three Work Sessions of 2020 to Tuesday Nights

The Washington Township Board of Education recently announced that it will be shifting its October, November and December work session meetings from Monday to Tuesday nights. The new dates are October 13th, November 17th, and December 15th. Please click here for a press release detailing the date changes.

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Board Moves Work Session Date, Executive Session Time for September

The Washington Township Board of Education has announced that it is moving the date of its September Work Session meeting to Tuesday, September 22, 2020. The meeting originally was scheduled for Monday, September 21st. Please click here for a press release with more information regarding the date change.

In addition, the Board has announced that the start time of the executive session of the September 22nd work session meeting will start at 6:00 p.m., a half hour earlier than the originally scheduled 6:30 p.m. start time. Please click here for a press release detailing the time change.

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Important Information on Immunizations Required for Enrollment

REGISTER! REGISTER! REGISTER!

Washington Township Families who have not, as yet, completed the online registration to enroll their kindergarten or transfer students into the District, are urged to do so as soon as possible to ensure that their children have their class assignments, and if applicable, their remote learning devices, for the opening day of school on September 8, 2020.

Please also access this link to learn about the state requirement on IMMUNIZATIONS.

Thank you for your cooperation. We are proud to welcome all new students to the Township family!

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Washington Township High School is tentatively scheduled to resume SAT test administration on Saturday, October 3rd, 2020. If you have any questions or concerns, please visit the CollegeBoard website and/or contact CollegeBoard customer service at 1-866-756-7346.

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2020-21 Preschool Lottery Drawing

The District hosted its Pre-K 3 lottery on Thursday, June 4, 2020 at 5:00 pm live on the WTPS Facebook page. To watch a replay of the drawing, click here. The selected families will be contacted shortly with further information.

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Register Today for Kindergarten Summer Snapshot

2020-21 Kindergarten registration begins this week, through our new online registration portal, for parents and guardians of children who will be five years old on or before October 1, 2020.

The District is hosting Kindergarten Summer Snapshots on July 28, 29 and 30, and August 4 and 5. The Kindergarten Snapshot will take place at your child's kindergarten school. An informational flyer is available by clicking here. To sign up for a timeslot, please click here to go to our online registration site.

Check out our registration website at this link for more details on the start of online registration so you can be prepared and make the process as smooth as possible.

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Fully Certified!

All 11 District Schools have received 2019-20 certifications in the Anti-Defamation League's "No Place for Hate" Program. We are grateful for the efforts of so many administrators, staff, teachers and families who have prioritized this mission in our schools and community.

District Hosts Equity Summit, Develops Steps to Ease Community Concern

The Washington Township Public Schools’ District Equity Committee gathered for a Virtual Equity Summit on Thursday, June 4^th, to discuss social justice in the current world climate. During the summit, the committee agreed on a series of steps intended to help address the community’s concern with the emotional well-being of students and their families, as we are bombarded with disturbing images of racially motivated acts of violence at almost every turn.

Please click here for a press release about the summit.

For race and equity resources, use these links: Elementary Middle/High School

Also, click here for a letter from Superintendent of Schools Joe Bollendorf to our families.

WTHS Class of 2020 Virtual Graduation

Please celebrate the Washington Township High School Class of 2020 by witnessing our virtual graduation ceremony on Thursday, June 18, 2020, at 7 p.m. The link to the festivities is below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOV0C8PEaNU&feature=youtu.be

Bunker Hill Bulldog Leaders!

Please join in the celebration of a great 2019-20 school year at Bunker Hill Middle School by clicking on this link.

Recognition at the Ridge!

Please join in the celebration of a great 2019-20 school year at Chestnut Ridge Middle School by clicking on this link.

Washington Township Elementary School Students Honor First Responders

In honor of Memorial Day Weekend, Students from the Washington Township elementary schools came up with a very special way to offer a heartfelt thank you to our first responders for their sacrifice in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. More than 1,000 students sent in personalized videos to make sure our first responders know how much they mean to us. A compilation of the videos can be found at this link.

NJ Mental Health Cares Offers Free Support

New Jersey residents now have access to free counseling, emotional support, information and assistance through NJ Mental Health Cares. For more information, click here for a flyer in English, or click here for the same flyer in Spanish.

District Celebrates the Washington Township High School Class of 2020

Please join us in saluting the proud members of the Washington Township High School Class of 2020 through this video tribute that was crafted by WTHS television production teacher Kristen Dirato. We are hugging each one of you virtually and wishing you the best!

https://youtu.be/4dmOyGueWjM

District Art Night 2020 Postponed

The Washington Township Visual Art Department's District Art Night, origninally scheduled for Thursday, April 2, 2020, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Washington Township High School, has been postponed. The event may be re-scheduled, if possible.

District Art Night annually draws thousands to the school to view displays of K-12 student artwork, as well as to witness student-artist demonstrations. The WTHS chapter of the National Art Honor Society will be sponsoring a Fine Art and Craft Sale and wile having face-painting activities for the kids in attendance.

District Art Night admission is free and open to the public.

Vaping Awareness and Resources

The Washington Township Public Schools have established a webpage with links and resources related to vaping awareness and prevention. The resources were culled from an April 2019 District presentation by Steered Straight founder Michael DeLeon. Click here to access the page and take advantage of the resources.

Safe Schools Task Force Presentations

On Wednesday, November 28th, the District held its semi-annual Safe Schools Task Force Meeting. There were two very important presentations given at the meeting.

The first was a presentation by Cristina Martins of the Southern NJ Perinatal Cooperative regarding the vaping epidemic. Please click here for a recorded video of her presentation.

The second was a presentation led by our School Counseling Director Ms. Jennifer Grimaldi that provides a detailed view of what we are doing to identify and support our children with their mental health, social, and emotional needs. Click here to watch that presentation.

Learn More About the District's "Flipped Classrooms"

What is a "flipped classroom"? Click here to learn the philosophy behind this shift in teaching and learning.

Click here to access a video that provides additional information.

School Safety Initiatives - Watch Video

The Washington Township Public Schools administration has implemented safety measures in all of our schools and continues to work collaboratively with the Washington Township Police to ensure the daily well-being of our students and staff. Please click here to access a video that highlights some of our efforts.

WTPS Statement on Website Accessibility

The Washington Township Public Schools' website is in the process of being updated to ensure compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Any website accessibility concerns may be brought to the attention of the WTPS website team at feedback@wtps.org. For more information, please view our statement on Website Accessibility.

Superintendent's Letter on Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)

Click here to access a letter from the superintendent on how to provide input to the New Jersey Department of Education.

Washington Township, Gloucester County

Please click here to visit the Washington Township municipal website.

Important Registration Information

The Washington Township Public Schools' Registration Office currently is available via appointment only! If you need to register your child for school or have questions for the registration office, please call (856) 589-6644 x6698 to schedule your appointment. We thank you for your patience and consideration.

Project Child Find Services Available

Do you have or know of a special needs child ages 3 to 21 years old residing in Washington Township who may have physical, mental or emotional problems? Are you aware of any child who is in need of special education programs and services? An extra effort is being made to identify children between ages 3 to 5 for our preschool program for children with special needs.
Project CHILD FIND, a service of the New Jersey State Department of Education, assists in identifying un-served or underserved handicapped children. Please click here for more information.