Verona Public Schools Magazine Fall 2016 Edition

The Verona Public Schools Magazine Fall 2016 Edition is the inaugural celebration of a focused endeavor to convey the progress of our collective efforts in the district’s strategic plan. The goal of this publication is to showcase where and how the district is moving forward and recognize the efforts of all involved; to reset ourselves to the next level of a standard so we constantly see the logical next steps to pursue; and to keep us grounded in the commitment to our community through our strategic plan. We hope you enjoy reading what makes the Verona Public Schools so very special.

PARCC/NJSLA-S Parent Letter March 2018

During the months of April and May (see calendars on page 2), New Jersey will administer the PARCC (Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Career) assessment in English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics grades 3 to 11...

Superintendent Response to Parkland

It saddens me to write to you in the days following the senseless act that occurred in Parkland, Florida. A tragedy that takes innocent lives from their loving families in a place that is supposed to be a safe haven can have an emotional effect on so many people, and it is natural for children and their parents to be concerned for their own safety. Please click the above link for the entire superintendent column.

Strategic Plan Action Team Committees

The Verona Public School District is in the development phase of our next five year Strategic Plan. It is important to the Board and Administration that our strategic plan represents the opinions of our community. The Strategic Plan Steering Committee recently completed important work on our district mission statement, values and core beliefs, and strategic goals. Please click the above link for more information.

Verona Public Schools Delayed Opening January 17, 2018

Verona Public Schools will have a delayed opening starting at 10 am on Friday January 5, 2018. Please click the following link for start times: https://www.veronaschools.org/domain/13

Verona Preschool Program Application 2018-19

Please click the link above for more details on the Verona Preschool Program application.

Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment Update

The Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment team of Dr Bangia (Humanities), Mr. Stevenson (STEM), and Mr. Miller (Director of CIA) presented a 2017-18 update to the Board of Education and members of the Verona School Community on Tuesday, January 9, 2018.

Verona Preschool Program Press Release 2018-19

Verona residents whose children turn three years of age or four years of age by September 30, 2018, and are toilet trained, are invited to apply for admission to the Verona Preschool Program. Class size is limited. Available spaces will be filled by a lottery, which is scheduled for Monday, February 12, 2018.

The State of Our Schools

Welcome to the Verona Public School district. The past several years have been ripe with opportunities and collaboration, building on the successes of the past, and sustaining incredible momentum with our faculty and students. Our growth is the result of our focused commitment to the vision defined in our Strategic Plan, the support of our Board of Education and invested leadership team, a deeply committed and talented staff, the support of our parents and community, and highly engaged students motivated to achieve their maximum potential. Please click the above link to read more about what makes the Verona Public Schools so very special.

Strategic Plan Steering Committee

The Verona Public School District is in the development phase of our next five year Strategic Plan. It is important to the Board and Administration that our five year strategic plan represents the opinions of our community. We are in the process of comprising our steering committee of board members, administrators, faculty, parents, community members, and high school students to refine our mission statement, establish our strategic goals, and develop the strategies that will be executed to actualize the mission and goals. Please click above to read the the full message.

AP & PARCC Spring 2017 Results

The Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment, Mr. Miller, presented the Advanced Placement (AP) & PARCC results from spring 2017 to the public at the November 28th Board of Education Meeting.

Superintendent Corner Column November 2017

With a quarter of the school year behind us and in anticipation of the holiday season, we tend to get wrapped up in the hustle and bustle of work, school and all that life sends our way. Thanksgiving marks a holiday reserved for slowing down, enjoying time with the people that matter most to us, and appreciating all that we have been blessed with. It is also a time for expressing gratitude and giving back to our community and those around us. Please click above to read the the full message.

A Statement from the Verona Board of Education November 4, 2017

The Verona Board of Education and Administration are committed to fostering a healthy and respectful school culture consistent with our core values. The Administration conducted an investigation into recent allegations & concerns pertaining to student safety and well being as reported by several parents in early October 2017. The investigation was completed on November 1st and the district is now able to provide summary findings to the community, to the extent that we are permitted, without violating student or staff confidentiality protections. Please click above to read the the full message.

SUMMER REGISTRATION HOURS

Standardized Testing Letter for 2017-18

We are required by the New Jersey Department of Education’s Office of Assessment to notify you of the standardized testing that will be administered during the 2017-18 school year...

2018 V~SEA (Verona Summer Enrichment Academy)

THE VERONA SCHOOL BOARD ANNOUNCES CANDIDACY INFORMATION

June, 2017 – The Verona School District has announced it has information available for citizens interested in running for a vacant seat on the Board of Education.

Board of Education 2017-2018 Budget Presentation - April 25, 2017

The Board of Education 2017-2018 Budget presentation that was presented on April 25, 2017 Public Hearing, may be reviewed by clicking the above heading.

Brookdale Technology Donation Press Release

The Verona Board of Education has accepted an anonymous donation of $14,400 that will go toward technology in the media center and technology lab at Brookdale Avenue School at the general meeting on February 28, 2017. With this generous donation, Brookdale Avenue School will be able to upgrade their media center technology...

Verona Junior Woman's Congratulate Spelling Bee Winners

On Saturday, January 11, 2017, over thirty 4th and 5th graders participated in the annual Junior Woman’s Club of Verona Spelling Bee Competition held at F.N. Brown Elementary School. A special thank you to our judges, Mrs. Cheryl Ashley, Director of the Verona Public Library; Mrs. Corisa Walker, Library Media Specialist at F.N. Brown and Brookdale Avenue School; and Mr. Charles Miller, Director of Curriculum who kindly volunteered their time for the morning. Thank you to Diana Weeks and Joanna Rybak from the Verona Juniors who organized the event. Finally, thank you to Verona Juniors President, Erika Grothues, who announced the words.

Chromebooks in the Classroom

Verona Foundation for Educational Excellence (VFEE) is proud to announce a Special Grant awarded to the Verona Public Schools in support of the District Wide Google Initiative. In 2015, VFEE granted $75,000 over the course of three years to support Chromebooks in our Classrooms. $25,000 was awarded at the Verona Board of Education meeting on September 8, 2015. VFEE will provide $25,000 per year for the next two years making the Google Initiative Grant the largest award by VFEE since its inception in 2007.

Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment Update

The Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment department consisting of Director of Curriculum, Mr. Miller, Supervisor of Humanities, Dr. Bangia, and Supervisor of STEM, Mr. Stevenson, updated the Board of Education and the public with the latest information regarding Verona's curriculum, instruction, and assessment.

Asking All the Right Questions

Opening up dialogue with your child is critical to their outlook on life and supporting them in achieving their individual potential by asking the following questions: “What was the best part of your day and why?”, “What are you thankful for?” and “What was the most challenging part of your day and how did you handle that problem?”

Inquiry in Action

The Verona Public Schools district is dedicated to cultivating learning environments that nurture the curiosity that exists naturally in children. It was clear from teacher feedback that last year’s inquiry-based science pilot program fostered a high level of student engagement. The new science program, developed with support from the Smithsonian Institute and National Academies of Science, is being implemented this year in our elementary and middle schools with the goal of increasing student engagement and improving student knowledge of scientific processes.

Field Turf

December 8, 2016 The Star Ledger recently published an investigative article on Field Turf regarding a product called Duraspine used to construct athletic turf field fibers. Field Turf has advised the Verona Public Schools that the new athletic fields being installed in our community are not made with this material. Attached are two letters from Field Turf providing detail on the matter and confirming that the Verona Public Schools is not impacted by this situation. Please click the Field Turf tab above this text to view the correspondence.

Leaving a Legacy-In Memory of Arthur Acquaviva

Mr. Arthur Acquaviva, known as “Mr. A” to staff­ and students, was a valued and trusted member of the VHS family. Art was named Library Media Specialist in 2000. During his tenure, he was responsible for leading the effort to transform our library into a 21st Century learning facility. Earlier this year, we received news that Mr. Acquaviva made a significant donation to Verona High School in the amount of $266,042. In accepting this generous contribution, the District will be renaming our library the Arthur Acquaviva Learning Commons. The donation provides funds to continue Art’s desire to enhance VHS with a 21st Century space, infusing the learning space with new and flexible furnishings to meet our student and faculty needs. Additional funds provided by Mr. Acquaviva will be allocated for a scholarship fund for Verona High School graduates.

Joint BOE-Township Meeting 10-24-16

The Verona Board of Education and the Verona Township Council conducted a joint meeting on October 24, 2016 at the Verona Community Center to discuss important highlights specific to each organization. The Board of Education discussed the District Strategic Plan, Academic Progress, Commitment of our Staff, and Building and Facility Improvements. The Township Council provided information on Recreation Updates, Shared Services, and PILOT agreement discussion.

VHS Fitness Center Fundraiser Press Release 2016

Beginning October 2016, Verona High School instituted a new and unique fundraising effort that will raise funds to upgrade the VHS ­fitness center facility with new equipment while also enhancing the paver dedication walkway on the Thomas J. Sellitto Athletic Field. Please see the attached press release for more information.

Thomas J. Sellitto Athletic Field Rededication Ceremony Welcome Address

The following speech was part of the rededication ceremony on October 14, 2016 at the Thomas J. Sellitto Athletic Field at Verona High School.

AP & PARCC Spring 2016 Results - October 10, 2016

The Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment, Mr. Miller, presented the Advanced Placement (AP) & PARCC results from last spring to the public at the October 11th Board of Education Meeting.