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District News

photo of Littlebrook students working to reduce energy usage

The Spring 2024 Energy Saving Showdown challenged all six Princeton Public Schools to reduce their energy usage. Sponsored by Sustainable Princeton, it was a challenge that sparked excitement at Littelbrook. Congratulations to all the students and staff at Littlebrook for lowering the school's energy use over the past two months. Littlebrook had a 12% drop in energy usage. PHS had a drop of 9%. PMS had a drop of 8%.

Read Post about Congratulations to Littlebrook, Winner of Energy Savings Showdown
Princeton Public Schools logo

The Princeton Board of Education has approved a motion to submit paperwork to the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) seeking approval for a referendum to fund new classrooms and core spaces at Community Park Elementary, Littlebrook Elementary, Princeton Middle School, and Princeton High School. The referendum vote is planned for December 2024 or January 2025, depending upon the timing of NJDOE approvals.

Read Post about Plans Advance for Referendum to Fund New Classrooms and Core Spaces
photo collage of students viewing the ecliipse

Many students from Princeton Public Schools had the opportunity to see the partial eclipse on April 8, and the experience was enriched thanks to community partners, particularly Princeton University’s Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe (IMAP) and their community outreach team.

Read Post about Partial Solar Eclipse Viewing with Help from Princeton University's IMAP
photo of bulletin board, Autism Acceptance

As part of programming scheduled for Autism Acceptance Month, students at Princeton Middle School had an exciting opportunity to interact with Dr. Temple Grandin, a prominent author and speaker on both autism and animal behavior. A school-wide Zoom session included a series of questions from PMS students. 

Read Post about Autism Acceptance Month: Dr. Temple Grandin Meets With PMS Students
photos of PMS staff wearing autism awareness shirts

We recently caught up with Beth Murrin, Supervisor of Special Education (Grade 6 - Grade 8) to discuss special education and life skills at PMS. Here are some highlights from the conversation. Above: Princeton Middle School staff celebrate Autism Awareness Month

Read Post about Spotlight on Special Education: Life Skills and Functioinal Education at Princeton Middle School
graphic about voting for PHS in Samsung Solve for Tomorrow

Our very own Princeton High School team is a finalist in the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Community Choice Award. The winner will be the school with the most votes and the prize is $10,000. Please vote for our Princeton High School team by clicking on the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow website. After watching the PHS video, the viewer can cast his/her vote. Anyone is allowed one vote per day from March 26 to April 23.

Read Post about Samsung Community Choice: Please Vote for Princeton High School to Win
Photo of Dr. Foster and volunteers at Mobile Food Pantry

Students and members of all three PPS unions—teachers, administrators and support staff—turned out in force this week to work at the Princeton Mobile Food Pantry (PMFP), packing 576 bags of food for underserved members of the community and donating a total of $1,430 for purchases of chicken, milk, eggs, carrots, bananas, and potatoes. 

Read Post about PPS Volunteers Support Princeton Mobile Food Pantry 
photo of students creating tiles at the Arts Council of Princeton

Congratulations to the PHS science students who recently collaborated with the Paul Robeson House and the Arts Council of Princeton to make special tiles using clay from the site of the historic Paul Robeson home.Science students from James Smirk's class worked with the Arts Council of Princeton and Ryan Stark Lilienthal, the Anne Reeves Artist-in-Residence at the Arts Council, to create special tiles molded from clay taken from Paul Robeson’s Princeton residence.

Read Post about Students Work with Paul Robeson House and the Arts Council to Honor Robeson's Legacy
photo of Lunar New Year Parade at PHS

The 15-day celebration of Year of the Dragon got off to a terrific start at Princeton High School with the annual PHS Lunar New Year Parade presented by students of the Mandarin Language and Mandarin teacher Ms. Shwu-Fen Lin. Thank you to all the students who participated and shared this wonderful tradition, which is said to bring good luck and prosperity.

Read Post about Year of the Dragon Festivities Include Annual Lunar New Year Parade
photo of Mayor Mark Freda cutting ribbon at the new courtyard

May 17 was a beautiful day for the official dedication of the revitalized courtyard space at Princeton High School.Thank you to the Princeton Education Foundation, Mr. Bryan Hoffman, Mr. Joe Gargione, Ms. Bridget Schmid, RS Land Design and the many Princeton High School students who conceived, funded, created and developed the elegant and lovely new courtyard space at Princeton High School. Princeton Mayor Mark Freda officiated at the ribbon cutting ceremony.

Read Post about Ribbon Cutting and Courtyard Dedication with the Princeton Education Foundation and Mayor Mark Freda
Robocup graphic

The RoboCupJunior USA competition challenges students up to 19 years old to work collaboratively as a team to design, create, and code robots to solve problems. The competition is divided into three leagues: Soccer, Rescue, and OnStage.

The competition is open to students with any level of experience, and teams can use any tool or technology they want, from modifying preexisting robotics kits to building everything from scratch.

Read Post about May 21: RoboCup USA at Princeton High School
Princeton Public Schools logo

These highlights are an unofficial  summary of actions taken and topics discussed during the public session of the Board of Education meeting on April 25, 2023. They are intended to provide timely information to the 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 Board of Education Highlights from April 25
photo of Elizabeth van der Schaar

Jenna Peluso, Quest Coordinator & Instructor for the district, joined PPS at the end of March. Within a few weeks of starting her new job, she has had the opportunity to Zoom with elementary school parents as well as more than 100 elementary school teachers. She works in all four elementary schools and will soon be starting preliminary assessments for the new QUEST program for Kindergarten through Grade 5. We caught up with Mrs. Peluso last week to discuss her new role at Princeton Public Schools. Ms. Peluso will be conducting CogAT  testing at elementary schools starting in late April and early May.

Read Post about Jenna Peluso Leads New QUEST Program for Elementary Students
Princeton Public Schools logo

These highlights are an unofficial  summary of actions taken and topics discussed during the public session of the Board of Education meeting on March 28, 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 Board of Education Highlights from March 28
Princeton Public Schools logo

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
Princeton Public Schools logo

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
Princeton Public Schools logo

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
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
Princeton Public Schools logo

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
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

 

 

Riverside News

Flyer for Sunday, May 21 DLI Open House

Families of rising Pre-K through 2nd grade students are invited to a special information session to learn about Princeton Public School’s Dual Language Immersion program in English and Spanish at Community Park Elementary School. Community Park is now accepting applications for students in Kindergarten, Grade 1 and Grade 2. The program is open to all PPS families.

Read Post about Sunday, May 21: Meet the Principal, Teachers, Students, and Parents to Learn About Dual Language Immersion

 

 

Johnson Park News

Flyer for Sunday, May 21 DLI Open House

Families of rising Pre-K through 2nd grade students are invited to a special information session to learn about Princeton Public School’s Dual Language Immersion program in English and Spanish at Community Park Elementary School. Community Park is now accepting applications for students in preK, Kindergarten, Grade 1 and Grade 2. The program is open to all PPS families.

The event will take place Sunday, May 21, from 3-4 PM, at Community Park School, 372 Witherspoon Street, and is free and open to the whole family (childcare will be provided). 

Read Post about Sunday, May 21: Meet the Principal, Teachers, Students, and Parents to Learn About Dual Language Immersion
Johnson Park Elementary Logo

This month, JP students and staff will be busy with many academic and extra-curricular endeavors. To name a few:

  • Grade-level residence that are sponsored by our PTO will begin in grade 5.
  • The Winter Band Concert will take place at Jp on Wednesday, January 25, at 6:30 PM
  • The Winter Choir Concert will take place at JP on Thursday, January 26, at 6:30 PM.
  • Photo Re-Take Day will take place on Tuesday, January 10. If you have any questions, please call the main office and speak with Michele Cowell.
  • Winter Club Sign-Ups are coming soon! Be on the look-out for information in the next week or two.
Read Post about Johnson Park: January Highlights
photo of Tiger the PPS therapy dog

Please join us in welcoming our new PPS therapy dog, Tiger, who will be working at all four elementary schools on a rotating basis once he is fully trained.To select the right dog for the elementary schools, Ms. Sarah Moore, PPS Supervisor of Elementary Education, worked with a Golden Doodle breeder that has experience in training and placing dogs in therapeutic settings. Once Tiger completes his full course of training, which may take the remainder of this school year, he will join Ms. Moore at the elementary schools as an official therapy dog, rotating through the schools on a weekly basis.

Read Post about Please Welcome Tiger the Therapy Dog

The Arts News

High School News

a photo of Municipal Council Member Leticia Fraga with PHS students

The momentum continues to build for the project that Princeton High School Science students have entered into the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow contest. On Friday, Princeton Municipal Council Member Leticia Fraga, came to Princeton High School to congratulate students who are working on the indigenous language robot project, which was the NJ state winner in the Samsung competition. The PHS students, working with science teacher Mark Eastburn, recently completed a video submission for the national competition. The school that wins the national competition will receive $100,000 from Samsung.

Read Post about Momentum Builds as PHS Students Work on Robots for Samsung Contest
Flyer for Plate It Cooking Competition

Do you love to cook? Are you a beginning, intermediate, or accomplished chef? PPS Food Educator Tomia MacQueen is hosting a cooking tournament for PHS students and all students are invited to participate. It's easy to enter. Send a short (2 to 5 minute) video showing how you make a favorite recipe to TomiaMacQueen@princetonk12.org.

Read Post about Recipe Challenge for PHS Students, Deadline March 6
photo of Nick Hagedorn

Congratulations to PHS Senior Nick Hagedorn, who won First Place in Math at the 22nd Annual Taiwan International Science Fair (TISF) in January. Nick was selected to represent the U.S. after winning the second place Grand Prize in the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair in Dallas last May.

Read Post about Nick Hagedorn Wins First Place in Math at the International Science Fair
Peace Fair Flyer

The first-ever Princeton High School Peace Fair, with projects spanning diverse fields relating to peace, a healthy and sustainable environment, and to student wellness, drew a large crowd of students during Tiger Time on Thursday, May 25. The Peace Fair included 35 student groups who presented their peace projects in the New Gym and outside near the tennis courts. 

Read Post about First-Ever Princeton High School Peace Fair Includes Peace Projects, Games, Trivia Contests and More
photo of Elizabeth van der Schaar

Congratulations to Elizabeth van der Schaar, who has been selected to participate in this summer’s Governor’s School of Engineering and Technology hosted by Rutgers University School of Engineering.  She was selected from a very elite pool of candidates and will serve as a Governor’s School Scholar. 

Read Post about Elizabeth van der Schaar Selected for Governor's School of Engineering and Technology Program
screen shot of Princeton High School logo

Congratulations to the Princeton High School students who received awards from the Mercer County Science and Engineering program. PHS students received a total of 12 awards. Many of the students receiving awards participate in the PHS Research Program, where the develop experiments, collect data, and report on their results under the guidance of Jennifer Smolyn, James Smirk, and Mark Eastburn

Read Post about PPS Science Students Win Mercer County Science and Engineering Fair Awards
screen shot of Princeton High School logo

Congratulations to the Princeton High School students who earned academic honors from the College Board National Recognition Programs! There were 42 PHS students who students excelled in College Board assessments and schoolwork to earn the awards, which colleges use to identify academically competitive underrepresented students.

Read Post about PHS Students Receive Academic Honors from College Board National Recognition Programs
photo of PHS student and teacher

PHS student Hanqi Ma has been named a top 300 Scholar in the 82nd Regeneron Science Talent Search, a science and math competition. Each Regeneron Scholar will receive $2,000, and their schools will also receive $2,000 to use toward STEM-related activities. Congratulations to Hanqi Ma and his mentor, PHS Economics teacher Ms.Katelyn Wagner!

Read Post about Congratulations to Hanqi Ma, Named Regeneron Science Scholar
flyer for Jan 23 Career Festival at PHS

Do you have a career or a passion you would like to share with Princeton High School students? Please sign up to be part of the Princeton High School Career Festival that will take place on Monday, January 23. We have some great presenters but we would love to include more parents and community members.

Read Post about Share Your Career Insights with Princeton High School Students on January 23

 

 

Princeton Middle School News

photos of students at PMS Mental Health Fair

The Princeton Middle School Student Leadership Committee hosted their 3rd annual Mental Health Fair in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month on May 26th! To close out the month students proposed as a committee what was important to them and how they could increase wellness, this included: visiting certified therapy dogs, mindful coloring, chalk-it-out station, inviting local community members and student clubs providing resources, and more! 

Read Post about PMS Student Leadership Committee Hosts Mental Health Fair with Games, Resources, Wellness Activities
PMS Technology Student Association Wins a Total of 12 Trophies at the State Conference!

Princeton Middle School competed in 20 total competitions with a 1st finish in 8 of them and 3rd place in 4 for a total of 12 trophies! This year saw the most participants in the club that we have ever had, as well as the best final result that we have had as well. 

Read Post about PMS Technology Student Association Wins a Total of 12 Trophies at the State Conference!
photo of PMS basketball team

The PMS Boys Basketball team recently volunteered to serve meals in the community at the Princeton Cornerstone Community Kitchen. Twelve members of the “A team” walked from PMS after practice to the United Methodist Church where they prepared trays of food and catered to families in a restaurant-style service.

Read Post about PMS Boys Basketball Team Volunteers at Cornerstone Community Kitchen
Preparations for Lunar New Year at PMS

Princeton Middle School will be celebrating Lunar New Year beginning January 23 and ending on February 5.  Thank you to our parent volunteers who were at PMS this week working in the Mandarin classroom to make paper lanterns, stuffing red envelopes, and organizing of the displays for the Commons area.

Read Post about Lunar New Year at Princeton Middle School: January 23 to February 5
flyer for PHS Open House on January 19

Princeton Middle School parents are invited to an Open House to see the New Wing at Princeton High School on Thursday, January 19, from 6 PM to 7 PM prior to the Program of Studies presentation. Please meet upstairs in the collaborative space of the 210 wing. Light refreshments will be provided. As part of the Open House, parents will have the opportunity to visit the ROARE (Resource Office for Access, Renewal and Equity) Center. Hope to see you Thursday!

Read Post about Princeton High School Open House, January 19 from 6 PM to 7 PM

 

 

Community Park News

Photo from 3rd Grade Residency

The CP 3rd Grade Residency project culiminated in an event for parents to visit to view the papier mache Alebrijes with their students and to learn more about the history and significance of these amazing works of art. Thank you to resident artist Veronica Olivares-Weber, Sra. Figueroa, Ms. McDaniel, Sra. Clemens and the parent volunteers who helped make the event such a treat for families.

Read Post about Third Grace Residency Concludes with Alebrijes
First page of the PDF file: DLIInfoSessionFlyerENG-SPFINAL-1_2

Families of rising Pre-K through 2nd grade students are invited to a special information session to learn about Princeton Public School’s Dual Language Immersion program in English and Spanish at Community Park Elementary School. Community Park is accepting applications for students in preK, Kindergarten, Grade 1 and Grade 2. The program is open to all PPS families.

Read Post about Sunday, May 21: Meet the Principal, Teachers, Students, and Parents to Learn About Dual Language Immersion
photo from CP science expo

Community Park School held its annual STEAM Expo on Friday, April 28 and it was a huge success!

Sponsored by the CP PTO and coordinated by parent Chris Santarpio, CP students circulated through 20-minute presentations on 19 different STEAM topics, from Fusion v. Fission to Making Bubbles, Bacteria, Yum or Bum to Creepy Crawly Critters, Making Music to Meet Your Brain, and many more!

Read Post about Community Park's STEAM Expo, Featuring 19 Topics, a Huge Success!
photo of Community Park Art Work

Kudos to the fifth graders at Community Park for their amazing performance of William Shakespeare's The Tempest. The CP students worked with professionals from McCarter Theater to create a magical performance. The experience was enhanced by beautiful Tempest-themed art work (in Spanish and English) decorating the hallway. The students did character studies, drawings of costumes with annotations in Spanish, letters in character, and clever dioramas that added richness to the theater experience.

Read Post about The Tempest: Art Work Enhances Performance
graphic for Dual Language Immersion

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 for Fall 2023 and are interested in the DLI program should indicate their interest on the online registration “Form H, Home Language Survey” page.

Read Post about Dual Language Immersion Welcomes Kindergarten and First Grade Applicants for 2023

 

 

Littlebrook News

Flyer for Sunday, May 21 DLI Open House

Families of rising Pre-K through 2nd grade students are invited to a special information session to learn about Princeton Public School’s Dual Language Immersion program in English and Spanish at Community Park Elementary School. Community Park is now accepting applications for students in preK, Kindergarten, Grade 1 and Grade 2. The program is open to all PPS families.

The event will take place Sunday, May 21, from 3-4 PM, at Community Park School, 372 Witherspoon Street, and is free and open to the whole family (childcare will be provided). 

Read Post about Sunday, May 21: Meet the Principal, Teachers, Students, and Parents to Learn About Dual Language Immersion
photo of Littlebrook Book Drive

Larry Abrams from BookSmiles recently visited Mrs. Carlone’s 2nd-grade class at Littlebrook. Mr. Abrams spoke to the students about his organization, which collects used books and redistributes them to “book deserts” in New Jersey and Philadelphia.

Read Post about Book Donations Accepted as Littlebrook Works with BookSmiles to Collect Books for "Book Deserts"