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Princeton Human Services is partnering with Central Jersey Legal Services to host a Know Your Rights session focusing on tenants’ rights on Wednesday, September 23 at 5 PM.

Princeton Public Schools plans to offer a hybrid learning option (a combination of in-person and remote learning) starting in October. Many parents have already made their preferences known through the Power School Parent Portal but there are dozens of families at every school who have not made their preference known. If you haven't signed your student up for either the hybrid option or the all-remote option, please follow these instructions.

As we prepare to launch our 2020-21 school year, we want to share with you some guidelines that will enable you to support your and our children as they engage in remote schooling.  With your partnership, we look forward to successful learning experiences for our students.

Princeton Public Schools is working to set-up the Canvas parent accounts. We anticipate the accounts will be available by the end of next week.

September 10, 2020

Dear Parent or Guardian:

If you have not completed this commitment form, this is still time. If you have already done this form via your PowerSchool Portal account, thank you.

We are in the final phase of our planning for hybrid learning that will start in October. This is not a survey; it’s the real thing!

With just a short time before school begins, students are asking basic questions about how to prepare for Monday. Until all students have their district-assigned laptops, any computer will suffice. (If you do not have access to any computer, please email your building principal.)

One easy first step to prepare for Monday is to log on to PPS Link (you can type link.princeretonk12.org into any browser).

Small things like having a routine and getting up on time can make a huge difference when it comes to remote learning. This video provides students with some ground rules for remote learning.

Dear Parent:

We hope that you and your family are well and that, despite ongoing concerns over our current health emergency, you’ve been able to enjoy time with those special to you.  During a break from that time, we hope also that you’ll respond to our “Re-Entry Commitment Application” wherein we request information about which schooling model (hybrid or all-remote) you prefer for your child(ren), if you’ll take advantage of or waive your transportation privileges, and whether or not you’ll need childcare for your youngsters in pre-kindergarten through fifth grade.  Having accurate data enhances our ability to plan effectively.

Princeton Public Schools will open on September 14 with all students learning remotely. Your school principal will provide information about schedules and class placement. There will also be an update soon about the distribution dates for student devices.

Here is some information about technology:

PowerSchool and the Parent Portal

Though the district is moving away from PowerSchool Learning as the district LMS, we will still be using PowerSchool as our Student Information System (SIS). Parents can access the Parent Portal to see their children’s attendance and grades.

Canvas is the district’s new learning management system (LMS). We will be using Canvas to support all remote learning. Click here to view a series of video tutorials to become familiar with this new platform.

Canvas is the district’s new learning management system (LMS). We will be using Canvas to support all remote learning. Click here to view a series of video tutorials to become familiar with this new platform.

Princeton Public Schools announced on Tuesday, August 18 that the district will begin classes in September in a fully-remote mode. No in-person classes will be offered until October, when the district hopes to begin a phased-in plan to bring some staff and students back to school buildings in person. 

After two public forums where Princeton Public Schools heard from a wide range of people including community members, students, alumni, and PPS staff, the Board of Education approved a name change for John Witherspoon Middle School. 

Going forward, it will be known as Princeton Unified Middle School (PUMS), an interim name that will be used until a permanent name can be chosen. The resolution passed by the Board requires a permanent name to be selected by June 30, 2021. The renaming process offers a unique learning opportunity for PPS students, and plans are underway for their participation.

The recently installed plexiglass dividers in the Princeton High School cafeteria came in handy Thursday morning when students arrived to take the scheduled math advancement test. Each cafeteria table now has plexiglass dividers and masked students sat one-per-table to take the examination. The district is installing plexiglass as needed in all six schools and the administration building on Valley Road.

Princeton Public Schools has named Cecilia X. Birge Acting Assistant Principal at Princeton High School. Ms. Birge, a teacher of Special Education and Mathematics, has been the head coach for the PHS Speech & Debate Team at PHS since 2015. She has also been the assistant coach of the PHS Girls Volleyball Team and the coach of the Girls JV Volleyball Team. 

"We are very pleased that Cecilia Birge will be an assistant principal at Princeton High School," said Interim Superintendent Barry Galasso. "She is an outstanding teacher and accomplished educator." 

Princeton Public Schools has created a plan for reopening schools in September as required by the New Jersey Department of Education. This reflects planning as of the last week of July and there will be changes and updates. To view the plan, click here.

Thank you to the more than 100 people who participated in the Thursday morning meeting about a possible name change for John Witherspoon Middle School. We heard the voices of many articulate community members, students and teachers. A particular note of thanks to Shirley Satterfield who, as always, provided helpful historical information and insightful comments.

Dear Community Member,

As we look ahead to planning for the fall and reopening our schools, the top priority of the Princeton Public Schools is to assure that all students and staff are safe and healthy.  While there is still much “in progress” in order to meet that goal, one thing that we are projecting is that we may need to partner with our community members in order to help make this happen.

To this end, I would invite you to consider becoming a Board of Education approved volunteer where you can help be a part of the solution during these difficult times.  If you would consider this, I know that an obvious question would be “What is it exactly that I am volunteering to do?”  The answer to that question is not easy as the COVID-19 situation we all find ourselves in seems to change from week to week.  However, there may be circumstances under which we need help with keeping students socially distant, entering the schools upon arrival, or things that we have not even thought of as of yet.

Princeton Human Services is seeking donors for its annual backpack and school supplies drive. The drive benefits Princeton children who are low-income and in need of school supplies and new book bags.

For the past eleven years, the Princeton Human Services Commission, Princeton University, municipal employees, local businesses, organizations and residents have donated book bags and school supplies that have benefited many Princeton children. The items are distributed to children from low-income families who attend the Princeton Public Schools and are entering kindergarten through sixth grade.

Princeton Public Schools recently announced two significant technology purchases, a one-to-one computer and tablet initiative and a new Learning Management System (LMS). A study of technology and implementation over the last few months revealed that both devices and delivery systems needed to be replaced. The cost for the new devices falls within the technology department's existing budget due to low-interest financing. 

Celebrate the class of 2020 and watch our virtual graduation ceremony.

Celebrate the class of 2024 with our virtual promotion ceremony.

Princeton Public Schools' students are a talented bunch. So talent, in fact, that in the last month there have been two talent shows, both excellent. The most offering includes only high school students and its for a good cause. The 101: is an organization that provides need-based scholarships to college for Princeton High School Graduates.

June 1, 2020

Here is an important message from Kristina Donovan, Supervisor of School Counseling:

Today is Mindful Monday.  Normally I send a Wellness Wednesday message, but this is too important to wait.

The events that have resulted in the death of many Black Americans in our country is not a new story.  The difference now is that we have cameras, video and unprecedented access to news and media. Black lives matter. It is not my right to speak for or on behalf of our BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) community members, but it is my job to ensure there is a safe space for people to share their lived experiences. It is my job to listen.

Do you have or know a Princeton child who will be turning 5 by October 1st? 

It's time to register for Kindergarten. To register, please click here: online registration forms   

Once you've pre-registered your child(ren) in Registration Gateway, please email the Registration Office (residency@princetonk12.org) to finalize the registration and enroll them remotely.  Once our district offices reopen, you will be asked to bring in original birth certificates/passports and a primary residency document (deed/tax bill) for review.  

PHS faculty and staff members have come together to create The Harry Potter Project. After being inspired by the Littlebrook car parade from a few weeks ago, PHS School Psychologist David Rosenfeld decided that he wanted to organize a community event that involved the PHS faculty and staff for their students.

Last Wednesday, Annie Kosek, our Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, announced that after 17 years with PPS she will be retiring at the end of June.

Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction Anna Gonzalez Kosek has announced her retirement from the Princeton Public Schools, effective June 30, 2020. Ms. Kosek made plans to retire from PPS months ago, never imagining how much the school environment would change in 2020.

Lara Sawers, art teacher at Community Park, challenged her students to participate in the global movement known as #museumathome and #betweenartandquarantine, where students recreate famous art works and re-interpret them creatively and then take a photo which is paired with the original artwork.

On Saturday, Michelle Seelenfreund a third-grade teacher at Littlebrook, visited Penn Medicine Princeton Health to donate 90 lunches to the staff. The Littlebrook community joined together and raised over $1,000 to buy the boxed lunches from D'Angelos, a local Italian food store that provides groceries, cheese and prepared foods. The boxed lunches included a sandwich, fruit, chips, cookie and a bottle of water.

Here is some important information from the State of New Jersey and something to add to your "just in case" file.

Q. WHAT IF I GET SICK AND CAN'T TAKE CARE OF MY CHILD?

Parents are encouraged to consider temporary guardianship options for their children in the event they become sick or incapacitated with COVID-19.

After 33 years of work within the district, Assistant Principal of John Witherspoon Middle School, Lynne Harkness, is saying goodbye to Princeton Public Schools. Her last day in the district was Monday, March 30.

Katie McDonnell, a PHS senior in the Science Research Program, has been conducting research on the effect of micro plastics on the health of Poecilia reticulata and Kuhli loaches.

I became a school counselor for Princeton High School because I believed in the power of love, care, connectedness, and compassion when working with students.

Seher Abbasi (11th) and Sumuk Anand (9th) presented their research at the Junior Science and Humanities Symposium on March 2nd.

We are developing plans for remote instruction should it become necessary to close our schools for an extended period of time. PPS uses Power School Learning as our platform for digital learning.

Princeton High School guidance counselor, Paulo Velasco, was recently honored by the College Board Counselor Recognition Program. Each year, the College Board program selects middle and high school counselors who excel at their jobs.

Construction is scheduled to begin March 1 at John Witherspoon. Director of Facilities David Harding recently shared this PowerPoint presentation with John Witherspoon parents.

Princeton High School has been named the top traditional public high school in New Jersey by Niche.com, and is ranked 20^th out of all private and public schools in New Jersey.

Littlebrook Kindergarten students spent three sessions creating a mixed media cityscape with Art Sparks.

The PHS 3-Year Research Program is now accepting applications. This program is geared towards students who are interested in pursuing their own independent scientific research project. All current freshmen are eligible to apply.

Dear Parents,

Riverside's Virtual Back to School Night will be Thursday September 17. If you didn't receive a Zoom link please check with your child's teacher or with Principal Shelley. 

Riverside Elementary School

Back to School Night – September 17, 2020

Principal Shelley's letter to families.

Dear Johnson Park Parents and Guardians,
 
It is with great pride and excitement that I write to you as the newly appointed Acting Principal of Johnson Park Elementary School. I am honored to have the opportunity to lead a school that is nothing but exceptional! I have worked in the Princeton Public School district for more than 20 years, beginning as a Special Education Teacher in 2000. I transitioned into Administration in 2005 as the Supervisor of Student Activities, served for 10 years as the District’s K-12 Supervisor of Guidance, and from 2017-2020, worked as an Assistant Principal at Princeton High School.  I am excited to continue my career in a district that prioritizes teaching and learning, supports all student learners and embraces parent and community relationships.  I am eager to develop partnerships with all JP families in a collective effort to ensure your child's success.

In recognition of Teacher Appreciation Week, Johnson Park School’s P.T.O. created a video presentation to celebrate all staff members at our school. 

Fourth-grade teacher Emily Reeg of Johnson Park reached out to the rest of the Johnson Park staff to create a wonderful collage forJohnson Park students and families.

We are proud to announce that PHS Studio Band’s first, full-length studio album was officially released on Friday, July 17, 2020.  The album was recorded at Abbey Road Studios in London in December while the Studio Band was on tour.

The PHS Visual Art Department is happy to present our *Virtual* End-of-Year Art Exhibitions! Each Studio class is represented with a slideshow of work they produced during remote learning. Although we cannot gather in person, I hope you join us in celebrating the students' accomplishments!