DISCOVER
Livingston Public Schools
Empowering all to learn, create, contribute and grow.
Featured Photo: "Wonderous Word Wall"
Schools across the district recently celebrated the Week of Respect. Collins school kicked off the week with a read aloud of Peter H. Reynolds' book, "The Word Collector," and all students were asked to place words/sentences around a central banner answering the questions; Tell the World Who You Are and How You Will Make It Better. The "Wonderous Word Wall" banner is in the main hallway at Collins and will grow as students add to it. 
New This Week
  • Board of Education Meeting Tonight
  • Equity Team Update
  • PARENT PROGRAM OCT. 20TH: "Reducing the Risk of Teen Addiction"
  • Week of Respect
  • Big L Club Hall of Fame 2021
Superintendent News
Parents Chat with Dr. Block
Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Matt Block, hosted a "Chat with the Superintendent" event on Thursday, October 14, from 4-6pm at the Gazebo on the Memorial Park Oval. Joining Dr. Block was Assistant Superintendents Lisa Steiger and Mark Stern. Several parents showed up to the informal event and spent two hours discussing a variety of topics with the administrators. Dr. Block plans to hold additional informal community "chat" events at different times and on different days over the course of the school year. 
Board of Education
Public Meeting: October 19, 2021 at 7 p.m.
The Livingston Board of Education will hold a public meeting tonight, Tuesday, October 19, 2021, at 7 p.m. The public meeting agenda includes an update on Summer Curriculum Writing, Week of Respect video presentation, and discussion about district athletic fields.

Tonight's meeting will be held in a hybrid format. While registration for in-person attendance at Livingston Board of Education meetings will be limited to the first 20 individuals who sign-up, the Board will continue to allow members of the public to participate virtually via webinar. Registration is required for the webinar. The meeting will also be livestreamed on the district's Facebook page, @LivSchools.
District News
LPS Equity Team Update
Affinity Group Sign-Up
Livingston Public Schools’ Equity Goal seeks to improve the culture and community with LPS by enhancing inclusiveness, cultural awareness, anti-racism, and acceptance of individual differences through mandated curricular programming, extracurricular programming, and district operations. We are in the very early stages of our work and with each day we realize how much more we need to do in ensuring each of our students know they belong and are sure they are valued in our schools. READ MORE...

How can members of our school community participate in affinity groups?:

The LPS Equity Teams have been contacted by school community members with interests in creating smaller "affinity groups." Affinity groups are defined as “a group of people sharing a common interest or goal, or acting together for a specific purpose.” At this time, members of our school community and equity teams have made specific requests for an LGBTQIA+ group and an AAPI group.  We welcome additional affinity groups as part of our work in equity, inclusion, and anti-racism. If you have a suggestion or a desire to partner with the district equity team in creating any additional affinity groups, please contact Lisa Steiger at [email protected] or your building principal. These groups, which will meet approximately three times per year, will serve as an advisory group to the District Equity Team by offering their experiences, their voices, their interest in collaborating with us and their resources. To indicate your interest in participating in the LGBTQIA+ and/or AAPI affinity groups, please add your name and contact to our list by using the links below. Should additional Affinity Groups be requested, we will send out sign-up information in the Discover newsletter and post it on the district website.

October Activities!
Please take a moment to read this letter from the Director of School Counseling and visit the LPS Month of Awareness website to learn more about programs and activities that will be held across the district this month to highlight and celebrate acceptance, inclusivity, tolerance and kindness!
COVID-19 TESTING
Voluntary COVID-19 testing is now available to LPS staft, students and families every Tuesday from 3:30-5:30 p.m.  BacktoWork Solutions offers the highest quality PCR testing available with a quick 24-48 hour turnaround. Click here to register for a quick Telemed Evaluation. Following the Telemed Evaluation you will be invited to schedule your COVID test. Testing location: Riker Hill Media Center.
Parent Matters
PARENT PROGRAM
Parents are invited to attend a program about addictive and compulsive behaviors in today's adolescents presented by Paul Lavella, MA, LPC, LCADC, ACS of NJ Recovery & Wellness on Wednesday, October 20, at 7PM.
School News
Week of Respect
Schools across the district celebrated the Week of Respect! Students participated in many school-wide celebrations, events, and classroom lessons that foster
kindness and community, while celebrating each other's differences.

Learn more about all of the activities and happenings as part of the district's Month of Awareness HERE! The Month of Awareness includes:
  • October 4 - 8: Week of Respect 
  • October 18 - 22: School Violence Awareness Week 
  • October 25 – October 29: Red Ribbon Week

"We encourage you to have conversations with your child during the month, and throughout the year, in relation to these important initiatives across all schools as it relates to our work in supporting equity and inclusion as well as students’ social and emotional learning," said Sinead Crews, Director of School Counseling.
Lancer Matters
Big L Club Hall of Fame 2021
The Big L Club, the official sports booster of Livingston High School, will hold its annual LHS Athletic Hall of Fame Brunch at 10AM on Sunday, October 24, 2021. The event will be held at the Hanover Manor in East Hanover. This year's inductees include:
  • Boys' Tennis Team - 1977
  • Michael P. Genovese - 2009
  • Frank Schwindel - 2010
  • Kate Schwindel - 2011
  • Richard Shue - Coach/Contributor
  • Steve Squires - 1967
  • Melanie Talesnick - Athlete/Contributor,1995
College Counseling Corner
By LHS College Counselor Nicole Rothman
Follow me on Twitter (@LivHS_College) and Instagram (@livhs_college). The LHS College Counseling Website is another important place to find information, see updates, and contact me.
Staff News
Community Notes
Italian Ice with a Cop
The Livingston Police Department is inviting residents to join members of the department for free Italian ices, some conversation and some fun outside at police headquarters, 333 S. Livingston Avenue. On Tuesday, October 26th, the department will host an Italian Ice with a Cop event from 6:00-7:30 p.m. Citizens of all ages can enjoy a free Italian ice, explore a Livingston police car and meet the police officers that patrol their neighborhoods. View the flyer HERE!

For more information, contact Officer Joy Klapal at (973) 992-3000 extension #3229 or [email protected].
Livingston Fright Night
The Township of Livingston will hold its 11th annual Fright Night on Friday, October 29, 2021, at 4 PM. The event, will be held at the Livingston Senior/Community Center, will include Trunk or Treating and a Costume Contest Parade. In addition, a Haunted Walk will be offered at the Livingston Senior/Community Center on Friday and Saturday, October 29 and 30, from 5-8:30PM

Learn more HERE!
Library Holds Book Fest!
The Livingston Public Library has something for everyone! Visit its website to learn more about library news, departments, programs and services!
The Friends of the Livingston Public Library's Book Store will be closed beginning on Monday, October 18, to prep for Book Fest! Book Fest will open to the public on Thursday October 21, from 11:30am-7:30pm. View the flyer HERE.
LACD After School Sports Program
The Livingston Advisory Committee for Disabilities (LACD) is pleased to announce that it is restarting its after school sports program on October 20, 2021!

The sports clinics will be available to children with special needs and will be held every Wednesday from 3:30-4:30 p.m. at Monmouth Court Community Center, 26 Monmouth Court, Livingston, N.J. through May 18, 2022. Participants will be playing a variety of sports such as wiffle ball, soccer, kickball, and volleyball (with a beach ball).

Clinics will not meet on 12/29, 2/23, or 4/20. This program is free of charge and no pre-registration is required.  Participants are welcome to arrive late or leave early if necessary.

In case of inclement weather, the program will be canceled if school is closed.  Call 973-535-7961, ext. 231, to check on the program status for a specific day.

The LACD's goal will be to provide a fun-filled hour for children with special needs, while maintaining a safe environment. Players, volunteers, and parents/guardians will be required to wear a mask to attend the clinics.

For more information, please call 973-970-4441 or visit www.facebook.com/lacdnj or www.livingstonnj.org/LACD.
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DISCOVER is the award-winning e-newsletter from Livingston Public Schools with stories about students, teachers, and programs, and news about recent accomplishments and awards.