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Last summer, roof work was started at two elementary schools: Littlebrook and Community Park, with the plan to continue this effort at other school buildings in the upcoming summers. As part of the roof upgrades, insulation was increased. At Community Park and Littlebrook, the upgrades resulted in average R-values between 45 and 52 for the new roofs. These upgrades are important for a conducive learning and working environment, but an early peak at the data shows signs of another benefit: energy savings.

Read Post about Sustainability Spotlight: Roof Upgrades at Two Schools Suggest Energy Savings
flyer for Elementary Enrollment presentation

You are invited to attend the Long-Term Planning Meeting on Tuesday, March 21, at 6 PM via Zoom.

  • Public comment (about any subject) will be held from 6 to 7 PM.
  • The planning discussion will begin at 7 PM and it will include a presentation about enrollment projections for the four elementary schools. 
  • The meeting is open to the public and all are welcome.
Read Post about Long-Term Planning Meeting, March 21, 6 PM - Link to the Zoom Recording
PMS Math Placement Night March 23 for Grades 6-8, Please Register in Advance

PMS will host a PMS Math Placement Night on Thursday, March 23 at 7 PM. This informative zoom will be for rising 6th-8th grade parents to learn about math placement, rubrics, and timelines for their students. The format for our evening will be a zoom webinar that is recorded. Please register in advance.

Read Post about PMS Math Placement Night March 23 for Grades 6-8, Please Register in Advance
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On Tuesday, Princeton University announced that it will provide more than $14 million in support to Princeton Public Schools over the next five years. Princeton University will provide the district with an unrestricted payment of $2,250,000 in the first year, an amount that will increase by 4% in each subsequent year. 

Read Post about Princeton University Announces $14 Million in Support for PPS Over Five Years
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These highlights are an unofficial summary of actions taken and topics discussed during the public session of the PPS Board of Education on February 21, 2023. They are intended to provide timely information to our community, but they do not represent an official accounting of the meeting.  Official minutes will be approved by the Board at its next meetingTo see the video of the February 21 meeting, please click here.

To subscribe to Board Highlights please email communications@princetonk12.org.

Read Post about Board Hightlights from February 21
Photo of the PPS Restart and Reopen Plan

These highlights are an unofficial summary of actions taken and topics discussed during the public session of the PPS Board of Education on January 24, 2023. They are intended to provide timely information to our community, but they do not represent an official accounting of the meeting.  Official minutes will be approved by the Board at its next meeting. 

Read Post about January 24: Board of Education Highlights
photo of a Robeson tomato

Dr. Barnes-Johnson, working with PPS faculty, other NJ educators, PPS garden educators, and community members, launched the Princeton Robeson Freedom Garden campaign during the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service at Princeton Middle School. Robeson Freedom Gardeners will gather in September 2023 to celebrate Robeson tomato gardens planted during the year.

Read Post about Celebration of Robeson Tomato Begins with Curriculum Sharing on MLK Jr Day of Service 
flyer for DLI information Sessions

Si su hijo está comenzando kindergarten o primer grado en las Escuelas Públicas de Princeton, lo invitamos a asistir a una sesión informativa de inmersión bilingüe el miércoles 18 de enero a las 6:30 p. m. o el jueves 19 de enero a las 9 a. m. Las sesiones de información se llevarán a cabo en persona en Community Park School, 372 Witherspoon Street. Todos los estudiantes que ingresen a kindergarten y primer grado serán elegibles para solicitar el Programa de Inmersión Dual de Lenguas (DLI) de PPS, donde a los estudiantes se les enseña tanto en inglés como en español. Para los grados 2do a 8to, los estudiantes que demuestren un dominio adecuado del español pueden inscribirse en el programa DLI. La asistencia a una de varias sesiones informativas que se ofrecerán es un requisito previo para la inscripción en el programa DLI. Llame al 609.806.4230 si tiene preguntas.

Read Post about Sesiones de información para padres sobre la Inmersión Dual de Lenguas (DLI) el 18 y 19 de enero
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The CP Dual Language Immersion program is open to all PPS incoming Kindergarten and 1st grade students.  Families who are registering a child for Kindergarten or 1st grade for the Spring 2023 or Fall 2023 and are interested in the DLI program should indicate their interest on the online registration “Form H, Home Language Survey” page. 

Community Park will be holding two Parent Information Sessions in January 2023. Attendance at a parent information session is required for entry to the program - DLI applications will be provided to families who attend these information sessions. 

Please call the Community Park Main Office (609-806-4230) if you have questions.

Read Post about Dual Language Immersion Welcomes Kindergarten and First Grade Applicants for 2023
Basin  photo with black plastic to kill weeds

Princeton High School's EcoLab is being restored to allow for regeneration and to encourage native species to flourish. At the same time, PPS has created a new stormwater basin near the football field where grass will be replaced with a native meadow.

Read Post about SPOTLIGHT ON SUSTAINABILITY: Changes at the Princeton High School EcoLab, New Native Meadow
flyer for Lunch & Learn PowerSchool vs. Canvas

The Lunch & Learn presentation about how to use Canvas (Learning Management System) and PowerSchool (Student Information System) was a big success. Parents in middle school and high school found it very helpful. Thank you to the PTOC and to Ms. Krista Galyon, PPS Supervisor of Technology & Innovation. If you missed the Lunch & Learn session, please check the PTOC website to see the recording.

Read Post about Lunch & Learn: PowerSchool vs. Canvas, What's the Difference - Zoom Recording
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PPS has two upcoming vaccination clinics, one on Tuesday, November 29 from 4 PM to 6 PM and one on Thursday, December 8 from 4 PM to 6 PM. Both clinics will be held at Valley Road in Conference Rooms A and B. COVID vaccinations and boosters will be available free of charge.Reservations are recommended.

Read Post about Nov. 29 and Dec. 8: Free COVID Vaccinations and Boosters for PPS Students, Families and Staff
flyer for the Princeton Master Plan Open House
Read Post about Nov. 30: Invitation to Find Out More About "Princeton's Blueprint for the Future"
JP Sustainability photo

Two schools in the Princeton Public School District, Johnson Park and Littlebrook Elementary, have met the requirements to achieve Sustainable Jersey for Schools certification, bringing the total number of certified schools across New Jersey to 352.

 

Read Post about Spotlight on Sustainability: Johnson Park and Littlebrook Elementary Schools Earn Sustainability Certification
photo of the Hispanic Heritage Assembly

There have been fantastic events district-wide during Hispanic Heritage Month, Sept. 15 - Oct. 15. But it's not over yet! At Princeton High School, the second annual Hispanic Heritage Assembly was a huge hit with students. Music, dancing and songs were just part of the fun on assembly day. After the assembly the students participated in a series of activities organized by fellow students. Activities included learning how to dance, karaoke, temporary tattoos, a photo booth, Latin-American trivia, soccer and more.

Read Post about Hispanic Heritage Month Continues with a PHS Assembly and a Numina Gallery Exhibition
Screenshot of tweet from Julia E. Ainsley

When a Ukrainian family fled the country to join a family member in Princeton, their young daughter, Yana, was enrolled at Littlebrook. 

Littlebrook Elementary and Mrs. Gargione's third-graders have welcomed Yana to the school.

Yana's story was recently highlighted on NBC News. Correspondent Julia E.Ainsley first met the family in Europe when they fled Ukraine and were hoping to move to the US. She followed up when they moved to Princeton to see what Yana's life is like now.

Read Post about Inside One Family's Journey from Ukraine to Princeton
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Princeton Public Schools will offer breakfast and lunch next year at the four elementary schools, at Princeton Middle School, and at Princeton High School. Many of our families qualify for reduced-price or free meals. We encourage everyone to fill out a form if there is a chance you may qualify for free or reduced meals. 

Read Post about Princeton Public Schools Offers Breakfast and Lunch at All Schools, Sign Up for Free and Reduced-Cost Meals
graphic for homework free weekends

Como lo hemos hecho en los últimos años, continuaremos siguiendo con los fines de semana y días festivos sin tareas. Hemos implementado esta práctica para alentar a nuestros estudiantes y a sus seres queridos a aceptar la importancia del descanso, la reflexión y la calidad de tiempo de que pasan con familiares y amigos.

Read Post about En Español: les mostramos nuestro calendario sin tareas para este año
photo of Heritage Month bulletin board

At Princeton Middle School, the bulletin board is up and students are ready to kick-off Hispanic Heritage Month. Morning announcements include  "Did You Know" announcements relating to Latino/X and Hispanic culture. Also planned: A special themed lunch and then later in the month or in early October there will be an assembly with song, dancers and actors! At Princeton High School, faculty and students of Hispanic/ LatinX heritage of been working since August planning activities and multiple ways of honoring Hispanic Heritage Month. Please stay tuned as we share information during the next 30 days.

Read Post about Hispanic Heritage Month: September 15 to October 15
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In the last year PPS schools have had the opportunity to celebrate the cultural diversity within our community with a wide variety of events and celebrations, ranging from Hispanic/LatinX Heritage Month to Black History Month to Asian American Heritage Month.

To expand upon these celebrations, we would like to provide a platform for diverse members of our community to share their voice and perspectives for future calendar spotlights. This is an opportunity for increased awareness of cultural diversity within our community. 

Read Post about Monthly Spotlight: Cultural Celebrations
Lunch prices 2022-2023

Las Escuelas Públicas de Princeton ofrecen desayuno y almuerzo en las cuatro escuelas primarias, en la Escuela Intermedia de Princeton y en la Escuela Secundaria de Princeton. El programa federal que proporcionó almuerzo gratis para todos los estudiantes. Para ver los menús, haga clic aquí. Para agregar dinero a su cuenta de almuerzo School Bucks,  haga clic aquíRegístrese para recibir comidas gratuitas o a precio reducido. Para obtener más información, clic aquí

Read Post about Precios del Almuerzo para el Año Escolar 2022-2023: Desayuno y Almuerzo Disponibles en Todas Las Escuelas
The Princeton Public Schools Logo

Like many other school districts, PPS is looking forward to providing an experience that resembles pre-pandemic schooling whenever possible for the new school year. PPS will not require masks for students or staff although in certain specific instances masks may be necessary. PPS protocols have been streamlined to best serve our students and staff. We will continue to consult with and follow the advice of the Princeton Health Department and our district physician.   We will also update this protocol if/when the NJ Department of Health revises their guidelines based on the most recent CDC changes. 

Read Post about PPS Health Protocols for School Year 2022-2023 
photo of Dr. Kelley and Rosario Casiano

Summer has been a busy and productive time for Princeton Public Schools! Our schools served as home to our vibrant and extensive summer program. Hundreds of students and dozens of teachers, support staff, bus drivers and administrators operated summer enrichment, transition programs, accelerated learning and interdisciplinary experiences addressing the summer learning needs of all of our students. In July, the district welcomed Mercer County Educational Specialist, Ms. Rosario Casiano, who conducted a special visit to PPS in recognition of our summer instructional program.  

Read Post about Busy and Productive Summer at Princeton Public Schools
photo of new PHS classroom

This fall, PHS students will have access to new classrooms, new collaborative spaces, and a wellness studio. The new spaces were built with funds from the 2018 referendum and significantly expand the amount of collaborative classroom space at PHS. Thank you to our community for its ongoing support of facilities improvement and excellence in education.

Read Post about New Classrooms and Collaborative Spaces Opening at Princeton High School
photo of Dr. Joy Barnes-Johnson

Princeton Public Schools announced Tuesday that Dr. Joy Barnes-Johnson will be the Supervisor of Science effective July 27. Dr. Barnes-Johnson has a Ph.D. in Urban Education/Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from Temple University with a primary focus on STEM education teaching. In addition, she has a master's degree in curriculum and instruction from Montclair State University, and a B.S. in Chemistry from Johnson C. Smith University in North Carolina. She has taught science at Princeton High School since 2007.

Read Post about Dr. Joy Barnes-Johnson Named Supervisor of Science for Princeton Public Schools
screen shot showing 988 which is the new suicide and crisis lifeline

On July 16, 2022, 988 will become the nationwide 3-digit dialing code for crisis and suicide prevention. It will replace the 1-800 number currently used by the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. On this date, when someone calls 988 all phones in the U.S. (mobile and landline) will connect with the crisis/suicide prevention system. This will allow anyone in the U.S. to call 988 and get help designed specifically for someone dealing with a mental health crisis.

Read Post about Lifeline: New Phone Number for Crisis & Suicide Prevention
photo of staff at I&RS training

A group of more than 30 educators, including teachers, staff from student support services and the Child Study Team, worked together on Friday at the Valley Road offices to develop expanded intervention services as part of ongoing efforts to help PPS pupils who could benefit from extra attention.

Multi-disciplinary intervention teams of school personnel at each school look at the needs of students who are at risk for learning, behavior, or health problems. The teams respond to requests for assistance made by teachers. This provides the benefit of multiple lenses looking at a concern.

Read Post about PPS Educators Gather to Expand Intervention Services for PPS Students
photo of Eating for Your Health logo

Are you interested in learning about the benefits of eating a whole food diet? Here's a group (sponsored Suppers, one of PPS's community partners) that provides helpful nutritional information.

Helping Children Feel Their Best: Nutrition Based Therapeutics features Dr. Uma Pisharody, Pediatric Gastroenterologist and Advocate for Children’s Health.

Read Post about Eating for Your Health: Information from Suppers about Nutrition for Children and Students
Photo of Strategic Planning Committee

More than 50 stakeholders participated in all-day sessions of the Core Planning Team on Tuesday and Wednesday. The Alignment Team met Tuesday evening and on Thursday the Instructional Planning Team had a full day session which included analysis of data provided by the recent surveys of students, parents and community members. The team also looked at PPS standardized testing scores and absenteeism data among other measures.

Read Post about Data Points Inform PPS Strategic Planning: First Week of Planning Underway
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We hope that all of our students and staff will have a restorative and fun spring break. 

After spring break, PPS will continue to follow the NJ Dept of Health COVID travel advisory guidelines. Staff and students who are not vaccinated need to get tested 3-5 days after travel and quarantine for 5 days. This applies to travelers who go outside of the tri-state area of NY, PA and Delaware, and for international travel. If you have tested positive for COVID in the last 90 days, and are not vaccinated, you do not need to quarantine. For more details, please click here.

Unvaccinated students who must quarantine for 5 days will be provided with remote learning. If you know in advance that your student will be quarantining between April 18-22, please let your teachers know before spring break, if possible. 

Read Post about Travel Protocols: Quarantine After Travel Information
screenshot of survey flyer

Estimados padres y miembros de la comunidad de las Escuelas Públicas de Princeton:  Como sabrán, las Escuelas Públicas de Princeton nos estamos embarcando en un proceso de planificación estratégica a largo plazo, mismo que informará la dirección y las prioridades futuras del distrito. Cada 5 a 7 años, las Escuelas Públicas de Princeton desarrollaremos un plan que nos guíe para nuestro futuro.

Read Post about Introducción a La Encuesta Para Padres Y La Comunidad Del Distrito Escolar de Princeton 
First page of the PDF file: PrincetonPublicSchoolsElementaryStudentSurvey

As you may know, Princeton Public Schools is beginning a long-term strategic planning process. Every 5 to 7 years, PPS develops a plan that informs the district's direction and priorities.

Our district values input from our community. Students are important partners as we work toward our long-term plan. We want to hear from your students, grades 3-12. Students will have the opportunity to take a short, anonymous survey in class on starting on April 1.

Read Post about Student Survey Key Part of Strategic Planning Process
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Estimadas familias de PPS,

Gracias por su apoyo en esta transición del enmascaramiento obligatorio. PPS continúa alentando el uso de máscaras, sin embargo, a partir del 7 de marzo, se implementarán nuevas pautas y protocolos que reflejan la nueva orientación del Departamento de Salud de NJ.

A medida que avanzamos al relajar los protocolos de enmascaramiento de COVID, recuerde que este es solo el primer paso. Todos los demás protocolos permanecerán en su lugar. De acuerdo con las pautas de NJDOH, el rastreo de contactos ahora implicará el uso de un radio de 6 pies alrededor de la persona infectada. Anteriormente, con el enmascaramiento universal, podíamos usar un radio de 3 pies para los estudiantes que estaban debidamente enmascarados y sentados en las filas orientadas hacia el frente.

Read Post about Estimadas familias de PPS
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Thank you for your support as we navigate the transition away from mandated masking. PPS continues to encourage masking. New guidelines and protocols are now in place to reflect the guidance by the NJ Department of Health.

As we take one step forward by relaxing COVID masking protocols, please remember that this is just the first step. All other protocols remain in place, and in some ways, are even more important.

Read Post about Updated Protocols Will Be in Effect Starting March 7