There are areas of mold identified in the band and chorus rooms at Stanlick School.  The two rooms have been isolated and closed to students and staff while the remediation is taking place.  The carpeting in both rooms has been removed and will be replaced with tile. All surfaces will be thoroughly disinfected.  The room will not be occupied until air quality results are returned with satisfactory results.

The district received the air quality test results from Cozy Lake Elementary School.  We are being assured by our environmental company that the building is safe for school to reopen.  Thank you for your patience and understanding during this situation.

The teachers will need time to reset their classrooms in Cozy Lake and all preschool materials will need to be relocated to Milton and unpacked.  Beginning Monday, September 24th, all classes will resume at their regularly scheduled location.  Preschool parents are directed to the parent portal to verify their child’s regular transportation information.  The regular bus stops and times are located in the parent portal. Please call the transportation department if you have any questions regarding your child’s regular bus stop information.  

The Back to School Night will take place on the previously scheduled date, Tuesday, September 25th.  

I would like to take this opportunity to thank ALL of the staff involved in the relocation of Cozy Lake and Milton Preschool.  Their professionalism and dedication to the students made for a smooth transition.  

Jeanne Howe

September 7, 2018

Dear Parents/Guardians, Faculty and Staff:

Welcome to an exciting new school year! I hope everyone had a relaxing summer with family and friends, and is ready for new challenges and opportunities. I have news to share that is particularly significant to students and families in Jefferson Township. To ensure Jefferson Township Public Schools are able to equip and prepare our students for 21st Century Learning, the district will hold a bond referendum vote on Tuesday, October 2, 2018.

Here are four things you should know about the referendum:

1. The scope of the $9.935 million bond referendum was shaped by our recent strategic planning process, which identified the need for improvements and upgrades among the district’s facilities.
2. The projects funded by the referendum would be eligible for up to 40% of state aid, but only if voters approve the referendum. This state funding would greatly reduce the impact on Jefferson Township taxpayers, but it is only available for projects included in the referendum.
3. If passed, the referendum projects would provide for the necessary health and safety improvements such as new fire alarms, intercom systems, interior doors, flooring, roof repairs/replacement, exterior wall repairs, upgrading bathrooms, and asbestos removal and abatement. The projects also would further ensure student readiness for 21st Century Learning through the addition of:
   • Renovated science classrooms, a new technology lab, and renovated locker rooms at Jefferson Township High School (JTHS).
   • Renovated classrooms, a media center, and locker rooms at Jefferson Township Middle School (JTMS).
   • Makerspaces at JTHS, JTMS, Stanlick Elementary and White Rock Elementary. 
4. In addition to state aid, there are additional fiscally sound and favorable financial factors that make this a good time for the referendum, including historically low-interest rates and relatively stable construction costs.

Additional information will be available on our website (www.jefftwp.org), including detailed Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).

As parents and guardians – and any faculty or staff who live in the township – it is particularly important that you are registered to vote by Tuesday, September 11, 2018, to be eligible to participate in the October 2nd referendum. A voter registration form is enclosed/attached. Forms also are available at the district office, at all of our schools, on the district website, and at the Morris County website. If you are already registered, there is no need to register again.

Our students deserve facilities that will enable them to become 21st Century Learners – prepared and equipped for the workplace of tomorrow. Please register, and be certain to vote on October 2nd.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Jill Van Ness President, Board of Education

Jefferson Township Public Schools

Dear Parents and Guardians:

Welcome back to our returning students, welcome to our students new to the district, and welcome to the incoming Kindergarten Class of 2031!  

Each year brings with it new changes.  This year, I will be experiencing my first year as a Superintendent of Schools.   I am honored and excited to serve as the new Superintendent of this fine school district.  I look forward to working with the entire school community to continue the positive growth of the district.

Back to School Nights have been scheduled for each school and are listed in the Parent Guide located on the district website.  I encourage parents to meet their child’s teachers and learn about the great programs in place in our schools.

I would like to bring some changes to your attention.  Last year, four of our schools had security vestibules installed:  JTHS, Stanlick, Briggs, and Milton. This year, all of our schools will be fitted with a visitor management system.  Any visitor to the school will need to provide a form of photo identification when entering a building and be prepared to answer questions about their visit.  We will continue to use storage bins as a way of dropping items off at the building. I thank all visitors in advance for their cooperation to help keep our students and staff safe.

On October 2nd, the district will hold a referendum vote.  Included in the referendum are much-needed upgrades to our facilities, items pertaining to school safety and security, and upgrades to buildings’ makerspaces.  Please look for information regarding the referendum at Back to School Nights, the webpage, and social media platforms.

Our Middle School and High School English teachers have been hard at work developing a new curriculum for our students in grades 6-12.  With this addition to our Balanced Literacy program for grades K-5, I am certain our students will gain the knowledge to be successful readers and writers, prepared for college and careers outside of High School.  

Should you have any questions during the course of the school year, please do not hesitate to reach out to your child’s teacher, counselor, principal, nurse, or any other staff member for assistance.  We are truly a team working together to provide your child with the best possible experience and education at Jefferson Township Public Schools.

Sincerely,

Jeanne Howe

Dear Parent/Guardian:

As the district moves forward with increasing the security of our school buildings, I would like to bring to your attention a new protocol we will be implementing at all of our schools.

Starting Friday, May 11, 2018, bins will be placed outside each school for parents to drop items off for their child.  Please use the intercom to notify the main office that you placed an item in the bin and be sure to have your child’s first and last name on the item.  The school staff will retrieve the item and give it to your child in a timely manner.

Continuing the protocols already in place, you will be expected to present a form of photo identification when entering the building.  We ask that you do not hold the door open for any other visitors; each visitor must ring the main office for entry. Additionally, all visitors will be required to answer the following questions when ringing the main office:

• Your name;
• Whom you are here to see;
• Purpose of your visit; and
• If you are expected.

We thank you for your cooperation to help us improve the safety and security of the students and staff in our buildings.

Should you have any questions, please contact the main office of your child’s school.

Sincerely,

Jeanne Howe
Superintendent of Schools