Download Message from the Superintendent Clayton High School

Message from the
Superintendent
ISSUE 1
VOLUME I
The
Anchor
The Anchor, Clayton School District’s student-inspired District Newsletter
Friends and Families of Clayton,
It is with great pleasure that we present to you The Anchor,
our student-inspired District newsletter. You will notice that
several of the articles are written by our students. One of the
goals with this newsletter is to highlight the talents of our students and the Clayton community. You should be proud of our young people as they are doing
some remarkable things. We thank you for supporting us as we continue to prepare our students for the opportunities of the future. A future that many of us could have never
imagined – one filled with options and possibilities. Please enjoy the newsletter as you gain
some insight into what we are doing here in the district. We are proud of who our students are
and of what they will become. Visit the District’s website at www.clayton.k12.nj.us to view this
newsletter online and to learn about current activities and events at Clayton Public Schools.
Sincerely,
David T. Lindenmuth
“We are proud of who our students are and of what they will become.”
-David T. Lindenmuth, Superintendent
Clayton Board of Education
NON-PROFIT ORG.
U.S. POSTAGE
Clayton Public School District
PAID
PERMIT NO. 6
350 East Clinton Street
Clayton, New Jersey 08312
Phone: 856-881-8701
Fax: 856-863-8196
www.clayton.k12.nj.us
SPRING 2013
ECRWSS
POSTAL CUSTOMER
SCHOOL DISTRICT OF CLAYTON COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER
“We’re always looking for ways to engage our students. Clayton strives to prepare
students for the opportunities of the future.” —David T. Lindenmuth, Superintendent
Clayton High School
We are pleased to be, once again, named by US News and
World Report as one of the “Best High Schools” in New Jersey.
As a bronze medal award winner, Clayton High School is one of
the only schools in the region to be recognized by the national
publication. In addition, Clayton High School ranks #15 in the
US Best High Schools: Most
Connected Classrooms (By US
News.) The Most Connected
Classroom rankings measure
the modernity and sophistication of high schools' online
infrastructures, and the access
students, faculty, and parents
have to them at school and
home. Throughout Clayton High School, teachers and students are fortunate to have access to a wide variety of technology. While teachers and students have access to more than
300 Apple iPads, there are also 2-4 student desktop computers
in every classroom, as well as the following: SMART Board,
Digital Projector, Document Camera, and a DVD unit. Additionally, the district offers a wireless network that allows students, staff and guests to bring their own personal devices into
the building. According to Nikolaos Koutsogiannis, Clayton
High School Principal, “Technology is infused throughout the
High School curricula and is an integral part of each student’s
experience [at Clayton.] Students graduate from Clayton
High School with an immeasurable sense of direction that
truly does exceed the standard.”
Clayton Public School District’s Solar Array System consists of 1800
SOLAR PANELS that generate 572,274 kWh, which is equal to:
CLAYTON GOES GREEN
CO2 OFF-SETS
Clayton Public School District has been looking for practical
ways to save money while addressing rising energy costs. A
solar power project could do both, and through a “power purchase agreement,” the school district was able to make a solar
project a reality.
TREE EQUIVALENT
BARRELS OF OIL
CARS OFF THE ROAD
This newsletter was created in-house by Clayton Public School District staff and students.
383 Tons of Carbon Annually
11,445 Trees Cleansing the Air
per Year
939 Barrels of Oil Consumed
per Year
46
GASOLINE EQUIVALENT
39,528
AVERAGE HOMES POWERED
64
AVERAGE LIGHT BULBS
POWERED
4,900
SOURCE: RAY ANGELINI, INC.
In January 2013, Clayton Public School District had more than
1800 solar panels professionally installed by Ray Angelini, Inc.
Cars Off the Road for 1
on three buildings, including the elementary, middle and high
Year
school facilities. “The large flat roofs of the school buildings are
Gallons of Gas consumed an excellent use of space to generate clean solar electricity,”
per year
said Ivan Cox, Director of Facilities. Fran Adler, District Business Administrator, commented, “Solar panels will contribute
Homes Powered for 1
to the global effort of energy conservation while helping to offyear
set the costs of the District’s electric bill. What that means to
Light bulbs Powered for 1 me is less dollars going to use of facilities and more dollars goYear
ing to our kids."
The New Jersey Teacher of the Year program recognizes and honors the contributions of
highly-effective classroom teacher leaders (pre-K through grade 12) who possess a special
talent for inspiring a love of learning in students of all backgrounds and abilities. Congratulations to our 2013 NJ Teachers of the Year!
Cliff Christopher
High School
Stacy Seger
Middle School
Lauren Eichhorn
Herma Simmons
“This year’s High School Teacher of the Year, Mr. Christopher, is a former student who [offers]
more than 30 years of dedicated service to the Clayton School District. Mr. Christopher teaches advanced math classes at the high school and is known for taking on difficult math challenges. He frequently encourages his students to stump him. [He is] a highly respected, intelligent teacher.” - Ciara Steinberg, High School Freshman
“Ms. Seger has fun, educational activities for us [to do during class.] She is funny and always smiling
which makes us feel comfortable. She is helpful with any questions we have and makes a double
[class] period go by quickly! She makes me love reading and language arts even more than I already
do.” - Madison Laganella, 6th Grade Middle School Student
“As a parent, I am continually impressed by Mrs. Eichhorn positive approach to teaching. Mrs.
Eichhorn has encouraged my son to explore words all around his world. As a teacher myself, it has
been really exciting to watch my son develop as a reader.” In my son, Elijah’s words, “She is the
best teacher! She shakes our hand when we get picked up [from school.] I like to shake her
hand.” -Kellie Rodriguez, Parent of 1st Grade Student
SCHOOL OF CHOICE- CLAYTON HS
What does School of Choice mean?
Under the New Jersey Interdistrict Public SchoolChoice Program, Clayton High School has
been approved as a school of choice in Gloucester County. Students outside of Clayton District may apply to attend Clayton High School at no cost to their parents/guardians with
options for transportation to and from school.
Benefits of Clayton High School
Through the School Choice program, students who are not residents of Clayton have the
opportunity to take advantage of the outstanding technology curriculum that the District
has to offer as well as the Penn Foster online dual credit program, JROTC, newly constructed Art & Science labs, video production courses and an on-site greenhouse facility. In
addition, students have the opportunity for learning in classrooms with a small teacherstudent ratio (11:1) with a variety of opportunities for involvement in sports and recreational activities.
What to Expect for 2013-2014
Through the School Choice Program the District has accepted students for enrollment in
the 2013-2014 school year and looks forward to expanding the opportunity to additional
students for the 2014-2015 school year. The application period for the 2014-2015 school
year begins in early Fall 2013. For more information about the School Choice Program at
Clayton, visit www.clayton.k12.nj.us or log onto http://www.nj.gov/education/choice/.
CLAYTON TRACK & FIELD
LUNCHBOX
CORNER
Experience vs.
Clayton Track & Field
has high expectations
for the coming season.
Returning from a division championship season, both the boys and
girls have a tough road
ahead of them. The boys
team is looking to
repeat the championship
win while the girls
team is aiming for a
"threepeat” [win of
championship.]
Although both teams
have graduated key athletes, the team has some returning talent stepping
up that can fill their shoes. According to Head Coach, Steve Nicolosi,
“There has been a realignment of the conference and the opportunity to
repeat is there, but the athletes [will] need to work hard and not rely on last
year’s results.” For boys and girls track and all other spring sports schedules, visit www.tricountyconferencenj.org.
An easy to use program,
mySchoolBucks.com® is
a payment center where
parents can load money
onto their child’s lunch
account using a credit
card or checking account
information. Parents are
charged a $2.00 service
fee to add money; but,
that fee is charged only
one time per use of service (even if adding
money to multiple sibling
accounts.) Parents can
also use the online site to
access nutrition information on the types of foods
served in the cafeteria.
One of the parents who
uses the program, Rosalyn Downes, stated,
“mySchoolBucks.com® is
great because it not only
tracks what your child is
spending, but more importantly, it tracks
WHAT your child is eating. Also, it’s easy to access online using information that parents already know [such as the
name of child and birthday.]”
For more information
visit the online site or call
856.881.8701 ext. 2309.
HEART OF GLOUCESTER
COUNTY
Article written by Jay Nichols, High School Senior
SIMMONS AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM
Article co-written by Kelli Moore & Samantha Reimer, H.S. Freshmen
Herma Simmons Elementary offers students in grades third
through fifth an after-school program called MicroSociety . The
program serves more than 70 students and is lead by the District’s Youth Development Specialist, Mr. Lamont Robinson. Students in MicroSociety have a chance to live in their own micro
world where they can enjoy a taste of the real world with options
to interact in real-life experiences such as a bank, university, restaurant, post office and government. MicroSociety students hold
The Heart of Gloucester
County provides support
services to encourage
and strengthen families
in Gloucester County
while helping to lead struggling families on the
right path. Clayton Public School District is a collaborative member of the organization and encourages District families to call 856.579.8252 for
assistance. In addition to calling, families have the
option to talk to an Information Specialist using
an online chat feature, “Family Help Desk,” at
www.heartofgloucestercounty.org or families can
visit the local walk-in location at the Board of Education Office, on Tuesday evenings from 4-6PM or
by appointment (Call 856.881.8701 ext. 3059 to
schedule an appointment.)
a variety of jobs, including a security guard, mail carrier, restaurant server, policeman, and judge and are paid in micro dollars
each Wednesday. Students have the chance to spend their dollars
at the micro-restaurant or save it and make deposits into their
own micro bank accounts. According to Mr. Fabrian Johnson,
“MicroSociety teaches
kids important lessons of
the real world. They love
MicroSociety and even
when they’re absent
from school they ask to
come to MicroSociety.”
STAGE REPORT
Article written by Samantha Connell, High School Sophomore
Article written by Percell Downes, High School Senior
2013 TEACHER OF THE YEAR AWARD
The Clayton High School Drama Club (CHSDC) has been
working vigorously to prepare their 2013 production of the
musical Hairspray! Hairspray is the story of Tracy Turnblad, a
pleasantly plump teenage girl, and her journey to fame. Along
the way, Tracy finds love and changes the world. Hairspray is
a big show and lots of fun for everyone to enjoy!
High School Play -at Herma Simmons Auditorium
SENIOR CITIZENS OF CLAYTON
- MARCH 23RD SPECIAL 12 NOON LUNCH & 1PM MATINEE
March 21st & 22nd @ 7PM
March 23rd @ 1PM & 7PM
FREE
COST OF ADMISSION:$7 in Advance
TICKETS AVAILABLE AT THE DOOR $10
RSVP TO RENEE LAVELLE 856.881.8700 EXT 3050
Sponsored by the Clayton Public School District Administrative Team and the
Clayton High School National Honor Society
Tickets can be purchased in advance from any cast member or by contacting
Herma Simmons Main Office at 856.881.8704.