Dear Families, Caregivers and Staff,
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All schools are working on our September Start of School plan. The overarching plan is a return to full-time, six-hour days, five days a week; in other words, a usual school year.
For the final two weeks of this school year, we are continuing our hybrid plan for most students. Wednesday, June 16, K-5 students who have 504 accommodations or receive Tier III interventions will be able to attend in-person, five days a week. I am working with the Middle School Principals to see if we can bring in their students with 504 accommodations five days a week. Principals will send a notification once this is finalized. Also, with the possibility of some of our remaining days reaching high temperatures, we are delivering extra water to the schools this Monday to keep students and staff hydrated.
It’s been a long and challenging year, and we are hopeful that we can put the worst of the pandemic behind us. I must say that I have been amazed at the fortitude of our students, staff, and families who have done so much during this trying time. As you can see below, the accomplishments keep coming.
Student Accomplishments
Montclair High School senior Charles Moroze recently combined his love of chess with his desire to help the community. Moroze created a virtual chess tournament, attracting more than 20 players who paid a fee to enter the competition, which raised more than $1,050 for Toni’s Kitchen. Read more.
Montclair High School’s baseball team is in the State Sectional Championship game for the first time since 1964. This year’s team is the #1 seed in the sectional tournament and will play home today at 4 pm at Woodman Field.
Montclair High School’s Girls Varsity Crew Team captured the 2021 Scholastic Rowing Association of America championship. The regatta took place May 28-29 on the Schuylkill River in Philadelphia. The team is currently undefeated.
MHS senior Cassie Youn was named a National Cyber Scholarship Scholar. The annual event is designed to evaluate aptitude in combating cyber threats and encourage students to become part of the next generation of cybersecurity professionals. Congratulations!
MHS Graduation
It gives us great pleasure to announce that this year’s graduating class will walk across the bridge in the Amphitheater continuing a long, prestigious tradition. There are countless families who have seen generations walk across the bridge and after a challenging year, I hope this brings joy to all. There will be two ceremonies, one at 10 AM and one at 2 PM. The High School will be providing all details to the seniors and their families.
REMINDERS
Moving Up Ceremonies
Dates and rain dates are set and principals will be sending details in their weekly newsletters. All ceremonies, other than MHS, will take place at Woodman Field. Families will receive four tickets. Masks are required and seating will be three feet apart.
K-5 Summer Hike (Academic Summer Program)
The District is offering an optional academic summer program from June 28 through July 22 (no school July 5), Mondays to Thursdays, from 8:15 to 11:30 AM. This program is open to all students except those invited to Step Up for targeted support. Students will engage in ELA and math activities to help combat any interrupted learning experienced this year. Students are expected to attend for the entire daily time as well as all weeks of the session.
MHS Summer Enrichment Program
Also available for Montclair High School students (incoming 9th graders through 12th grade) are a variety of enrichment courses, running from June 28 through July 22 (no school July 5). Sessions run for one hour each and are from 8:15 AM to 1 PM. See Course Catalog for class descriptions and registration information and Frequently Asked Questions for more details.
Summer Camps
The Montclair School District is once again offering Summer Enrichment Camps. You will find many of your favorite camps and some new ones as well. We are excited about servicing the community by providing affordable programs of excellence. Camps run for six weeks, June 28 – August 6 (Monday – Friday). Register online at www.myschoolbucks.com. We are looking forward to a healthy, happy, and safe summer!
Senior Families – Transfer Google Data
Congratulations on your upcoming graduation! We are sure that you have accumulated a lot of data in your @mpsdnj.us accounts and Google has created a workflow that will allow you to easily transfer any emails in Gmail, documents you own in Google Drive, and documents in My Drive to your personal Gmail account. An Account Help page explains this process which takes about 10 minutes. With a web browser, the current credentials for your @mpsdnj.us account, and a personal Google account you are ready to get started.
Watchung Field and Playground
Construction has started. A fact sheet with relevant information is posted to the website.
Technology Office – Device Collection
Bulldog Students
We will be collecting Chromebook and Chromebook chargers at each elementary and middle school on June 24 for Bulldog students. Please come to school on June 24 with your assigned Chromebook and Chromebook charger. Students attending summer school may keep their devices. Arrangements will be made for device collection towards the end of our summer programs for those students.
Mountie and Virtual Students
We will be collecting devices and hot spots starting on June 25 at the Hillside School entrance door A on Orange Road from 9 AM to 12 PM and from 1 to 3 PM. All students attending summer school/summer programs may keep their devices.
We will also be collecting devices and hot spots from June 28 through July 2 at Hillside School entrance door A on Orange Road from 9 AM to 12 PM, 1 to 3 PM and 5 to 7 PM (Tuesday through Thursday only). Please bring your child’s device along with the charging cables.
Please be advised that all devices and hot spots that are not returned by the last collection date (July 2) will be turned off. Once again, this excludes all summer school students.
Please utilize our technology support hotline (301-259-1510) throughout next week if you have any questions or concerns. Thank you in advance for your cooperation and continued support.
Important Information from Nursing Services
COVID Vaccines
While not a requirement at this time, please send your school nurse a copy of your child’s COVID vaccination record.
District and Community Highlights
Toasts to the Teachers are Back!
The Montclair Fund or Educational Excellence is bringing back its annual tradition of honoring teachers and staff members. This year’s Teacher Toasts, a time when families and staff gather to celebrate the end of another successful school year and thank our teachers, will feature two different ways to offer tributes. All funds raised will go right back to Montclair classrooms in the form of teacher grants awarded for innovative ideas.
Monday, June 14, is Flag Day. An interesting fact about Flag Day is that in 1885, Bernard Cigrand, a Wisconsin teacher, originated the idea for an annual flag day, to be celebrated across the country every June 14. In so many places and times in history, teachers play important roles!
Please note that next week there will not be a message as the District is closed June 18 in honor of Juneteenth. We are proud to recognize and commemorate the end of slavery in the United States of America.
Sincerely,
Dr. Jonathan Ponds
Superintendent