LAKE HOPATCONG, NJ: In response to the nation-wide teacher shortage crisis, Jefferson Township Public Schools is announcing an increase in pay for substitute teachers. Substitutes can now make up to $175/day to work in Jefferson.

The JTBOE approved a tiered pay schedule for substitutes based on accrued full days worked in a single school year. The new pay rate, effective 11/22/2022, is as follows:

“Like every other school district in our country, we are experiencing staff shortages and facing challenges with retaining quality substitutes in our classrooms,” Jeanne Howe, Superintendent said. “We hope this new pay structure will encourage substitutes in our community to choose to work in Jefferson, providing more familiarity and continuity of learning for our students.”

Long Term Substitutes, meaning a substitute who works for 21+ consecutive days in the same coverage position, are paid $200/diem. The rate for Long Term Substitutes bumps to $279.38/diem after 60 consecutive days in the same position.

This increase pays substitutes in Jefferson up to 60% more than the previous, still competitive, $110/diem rate. The district hopes that the rate will incentivize quality substitutes in the area to choose to be a regular part of the Falcon Family.

Click Here to complete an application and begin the process of becoming a substitute teacher.   

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: LAKE HOPATCONG, NJ: The Jefferson Township Board of Education (JTBOE) is thrilled to announce that our district has been selected as a recipient for funding through the NJDOE Preschool Education Aid (PEA). These funds have been allocated to integrate six high-quality, full-day preschool classrooms right here in Jefferson Township, at no extra cost to taxpayers.

The program is scheduled to begin January 3, 2023. Our staff has been working behind the scenes in anticipation of receiving these funds, hiring staff, and preparing space. Three of these preschool classes will be housed at Cozy Lake Elementary School and three will be located at Ellen T. Briggs Elementary School.

“It is wonderful to be able to expand our preschool program and provide early childhood education to families in our community at no cost to our families,” stated Jeanne Howe, Superintendent, upon hearing our district will be receiving the funding.

The district currently provides tuition-based, half-day general education preschool services to a limited number of students in Jefferson. The expansion funds will be used to eliminate tuition and convert to a full-day model, opening the program up to approximately 35 additional children in our community. Our hopes for the next 3-5 years are to offer free, high-quality, full-day early learning programming to all three- and four-year olds in Jefferson Township, building a strong foundation for learning and success.

Immediate plans:

2022-2023 SY: (January-June) Ellen T. Briggs and Cozy Lake Elementary Schools will utilize existing space to accommodate the program. No students will be displaced as a result. All half-day preschool programs will transition to full-day and transportation will be provided for all preschool students.

2023-2024 SY: (September) It is anticipated that first-grade sections will be relocated to White Rock and Arthur Stanlick Elementary Schools.

Over the summer, the Jefferson Township Board of Education (JTBOE) applied for Preschool Expansion Aid (PEA) through the State of New Jersey. In September we learned that Jefferson Township was not selected in the first round of districts to receive funding.

The JTBOE reapplied for the Preschool Expansion Aid and expects to be notified of the status of our application in mid-November. If the funding is approved, this is what to expect:

• PEA Program Anticipated Start Date: January 3, 2023.
• 2022-2023 SY: (January-June) Ellen T. Briggs and Cozy Lake Elementary Schools will utilize existing space to accommodate the program. No students will be displaced as a result.
• 2023-2024 SY: (September) First-grade sections will be relocated to White Rock and Arthur Stanlick Elementary Schools.

As soon as our office is notified regarding the status of our application, the community will be informed. We are prepared as a district to put an Expanded Preschool Program in place as quickly as possible upon funding approval. However, please understand that the process is fluid.

If you have any questions or concerns about the program or timelines, please contact the principal of the school where you reside: Mrs. Randi DeBrito at Ellen T. Briggs School for Lake Hopatcong or Dr. Timothy Plotts at Cozy Lake School in Oak Ridge.

So Many Reasons To Be A Falcon

The Jefferson Township Board of Education (JTBOE) was advised that our district was not selected as an award recipient for the State of New Jersey Expanded Preschool aid.

This is disappointing news for our district and our community. If eligible, the JTBOE intends to reapply for the grant again for the 2023-2024 school year.

Thank you to our staff who have been working tirelessly in anticipation of starting this new program and we hope to be considered for funding in the future.

The Jefferson Township Board of Education (JTBOE) was recently notified of its eligibility to apply for grant funding that would enable the expansion of preschool services for children who are three or four years old before October 1, 2022, and reside in Jefferson Township. If the district’s application is accepted, this funding will allow our district to increase the number of students in a full-day preschool program at no cost to parents.

The JTBOE will be submitting an application for this funding and notice will be provided by the State of New Jersey in early September if funding will or will not be available. 

If the district receives the funding, it is expected that a program is in place on October 3, 2022.  We are preparing as if we will be awarded the funding as there is a very short turnaround time to implement the necessary changes.  If you are interested in your child attending the full-day program five days a week, please complete this application no later than August 26th.  At this time, there are a limited number of seats available, and priority will be given to students who:

• Are currently enrolled in a half-day integrated program

• Are on the waiting list for our half-day integrated program

• Reside within the area of a school that has an open seat

• Are eligible for free and reduced meals

• Will be four years old before October 1, 2022

Students who are not already enrolled in the district’s preschool program and meet the above criteria will be entered into a lottery system due to the limited number of seats we have available.  Parents will be notified by September 7th if the district receives funding and if their child was selected to participate in the program.  

We understand that the State does not provide a large turnaround time for the changes that may take place, that is why we are giving you advance notice in the event that the district is awarded the funding.  

If you have any questions or concerns about the program or timelines, please contact the principal of the school where you reside; Ellen T. Briggs School for Lake Hopatcong or Cozy Lake School for Oak Ridge. 

Sincerely,

Jeanne Howe

If you are not able to attend the August 4th forum in person, please click the live-streaming link here:  https://youtu.be/sVxGfu6IU_k

Curriculum Community Forum

Families enrolled in the existing program need not take any further action. Families interested in one of the 35 additional spots should complete this form to be included in a lottery drawing. The completed form must be received no later than Monday, November 28th. Families who had previously registered to be included in the lottery need not reapply.

Registration requirements:

• Student must be a resident of Jefferson Township;

• Student must have turned 3 years old before October 1, 2022

• Student must have up-to-date immunization records, a completed health history form, and a medical examination form to be completed by a pediatrician or health care provider.

Families will be notified via email of the status of their application by December 2nd. 

Families entitled to tuition reimbursement are being contacted separately.

Any questions regarding the program can be directed to the building principals of their respective schools:

Lake Hopatcong: Briggs Elementary School, Mrs. Randi DeBrito rdebrito@jefftwp.org
Oak Ridge: Cozy Lake Elementary School, Dr. Timothy Plotts tplotts@jefftwp.org 

The Jefferson Township Board of Education (JTBOE) is thrilled to announce that our district has been selected as a recipient of funding through the NJDOE Preschool Education Aid (PEA). These funds have been allocated to integrate six high-quality, full-day preschool classrooms right here in Jefferson Township, at no extra cost to taxpayers. 

The program is scheduled to begin on January 3, 2023. Our staff has been working behind the scenes in anticipation of receiving these funds, hiring staff, and preparing space. Three of these preschool classes will be housed at Cozy Lake Elementary School and three will be located at Ellen T. Briggs Elementary School.

“It is wonderful to be able to expand our preschool program and provide early childhood education to families in our community at no cost to our families,” stated Jeanne Howe, Superintendent, upon hearing our district will be receiving the funding.

The district currently provides tuition-based, half-day general education preschool services to 81 families in Jefferson. The expansion funds will be used to eliminate tuition for existing general education preschool students and convert to a full-day model for all students. We are able to increase services by more than 40% to include approximately 35 additional children from our community in the preschool program. Our hopes for the next 3-5 years are to offer free, high-quality, full-day early learning programming to all three and four-year-olds in Jefferson Township, building a strong foundation for learning and success.

Families enrolled in the existing program need not take any further action. Families interested in one of the 35 additional spots should complete this form to be included in a lottery drawing. The completed form must be received no later than Monday, November 28th. Families who had previously registered to be included in the lottery need not reapply.

Registration requirements:

• Student must be a resident of Jefferson Township;

• Student must have turned 3 years old before October 1, 2022

• Student must have up-to-date immunization records, a completed health history form, and a medical examination form to be completed by a pediatrician or health care provider.

Families will be notified via email of the status of their application by December 2nd. 

Families entitled to tuition reimbursement are being contacted separately.

Any questions regarding the program can be directed to the building principals of their respective schools:

Lake Hopatcong: Briggs Elementary School, Mrs. Randi DeBrito rdebrito@jefftwp.org
Oak Ridge: Cozy Lake Elementary School, Dr. Timothy Plotts tplotts@jefftwp.org