Help for Haiti

Since this past summer, the VHS French Club, along with our French teacher Mrs. Mordkovich and myself, have collaborated with Mr. Evans Auguste in the development of a library collection for the St-François Xavier School in the town of Ouanaminthe in Haiti. During the past 2 months, we have been leading a book drive to benefit Haitian students ages 6-12. Books in English, Spanish, and French were donated to the cause. Additionally, our music teacher and band director Mr. Lynch, along with the Verona Music Department, collected instruments and other music equipment for École St-François Xavier’s music program. Please click the above heading to read the full press release.

NJDOE School HIB Report Card 2016-17

The following New Jersey Department of Education May 29, 2018 School Self-Assessment for Determining Grades under the Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Report Crd for the 2016-17 academic year has been published by the NJDOE for the Verona Public Schools. The report card is established by self assessment data at each district school by the school safety team comprised of administration, school safety specialists, teachers, staff, and parents. Please click the above header link for more details and access to the report card.

Update on Class of 2020 NJDOE Graduation Requirements

The New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) has made an error in their communication with public schools as it relates to NJ high school graduation requirements and the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Career (PARCC). This error is impacting public schools across New Jersey, not just Verona High School. During the 2016-2017 school year, the NJDOE provided schools with a chart for graduation requirements as it relates to the State standardized assessment (PARCC). The chart of graduation requirements was included in our PARCC parent letter that we sent to parents in March 2018. On May 11, 2018, the NJDOE posted on its website that it had changed the Class of 2020 graduation requirements chart (see page 9 in the PARCC parent letter). On May 18, 2018, the NJDOE sent a clarifying email on this matter to all public school districts. Please click the above link for more details.

Verona High School Partners with Positive Coaching Alliance to Benefit Student Athletes

Verona High School has established a 3 year partnership with Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA), a national non-profit developing “Better Athletes, Better People” by working to provide all youth and high school athletes a positive, character-building sports experience. The partnership provides Verona High School access to PCA’s training for coaches, sports parents, student-athletes and administrators, comprising live group workshops, online courses, books by PCA Founder Jim Thompson and additional online resources, such as e-mailed follow-up tips and reminders. Please click the above link for more details.

Full Day Kindergarten Presentation May 2018

A proposal for full day kindergarten was presented at a public Board of Education meeting on May 22, 2018. Please click the link above for more details.

National History Day at HBW

Three eighth grade students from H.B. Whitehorne Middle School have been chosen to represent the state of New Jersey at the 2018 National History Day Contest at the University of Maryland, College Park. There, they will join other students from across the country to celebrate their historical research and compete for a coveted national medal. Congratulations to Meghan Kenneally, Emma Sheehan, Ella Mathewson, and Miss Rebecca Hadjiloucas honored at a winners’ circle workshop at William Paterson University on May 9, 2018. Click the header link above for more details.

Budget Update Spring 2018

An update was provided on the annual school budget at the May 8, 2018 board of education meeting on additional budget adjustments, impact to the budget, and historical perspective on the budget process. Click the above link for more details and access to the BOE meeting video.

Annual Budget Presentation April 24, 2018

On April 24, 2018, the Verona Board of Education presented and approved the following budget presentation for the 2018-19 academic year. Attached is a PDF of the Powerpoint presentation, a comparative data comparison document ranking our district's low spending versus comp districts, and the user friendly budget. Click the header link above for detail and access to documents.

Laning Bed Bug Update & Inspection Report

On April 28th, the Verona Public Schools utilized the services of a specialized trained dog through a licensed, professional pest management company to conduct a follow up inspection of Laning Avenue School. As a result of this inspection, the district has received confirmation from the pest management company that there are no bed bugs in Laning Avenue School. All bed bugs have been removed from the school and the pest management company has determined that the problem has been completely remediated.

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

Superintendent Corner Column December 2017

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.