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News from Around Princeton Regional Schools
July, 2010
June, 2010
May, 2010
Governor's Office Survey of State Aid Cuts: Princeton Regional School District is relieved and appreciative to be in a situation of a passed budget. However, that budget included the layoffs of close to 50 people and the reduction of programs and services for students PK-12, a result of $3.7 million dollars cut in State aid. If you would like to register your opinion about this situation with the Governor's office, this is the information you need: You can call the Governor's office at 609-292-6000. They are taking a tally on how many phone calls they get regarding the cuts in school budgets. They will not ask for a name, address or phone number. Â You are simply asked if you are for or against
the cuts.
April, 2010
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Congratulations to the John Witherspoon Science Bowl Team who took fifth place at the National Science Bowl competition in Washington, D.C.! Their 7 and 2 record at the Nationals won a $1000 prize for the school given to the team by Secretary of Energy Dr. Steven Chu in a ceremony with First Lady Michelle Obama. The team earned their berth at the national competition by taking first place in the Department of Energy's
Regional Science Bowl at Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory held on March 5th, 2010. The second-string team tied for 6th place in the regionals in the hotly contested, double elimination, quiz-bowl science fact buzzer game. Photo courtesy of Dennis Brack/National Science Bowl. |
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Congratulations to PHS Sophomore, Spencer Costanzo, for winning the 2010 Bing.com Earth Day Photo Contest!
Spencer won first place in his age group for his photograph of an iguana (on the left) taken in Puerto Rico. Bing will fly Spencer out to Seattle in May to meet with the Bing editorial team to help select photos for their website. Spencer has also won a new HP computer for himself, and an entire digital photo lab for Princeton High School. This lab includes 12 computers, 3 photo printers and 3 Canon SLR cameras. Spencer is the president of the PHS photography club, and the club looks forward to using the new equipment.
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Letter to the editor (pdf) from Board of Education President, Alan Hegedus, and Board of Education Vice President, Rebecca Cox, regarding the April 20th budget vote.
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School Board Election Results for Tuesday, April 20th, 2010
The budget was APPROVED by the following count: |
Yes - 2359 |
No - 1163 |
Elected to three three-year terms for the Board of Education: |
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Township: Dorothy Bedford, Molly Chrein Borough: Andrea Spalla |
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Congratulations to the John Witherspoon Science Bowl Team who took first place in the Department of Energy's Regional Science Bowl at Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory held on March 5th, 2010! The team is now invited to an all expenses paid trip to the National Science Bowl in Washington D.C./Chevy Chase MD to compete in the National Science Bowl. The second-string team tied for 6th place in this hotly contested, double elimination, quiz-bowl science fact buzzer game. |
Congratulations to the Princeton Regional School District K-12 World Languages Program for being designated as a model program for the 2010-2012 award period! This designation brings with it a special honor as the Princeton Regional School District is the only district statewide to be recognized for its entire K-12 program by the New Jersey World Languages Model Programs Initiative.
PHS Swim Captain Victoria Cassidy has earned All-America honors! Cassidy, senior and co-captain of the Princeton High School girls' swimming team, has been officially recognized as All-America by the National Interscholastic Swimming Coaches Association for her 500 yard freestyle swim in the New Jersey State Individual Swimming Championships on March 7, 2010. Her time of 4:52.87, which broke by eleven seconds her own school record, was more than four seconds below the automatic qualifying time for All-America recognition. Victoria's performance in the state meet caps a four-year career of athletic and academic excellence at PHS. She has accepted admission to the University of Maryland- College Park, where she will swim and pursue her career goal of nursing. Congratulations to Victoria for this rare and hard-earned honor!
March, 2010
Princeton High School Physical Education Garden is in the news! Please read the NY Times article.
February, 2010
January, 2010
Congratulations to Mr. Steve Carson, JW Science Teacher, who has been selected by the Princeton Environmental Commission as one of the recipients of the 2009 Sustainable Princeton Leadership Awards. Awards will be presented on Monday, January 11, 2009 at 7:00pm (ending around 8:30 pm) at the Princeton Public Library on the 2nd floor by the fireplace. Light refreshments will be provided. The awards are scheduled in conjunction with the Princeton Environmental Film - Festival. The award ceremony will begin with citations for each awardee outlining the accomplishments that led to their selection, followed by an informal panel discussion and Q&A with the audience.
December, 2009
Princeton High School has been ranked #94 in the nation by US News and World Report in their 2009 ranking of best high schools. PHS was the only public high school in New Jersey to make it into the top 100. See short except below on the rankings. Congratulations to Principal Gary Snyder, the PHS faculty and professional staff, the PHS administrative staff, the PHS support staff and to PHS students and parents on achieving this recognition. Please read the US News article.
November, 2009
Congratulations to our Princeton High Varsity Boys Soccer State Group III Champions! The team remained undefeated this season when they beat defending champions Milburn 2-1 on Nov. 20th.
Congratulations to Jenna Cody who raced with the elite athletes in the NJ Cross Country Meet of Champions in Holmdel Park on Nov. 21st. She finished in the top 25% with a time of 19 minutes, 50 seconds. She placed 44 out of 179 in the race.
Congratulations to Priscilla Russel - National Supervisor of the Year! Priscilla Russel won the prestigious Pearson Prentice Hall Award for national supervisor of the year! This honor is awarded annually by NADSFL, the National Association of District Supervisors of Foreign Languages (NADSFL). The award goes to one supervisor in the country based on outstanding service to the profession. This award recognizes Priscilla’s hard work and dedication in the district, her involvement and leadership in national and state organizations and her accomplishments and publications in the field of language
teaching. NADSFL has recognized the difference that Priscilla has made in our district as well as throughout the state and nation.
Congratulations to Eileen Sanchez for receiving the 2009 Council of Educational Diagnostic Services (CEDS) Member of the Year Award at the CEDS Annual Conference in Philadelphia,PA. This award is in recognition of her ten years of dedication, commitment and contributions in bringing the profession of Learning Consultants (LDT-C) to the national level. Eileen was instrumental in establishing the National Certification of Educational Diagnosticians Board (NCEDB) Exam. She was in the first cohort of Learning Consultants to meet the requirements of the NCEDB as a Nationally Certified Educational Diagnostician. Eileen recently congratulated her Princeton Regional
School District colleagues, Maureen Mahon and Susan Bellusci for meeting the requirements as Nationally Certified Educational Diagnosticians.
October, 2009
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"Three Cups of Tea" author, Greg Mortenson, will visit Princeton Regional Schools!
Princeton Regional Schools will be co-hosting Greg Mortenson at the PRS Performing Arts Center in October when our 7th graders will hear him speak. His three books are a focus for our PK-12 students' reading this year and "Three Cups of Tea" is the 2009 Princeton Reads book.
Mortenson will speak about his book and the Pennies for Peace program on Oct. 23, 6:30 p.m. at Nassau Presbyterian Church. Tickets for the event will be available on Sept. 15 with a limit of two free tickets per order. Check the Princeton Public Library website after Sept. 15 for more details.
Greg Mortenson will also be speaking at a dinner event on Sunday, October 24th at the Hyatt Regency in New Brunswick. More information about this ticketed event can be found soon at http:// www.ikat.org. |
Creating 21st Century New Jersey Schools: Fall 2009 Parent Outreach This outreach to parents is part of the Department of Education’s three-year statewide systemic model to engage all education s
takeholders in preparing students in an information age where critical thinking, effective communication across cultures and the ability to collaborate in a global environment to create new products or solve local and world problems are considered indispensible skills.
September, 2009
August, 2009
July, 2009
June, 2009
May, 2009
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Congratulations to Priscilla Russel for receiving the 2009 Supervisor of the Year Award from the Foreign Language Educators of New Jersey (FLENJ), NJ Supervisors of World Languages. This award is in recognition of all her work and dedication in the district and her contribution to the field of language education at the state and national level, as well as recognizing that Princeton Regional Schools has the only
K-12 model World Language program in New Jersey!
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April, 2009
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School Board Election Results for Tuesday, April 21, 2009
The budget passed: Yes- 1457 No- 618 Borough winning candidates: Rebecca Cox, Charles Kalmbach Township: Mia Cahill
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March, 2009
February, 2009
January, 2009
The North American Invitational Model United Nations Conference attended by Princeton High School delegation of 51 students: The conference was hosted by Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. over Presidents’ Day weekend with approximately 3,000 high school
students including some from far away as China participating. Ten Princeton High School students received awards in recognition of their exceptional work. Awards included one Best Delegate award, four Outstanding Delegate/Delegations, three Honorable Mentions and one Verbal Commendation. Congratulations to all the students who participated and PHS advisor John Baxter on this recognition.
The Committee on Teaching About the UN (CTAUN) presented the seventh grade staff at John Witherspoon MIddle School with a best practices award for their interdisciplinary project: "We are the World ~ Teaching and Learning in an Interdependent World". The project began in 2005 as an English, Social Studies, and Guidance project for the Service-Learning Program. The next year, World Languages joined in also incorporating Service-Learning. In year three, Science added their part with topics in global warming and waste management. Math joined the project with research topics related to world and national statistics. The project covers a 6-8 week period beginning in April when the UN is
introduced in Social Studies classes. The students then use what they've learned in Social Studies to do additional research in their other subjects. They also spend some time discussing, reflecting on, and researching careers. A trip to the United Nations is a highlight of the unit. The staff involved in designing the project and/or delivering this unit are: Social Studies teachers Stephanie Belli and Bob Vivens, English teachers Bob Nelson and Ellen Vickers, World Language teachers Cob Powlen and Regena Tardugno, Science teachers Steve Carson and Allison Ramus, Math teachers Mickey Indyk and Mary McCarthy, Resource teachers Patricia Kaplan, Donna Josbeno, and Sheila Costello, and Counselor John Cronin.
December, 2008
November, 2008
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The Princeton Education Foundation (PEF) announced the recipients of its 2008-09 mini-grants. This year PEF will give more than $5,000 in grants for five Princeton Regional School (PRS) district projects. The recipients are teachers representing all grade levels. "Since 1995, PEF has awarded PRS teachers over $125,000 in mini-grants for more than 150 creative educational projects in all six Princeton Regional Schools. Teacher mini-grants are small grants, ranging from several hundred to a thousand dollars which allow teachers to bring innovative ideas to life in the
classroom," said Shari Powell, co-president of PEF. |
October, 2008
Stony Brook Bridge Replacement Information
Stony Brook Bridge Forums Tuesday, October 21, 2008, 9:30am @ Johnson Park Tuesday, October 28, 7:00pm @ Johnson Park
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September, 2008
August, 2008
June, 2008
A Tribute to William "Bud" Hussey On Friday, June 28th, Community Park School lost an exceptional individual. Please read our tribute to Mr. Bud.
A Tribute to Jeffrey Lowe: On Tuesday, June 3, 2008, the Princeton Regional Schools' community lost a student advocate and exceptional individual due to illness. Please read our tribute to Jeff.
May, 2008 John Witherspoon Middle School and Princeton High School have been named by the State as benchmark schools for 2007 by the Business Coalition for Educational Excellence (BCEE) of the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce as part of the Just for Kids program initiative. Just for Kids - New Jersey provides comprehensive student performance information and practical educational best practice tools to support improved learning in New Jersey public schools. Each school is compared to the highest achieving
schools in the State that are serving similar or more challenging student populations, as defined by low income and limited English proficiency status, based on the performance of students on the state's standardized assessments. Then the successful schools are studied to identify best practices. Congratulations to PHS Principal Gary Snyder, JW Principal William Johnson, and the entire student bodies, administrative staffs, teaching staffs, and support staffs at Princeton High School and John Witherspoon Middle School on this Statewide recognition.
Congratulations to our district world languages program which was once again designated the only K-12 World Languages Model Program in the state. The state cited the strong cross -content connections of the K-5 program, numerous "best practices" throughout the program, the use of a thematic approach to creating curriculum, student centered classes and "impressive language production from even the youngest learners".
April, 2008
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The Institute for Advanced Study Supports Science Curriculum Innovation in Princeton Regional Schools
Institute Director Peter Goddard participated in a ceremony on April 14 at Princeton High School to mark formally the Institute's pledge of $100,000 to the Princeton Education Foundation to support innovations in the science curriculum at Princeton Regional Schools. Dr. Goddard cut the ribbon in the hallway of the new biology wing, where a plaque was unveiled that reads, "In grateful recognition of a donation from the Institute for Advanced Study."
"The Institute for Advanced Study is delighted to have the opportunity to support the outstanding educational work of the Princeton High School. We are proud to be associated with the biology floor of the High School, and with the opportunities for students to learn about exciting scientific developments that are changing our understanding of the basic processes of life and will be impacting our lives in the decades to come," said Dr. Goddard.
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UNOFFICIAL ELECTION RESULTS PRS 2008-2009 Budget Passes
Budget Totals: |
YES: 1426 |
NO: 727 |
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Township results: |
YES: 1095 |
NO: 468 |
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Successful Candidates: |
Walter Bliss: 1021 |
Daniel Haughton: 792 |
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Unsuccessful Candidate: |
Naomi Perlman: 696 |
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Borough results: |
YES: 331 |
NO: 259 |
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Succesful Candidate: |
Timothy Quinn: 430 |
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PHS Guidance Counselor Chris Floor received the Guardian Service to Youth Award from HiTops on Friday, April 11. Joining Chris on the dais to receive awards were Governor Jon Corzine, Jim Craigie of Church and Dwight and Megan Thompson. Congratulations Chris on receiving this recognition and for his service to this organization and to the Princeton community over the years.
March, 2008
February, 2008
Princeton High receives $1000 grant from the Siemens Foundation. As part of the 10th annual Siemens Awards for Advanced Placement, one high school per a state was recognized for its commitment to students and leadership in AP participation and performance. Read more (pdf)
January, 2008
The Princeton High School Science Olympiad Team earned first place overall in the NJ Science Olympiad Central Jersey Regional Competition held on Tuesday, January 8th at Princeton University! Eighteen high school teams competed, from which the top ten teams were invited to the Final State Competition on March 11th. Coaches were Linda Kruegel, Tim Anderson, Mark Higgins, Renee Spzorn, Denise Skalecki, and Linda Cody. The competition included 16 science, engineering, and technology events for which 15
students from each school participated in testing, labs, and building trials. Topics included cell biology, rocks and minerals, ecology, chemistry lab, and robot ramble. Four students took home gold medals in three events: Experimental Design, Chem. Lab, and Robot Ramble. Congratulations to all! |
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December, 2007
Congratulations to our PHS Model UN team and Coach John Baxter for receiving 10 awards at the Princeton University Model United Nations Conference on December 1st and 2nd! The 72 PHS students participated in over 21 hours of committee sessions against 1,050 students from 62 schools. Two delegations took home 5 of the 20 Best Delegate awards; one student received an honorable mention, and three students received verbal commendations.
November, 2007
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PHS Tennis Coach Sarah Heyman has been recognized as the Coach of the Year for Tennis for the fourth year in a row! Her team was #1 in the CVC, going undefeated in the CVC and whose only loss of the season was in the state sectional championship match.
Princeton Regional Schools now has outdoor garden classrooms at each elementary school! The Princeton Schools Garden Cooperative has worked with committed teachers, principals, parent volunteers and students at each of these schools to design, plant, water, weed and nurture the gardens into being. Please take a look at the guide (pdf) they have written that contains the steps for composting, planning and planting edible gardens as well as lesson plans and curriculum links for
math, social studies, language arts, science, visual arts and health.
October, 2007
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Celebrating the grand opening of the Princeton High School Library on Oct. 12 are, from left, PHS Librarian Arlene Sinding; Princeton University Vice President and Secretary Robert Durkee; Princeton Education Foundation President Holly Holcombe; and Princeton Regional Schools Superintendent Judy Wilson.
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The New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services (NJDHSS) is pleased to announce the launch of the 2007-2008 influenza (flu) immunization campaign. This comprehensive vaccination campaign is an effort to raise awareness of influenza and to protect New Jersey’s children through influenza vaccination. Letter from State Epidemiologist (pdf).
Princeton Regional School District has begun a self-assessment of its special education programs and procedures. As part of that process, we will conduct one public meeting. The purpose of this meeting is to obtain input that will help us identify areas that need improvement as well as district strengths in the delivery of our special education programs and services. Staff, parents and members of the Princeton Regional School District community are invited to participate. This meeting will be held at the Community Park School on October 9, 2007 beginning at 7:30pm.
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Princeton Education Foundation invites you to FALL in Love with the PHS library
All PHS community and friends and parents are invited to a celebration for the opening of the newly-renovated Princeton High School Library. Please come tour the new facility and show your support by sponsoring a new book for the library. The average age of the books in the library's current collection is over 30 years-- we need your support to help modernize the collection. If you would like to support this effort, but cannot attend the event, donor forms are available to download. |
September, 2007
Princeton Township Police Department Welcome Letter / Traffic Safety (pdf) As the 2007-2008 school year begins, the Princeton Township Police Department would like to welcome back students and parents and to take this opportunity to provide you with some information, tips and reminders regarding pedestrian and traffic safety in school zones and surrounding areas throughout the Township.
Carol S. Dweck, Ph.D. was the keynote speaker at Princeton Regional School's convocation on Tuesday, September 4th. Dr. Dweck is a leading researcher in the field of student motivation and is the Lewis and Virginia Eaton Professor of Psychology at Stanford University. Her research has focused on why students succeed and how to foster their success. For a glimpse into her work, read her interview with Education World or Mindset,
Dweck's most recent book.
August, 2007
July, 2007
On July 31st, the Princeton Regional Board of Education appointed Ms. Bonnie Lehet as Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction. (read more)
Chinese Language Summer Camp at PHS: Princeton Regional Schools and West Windsor-Plainsboro Schools in collaboration with Rutgers University are excited to offer a two-week Chinese Language summer camp. The camp will operate July 16 - 27 from 9:00am - 3:00pm at Princeton High School. Students must be entering 9th grade or above (including first year of university). More info
How Medicines are Made: a Bristol-Myers Squibb Educational Initiative and Grant aims to develop high school students' skills through reality-based case studies and exercises. Labs explore chemical and biological techniques used to identify and produce new medicines. Enrichment lessons examine environmental and human impact. July 9th - 13th from 8:30am to 12:30pm at PHS. Applications will be available May 30th.
June, 2007
May, 2007
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Constance Escher, JWMS 6th grade Ancient World Cultures teacher, has won one of 10 highly competitive Exemplary Practices Awards from the Amistad Commission of the State of New Jersey for teaching grade six students how to write a finished essay about the Triangular Slave Trade and its implications. In granting the award, Dr. Karen Jackson-Weaver, the Executive Director of the Amistad Commission, wrote of Mrs.
Escher’s work: “Your commitment to infusing African-American history into the curriculum is evident in “Amistad” and we are confident that your practice will effectively further the Amistad mandate and serve as a model practice for other districts.” The award moneys will establish an African-American history resource center at John Witherspoon and further photographic evidence of the life of former Princeton slave and school principal, Betsey Stockton (1798?-1865) about whom Mrs. Escher has published the definitive biographical work. She is photographed with Principal Bill Johnson at the awards reception held on May 31st, 2007 at Drumthwacket. |
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Community House to celebrate the accomplishments of the first 11 graduates of GenOne on May 17th. Generation One is a program designed to encourage Princeton High students who would be the first in their families to pursue college or other post-secondary education. Members of the community and the local media are invited to attend the celebration. Pre-registration is requested. More info
April, 2007
Princeton High School student Samuel Smith honored in Pictures 2007 Concert. Samuel's composition, The Story of Alikwamae, won an Honorable Mention in the High School category of the New Jersey Arts Collective's Ionisation Student Competition Contest. The contest required students to write an original composition for clarinet and viola in the tradition of Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition based on Sea Bear Transformation Mask, a work by artist Don Svanick.
On Friday, April 27th at 8:30am at Bon Appetit in Princeton Shopping Center, come meet the organizers of the Princeton Education Foundation's Fitness Center Campaign. The new Fitness Center at PHS will be used to teach life-long fitness knowledge to the school, as well as for strengthening and conditioning for sports. This facility will be constructed in the Old Gym at PHS and is slated to open in the Fall of 2007. Although
basic equipment has been provided, a campaign is needed to provide enhancements so that we have a truly well-equipped center. Come hear Athletic Director Miranda and coaches talk about the plans for this exciting new facility. This project is supported by Friends of Princeton Athletics. If you would like to be involved, e-mail Jeanine Barsamian: jhbarsam@aol.com or call her at 609-430-4364.
The Borough and Township of Princeton have notified the school district that they have entered into a cooperative gypsy moth control program with the NJ Department of Agriculture on or about May 1st through June 1st, 2007 to treat a severe outbreak. This will affect areas around Princeton High, Riverside, and Littlebrook. We have requested a "No Spray Time" around our buildings from 8:00am to 9:00am. More info
March, 2007
Princeton Education Foundation's Fitness Center Campaign. The new Fitness Center at PHS will be used to teach life-long fitness knowledge to the school, as well as for strengthening and conditioning for sports. This facility will be constructed in the Old Gym at PHS and is slated to open in the Fall of 2007. Although basic equipment has been provided, a campaign is needed to provide enhancements so that we have a truly
well-equipped center. Come hear Athletic Director Miranda and coaches talk about the plans for this exciting new facility. This project is supported by Friends of Princeton Athletics. If you missed the kickoff meetings held in early March, but would like to be involved, e-mail Jeanine Barsamian: jhbarsam@aol.com or call her at 609-430-4364.
February, 2007
January, 2007
News on legislation that will impact Princeton Regional School's ability to maintain our high level of educational excellence.
Articles from the January 18th, 2007 edition of the New Jersey School Boards Notes - Table County Pilot Plan—NJSBA - NJSBA is urging the state’s legislative
leadership to table bills that would create a single pilot county administrative school district, noting that the legislation would do nothing to reduce property taxes and could wipe out savings already achieved by local school districts. - Comptroller Bill Moves in Assembly - proposal to create a governor-appointed state
comptroller, who would conduct financial audits and performance reviews of state and local governments, including school districts, passed the Assembly on Jan. 8. - Report: Flat Funding Impacts Taxes - For the past four years, the New Jersey Legislature has essentially frozen public school funding at 2001-2002 levels,
regardless of changes in enrollment, cost or need.
NJASA comparison of Math and Reading Scores for Florida, Maryland, and New Jersey
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Mark Eastburn, World Languages teacher for grades 3-5 at Johnson Park Elementary School, wrote an article on the performance-based assessment technique he has implemented at Johnson Park. |
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HARKNESS HONORED BY JWMS STAFF
At the conclusion of the Martin Luther King, Jr. remembrance assembly at John Witherspoon Middle School, Assistant Principal Lynne Harkness was honored by the staff for her service to the school. JWMS staff and JWMS retirees dedicated a seat to her at the new PHS auditorium in appreciation of her service to the school and students.
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December, 2006
November, 2006
 Congratulations to the PHS Boys Soccer Team who lost 1-0 in the State Semi-Finals to the #1 ranked team in the state. What a year - 17- 4 !!!
October, 2006
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On October 31, 2006, the Princeton Rotary presented its Rotary Excellence in Vocation Award to John Witherspoon Principal Bill Johnson and his recently retired executive secretary Carmela Drummond. This was the first time the award was presented to a team for their efforts in developing the entire child in addition to the academic mission of the schools. The award reflected Mr. Johnson's 30 years of service and Mrs. Drummond's 54 years of service and highlighted their 30 years together in carrying out the goal of community service and exemplary leadership to students within the Princeton community. |
Community Park student in Mrs. Gougoutas' 2005-06 4th grade class wins first prize for the American Chemical Society's National contest- "Chemists Celebrate Earth Day: 'Dig It!' Illustrated Haiku Contest." Read more here
PRS Opens New Doors! Following a five-year period of construction and renovation, the Princeton Regional School District will officially open its new facilities at John Witherspoon Middle School and Princeton High School on Saturday, October 14th. To celebrate this special occasion, the school district has organized a special event showcasing the new science labs, classrooms, performing arts center, and athletic facilities. Free concerts, demonstrations, and exhibits by the students and staff; tours of the new buildings; and a festive street fair, involving many student groups as well as many of the district’s community partners, all add up to a fabulous day on Walnut Lane!
Princeton residents should look for their invitations and schedule of events in the mail.
September, 2006
Elementary World Languages Staff preparing for the new school year (photo)
Sustained Dialogue on Race Relations in New Jersey hosted by the YWCA - Princeton. Tuesdays beginning Sept. 13th. Read more
August, 2006
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