Back to School Important Information
Tuesday, September 5, 2017 - "E" Day
9:15 a.m. School Opens
9:30 a.m. Students report to
Administrative Homerooms
August 17, 2017
Dear Parents/Guardians, Staff, and Students,
I hope that you and your family are having an enjoyable summer. It is with great pride that we welcome you to the 2017-2018 school year and look forward to inspiring your child to translate his or her potential into academic achievement
and successful lifetime skills.
As professional educators, we are entrusted with the ultimate responsibility, the education of your child, as we consistently emphasize and reinforce the lifetime skills of effort, work
ethic, perseverance, and
integrity, skills that students are able to control.
When all of us focus on the process, and control what we can control, desired results invariably
will follow. Our goal is to prepare
students to think for themselves
and make appropriate decisions
as they transition into becoming young adults.
All of us are encouraged to remain committed and dedicated to being the best that we can be. There are times that we may need to compensate/adjust and continue to be growth-minded. We do not control results, but we do control our preparation and approach.
Our school culture is based on a spirit of collaboration among teachers, staff, students, parents, and administrators. In addition to providing a safe environment, we want to encourage students to seek answers to questions, challenge assumptions and develop a strong sense of self-worth. We expect individual excellence, aesthetic appreciation and moral integrity both from our students and ourselves.
We believe in the importance of academics; however, we also focus on the physical, social and emotional skill sets students need to be successful in a competitive global economy. We promote the basic tenets of respect, integrity, responsibility, and citizenship. With these principles guiding us, we strive to teach our students life skills such as resiliency, building positive relationships and communication in order to effectively
respond to life's challenges.
Please see the New or Notable Changes for 2017-2018 Section for more details about these exciting initiatives.
Furthermore, we value direct communication with parents and students to maximize efficiency, transparency and opportunities. The first day of school will be
Tuesday, September 5, 2017 and
will begin with an administrative homeroom at 9:30
a.m. where students will receive their schedules and other important information.
In this newsletter, you will find valuable information pertaining to the modified bell schedule for September 5, 1:1 information, security procedures, HIB policy, Communications, Lifetime Skills, Emergency Information, Academic Integrity, Athletics/Co-Curricular, Scoliosis Testing, Student Safety and Wellness Day, Point of Sale Cafeteria Information, Student Dress Guidelines, Release of Information, among other forms linked to this newsletter.
Many of these documents were included in your InfoSnap re-registration that was sent to you in June. If you have not completed your InfoSnap re-registration, please do so as soon as possible as students cannot receive their laptops until this is received. If you have any questions, please contact the guidance office or an assistant principal.
On behalf of the faculty, staff and administration, we look forward to working with you to maximize your child's ability to find his or her passion and facilitate opportunities that will transform a vision into a reality through commitment and dedication.
Thank you for your continued support of our programs, policies, goals and beliefs and best wishes for a successful start to the 2017-2018 school year.
Sincerely,
Bruce R. Sabatini, Ed.D.
Principal
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Notable Changes for 2017-2018
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1. Study Skills Program
We continue to encourage students to take advantage of the NVRHSD
study skills program. During the 16-17 school year, we developed online learning modules to help students plan and reflect on personal learning to maximize academic success. These learning modules were embedded into our students' existing course work and used as a resource for teachers, students and parents. We encourage all of our parents to review the online study skills course with their sons and daughters.
Parents can
click here to view the modules. We believe that with our teachers, guidance counselors, administrators, and parents working together on this important topic, we will increase student success and decrease student stress.
2.
Course Title changes for '17-'18
As communicated on June 21, 2017
click here the district is changing its practice and/or policy related to way we note certain course levels in Powerschool and on student transcripts. Although the original communication stated that these changes would affect the '16-'17 school year forward, at this time the district is only applying these changes prospectively. As approved by the Board of Education in July, beginning in the '17-'18 school year, an (E) symbol will be added to classes considered to meet the College Prep. Enriched ('CPE') course level criteria. As a result of this, other course titles were modified. To see a complete list of approved course title changes
click here . Should you have any questions related to your child's course requests for the 2017-2018 school year, please reach out to the high school guidance office at your respective school prior to the start of the school year.
3. Managing Student Assessment Overload
Northern Valley is a rigorous academic environment that demands a high level of engagement in order to be successful, and our students often challenge themselves with multiple opportunities. Within this environment, classroom assessments can often be scheduled concurrently. Managing high school coursework and multiple assessments provides students real-time practice in the life skills they will need in college and career. This process involves good time management, responsible work balance, and self-advocacy. We understand that with the high demands of our academic programs, comes some stress and anxiety for our students.
To assist in these skills and the stress and anxiety associated with our rigorous academic environment, we have developed a system to limit the number of major assessments a student can have in a given day to three. A major assessment will be defined as an assessment that requires 30 minutes or more time to complete. We encourage students to further develop their self-advocacy skills by reaching out to teachers if they have more than three assessments that will last 30 minutes or more on a given day. The student should send an email within one day of the 4th assessment being assigned: 'copy' all teachers involved and his or her guidance counselor; speak directly with the teacher who assigned the fourth assessment and arrange an alternate time to take it. It would be expected that the student take the assessment the very next opportunity after its administration on the following day. The default time would be right after school during extra help time in media center if a mutually agreed upon time cannot be decided.
We understand that there are many other ways in which students can be academically overloaded (tests, quizzes, reports, presentations, term papers, etc.). We encourage students to communicate with their teachers and counselors to help manage these demands effectively.
4. Course Recommendations, 'Earning In' and The Waiver Process
We encourage students to challenge themselves across their academic program and throughout their four high school years. Such challenges require self awareness, a willingness to seek supports and a desire to commit. Students achieving well at their present academic level should consider potential areas of challenge. Consider interests, strengths and ability as well as future goals when selecting courses from year to year and work with their guidance counselors to explore and research opportunities to challenge oneself. We have made a few changes to our course recommendation and waiver processes as well as added an 'Earn in' provision. Our hope is that these will encourage a wider variety of students to take advantage of more rigorous opportunities.
Earn In
For a student to remain at an academic level:
- Teacher recommendation is not required for a student to remain in a specific academic level if the student achieves and maintains an 80 (B-) in that academic level.
- Teacher will indicate that the student has 'earned in' to the present level in the recommendation comment area.
For a student to 'move up' to a higher academic level (From 'CP' to 'CPE' (Enriched) or from 'CPE' (Enriched) to Honors (or the sequential AP):
- Teacher recommendation is not required for a student to 'move up' an academic level if student achieves and maintains a 95 in the present academic level
- Teacher will indicate that the student has 'earned in' to the higher level in the recommendation comment area.
Waiver Process
- Honors: a waiver will be required to remain in the honors level (if not recommended by teacher) by earning and maintaining C+ (78) .
- 'CPE' (Enriched): Waiver will be required to 'move up' to honors/AP (if not recommended by teacher) by earning and maintaining a B+ (88).
- 'CP': While a waiver is not required to 'move up' from 'CP' to to 'CPE' (Enriched), it is recommended that the student earns and maintains a B+ (88). This process requires review by the subject supervisors during the scheduling process.
- Students considering use of a waiver should maintain the required average throughout the year. Students who do not qualify at the time of the waiver but who are still interested in challenging themselves to seek a higher level should reach out to the supervisors to discuss options. Waiver consideration can be reviewed by supervisors at the end of the academic year.
5. Facility Upgrades-Classroom Air Conditioning
During the summer months, the air conditioning contractor worked vigorously to finish the installation of air conditioning in all the classrooms. It is anticipated that this project will be completed for the opening of the school year.
6. Lifetime Skills/Lunch Time Student-Staff Safety
A couple of years ago, outside vendor food deliveries to the high school's Main Entrance were eliminated in the best interest of maximizing safety and a clean environment in our Main Entrance vestibule.
For 2017-2018, parents or other individuals drop off of lunch or articles of clothing, athletic equipment, books, and/or other items will not be accepted/stored in the Main Entrance vestibule again in the best interest of maintaining a safe, clean, and appropriate environment as well as reinforcing the lifetime skills of responsibility and preparation. Students, of course, may bring their own lunch, purchase lunch from the Pomptonian Food Service and/or parents/students may order lunch in advance from Pomptonian, (details on ordering lunch will soon be communicated).
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 We encourage all of our families to carefully consider the Bring Your Own MacBook option. The process is designed to be non-intrusive and convenient and also allows for students to use one machine full time, even during the summer months when the school will not provide a computer for home use. If your child wishes to use and enroll their own MacBook, please indicate so in your InfoSnap re-registration.
10th, 11th and 12th grade only:
If your child participated in our school-issued laptop program last school year and would like to continue in 2017-18, we had communicated
in the June InfoSnap re-t
registration request that the technology maintenance fee payment for each student was to have been paid no later than
Monday, August 14. Payment of the fee on time is the only way to ensure that your child will receive a laptop in a timely manner. If you have not yet paid the annual maintenance fee, please immediately bring the
$ 75.00 payment to the NVOT Main Office.
The student and family
will not be required to attend an orientation if you previously attended one together. Payment information will be updated in the PowerSchool "One to One Technology" screen prior to pickup dates for 10th, 11th, and 12th graders. If the fee is paid by
Monday, August 14,
the student may pick up his or her laptop on the appropriate date and time in the school auditorium as per schedule below:
NVOT Auditorium
12th Grade -
Monday, August 28 -
8:00-11:00 a.m.
11th Grade -
Tuesday, August 29 -
8:00-11:00 a.m.
10th Grade -
Wednesday, August 30 -
8:00-11:00 a.m.
Last Chance Pickup for Returning 10th, 11th and 12th Graders -
Thursday, August 31 -
8:00-11:00 a.m.
9th Grade and Transfer Students:
9th Grade Laptop Orientation and Distribution for Parents and Students
August 30, 7:00 pm @ NV Old Tappan Report to NVOT Auxiliary Gym - entrance around right side of building next to auditorium
August 31, 7:00 pm @ NV Demarest Last Chance for 9th Graders/Parents @ NVD Aud.
2.
S.A.F.E. Homes (Support Alcohol Free Environment)
This is a program to raise awareness about underage drinking and illegal drug use in the community. S.A.F.E. Homes families sign a
pledge committing their homes to be alcohol and illegal drug use free to minors. The NV Coalition is offering parents the opportunity to participate in the S.A.F.E. Homes Program. Details will be emailed to all parents in the fall and/or are available on the school district web site at
www.nvcoalition.org.
3. Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights
We will continue to be diligent in enforcing the Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights, which addresses harassment, intimidation, and bullying (HIB) of school-aged children, which went into effect on September 1, 2011. The bill requires schools to: implement policies addressing HIB, train all school employees, educate students, establish stringent investigating and reporting procedures and establish a school safety team to evaluate school safety and climate in the building. Information about this law can be found at
http://oths.nvnet.org/
Parents and students were asked to acknowledge that you have reviewed the NVRHS guidelines during the re-registration process.
4. Safety and Security
In accordance with 18A:41-1, NVOT will conduct monthly security drills such as lockdowns, evacuations and fire drills. Upgrades have been made to our day-to-day security as well. We will continue to use a buzzer system at our main entrance door. Seniors who have met the criteria for off campus privileges will be able to access the main entrance with their ID cards; however, they will still be required to swipe in and out of the building at the security booth. Parents will be required to use the buzzer system between
7:55am - 6:30pm. Parents and other visitors will also be required to register with our Lobbyguard system using their driver's license when they visit the school. To help facilitate these procedures, we ask parents to visit NVOT only for official business. NVOT
does not permit outside vendors to deliver lunch. Parents are encouraged to utilize our food service or pack a lunch. Another security upgrade will include an increased number of security cameras. We will continue to utilize retired law enforcement officers to provide additional security.
5. Communication
As most parents are aware, we often communicate with you using our Constant Contact and Honeywell notification systems. This allows us to disseminate information to a large amount of people at one time. Our goal is to send as much information as we can via email and only use the phone system when necessary. Parents should log on to the
Honeywell system on the NVOT link to the district web site to enter valid email addresses. This will be the email address we use for both systems. Additionally, to help process classroom concerns in a timely and efficient manner, families are encouraged to follow the administrative 'Chain of Command.' Our goal is to resolve misunderstandings and to problem solve conflicts as close to the source as possible. Please see the Student Handbook for more details.
6. Academic Honor Code
Please take some time to again review the attached
Honor Code with you child that was included in our InfoSnap re-registration.
7. Social and Emotional Lifetime Skills
We are extremely proud of our Character Education initiative that focuses on four primary tenets: Respect, Integrity, Responsibility, and Citizenship. With these principles guiding us, we strive to teach our students life skills such as resiliency, building positive relationships, making good choices and communication in order to better deal with life's challenges. Other programs will include:
- Veterans and Memorial Day observances
- NJDOE Week of Respect and Violence Awareness Week in October
- Senior Options projects and internships by students
- Assemblies/Parent Programs
- Pre-Prom presentations regarding substance awareness education
- DUI Simulation
- Programs offered in conjunction with the NV Coalition to support Substance Use Awareness
- Suicide Prevention/Intervention
8. Emergency Authorization/Information
Included in your InfoSnap re-registration was our annual emergency authorization/information.
It is imperative that this information is completed. In the event of a crisis response situation, it is critical that we know individuals to whom students may be released and vital health information.
9. Athletics/Co-Curricular Activities
There is a $50 annual fee for students who participate in athletics or co-curricular activities
. Payment is due before the student(s) participate in athletics or co-curricular activities. Online payments are made through your InfoSnap registration. Please see Main Office or Athletic Office to pay in person by cash or check. M
ake special note of our student-athlete expectations to participants in all extra/co-curricular activities including school clubs.
Current 9th and 11th grade students will be examined on
Tuesday, September 12 during the annual Safety/Wellness Day. If you do not wish to have your child examined, please complete
the
form available in this newsletter or on the
www.nvnet.org website and return to Ms. Ferencevych, School Nurse. Also scheduled on
September 12 will be ID pictures, bus safety, and class meetings.
11. Student Dress Guidelines
Northern Valley believes the manner of dress should reflect the context of the educational environment and that students should dress with that in mind. The purpose of guidelines is to enhance the health and safety of students and to avoid distractions or disruptions to the educational process. Parents are encouraged to observe their children's appearance before they leave for school. Please refer to the student handbook for a more detailed explanation or contact an administrator if you have questions about what is appropriate.
12. POS - Point of Sale
Pomptonian Food Service, the cafeteria concession, offers a computerized Point of Sale system (POS) in our cafeteria. Parents or students are offered the convenience of putting cash or checks into a debit account to be used for the purchase of lunch items. If you would like to have your child use POS, please have your child bring to the cafeteria cash or a check payable to Northern Valley Regional High School Cafeteria Account with your child's student ID number on the memo line of the check. Questions may be referred to Pomptonian Food Service Office at Old Tappan,
201-784-1600 x 24240.
13. Additional Forms and Information:
14. Assessment
The guidelines for posting grades and providing feedback to students can be found in this
link. During the 2017-2018 school year, we will continue to strengthen assessment literacy of teachers, staff, students, parents, and our community.
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Bell Schedule
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September 5, 2017
Administrative Homeroom at the beginning of the day followed by E-Day schedule as follows:
Students arrive by 9:15 am
There will be no lunch labs on this day. Lunch labs will begin on 9/6/17 (Day A).
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Homeroom
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9:30 - 9:40 |
10 min. |
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1A
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9:43 - 10:11 |
28 min. |
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2A
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10:14 - 10:42 |
28 min. |
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3A
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10:45 - 11:13
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28 min.
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| 1B |
11:16 - 11:44 |
28 min. |
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LUNCH
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11:47 - 12:32 |
45 min. |
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5A
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12:35 - 1:03
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28 min.
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6A
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1:06 - 1:34
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28 min.
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7A
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1:37 - 2:05
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28 min.
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5B
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2:08 - 2:36
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28 min.
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IMPORTANT DATES
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8/10
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Fall Sports - Football
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8/14
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Other Fall Sports Begin or as communicated by Coaches/AD |
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8/21-25
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Marching Band Camp
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8/28
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12th grade laptop pick up
8:00 am. - 11:00 am NVOT Auditorium
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8/29
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11th grade laptop pick up
8:00 am - 11:00 am NVOT Auditorium
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8/30
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10th grade laptop pick up
8:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. NVOT Auditorium
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8/30
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9th Grade/Transfers Laptop
Orientation/Distribution
7:00 pm NVOT Aux. Gym
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8/31
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Last Chance Laptop Pickup
grades 10-11-12
8:00 - 11:00 am NVOT Auditorium
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| 8/31 |
Last Chance Laptop Pick up 9th Grade/Transfers: 7:00 pm at NVD Auditorium |
| 8/31 |
Freshman/Transfer Orientation
12:15 pm Auditorium |
| 9/1 |
First Day for Staff |
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9/5
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First Day of School - 9:30 am Delayed Opening "E" Day Modified Schedule
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9/6
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Freshman and Newcomer Parent Orientation 7:00 pm NVOT Auditorium
Fall Sports Lifetime Skills/Sportsmanship Assembly, Auditorium 2:45 pm
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9/7
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Senior Parent Night
7:00 pm NVOT Auditorium |
| 9/8 |
Pep Rally |
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9/9
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ACT Testing at NVOT 7:30 am |
| 9/11 |
BOE Meeting
7:30 pm, NVOT eStudio |
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9/12
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Student Safety/Wellness Day:
AM: Classes
PM:
ID Pictures, Scoliosis Tests, Bus Safety, Class Meetings
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| 9/16 |
Band Festival at NVOT 3:00 pm |
| 9/21-22 |
Rosh Hashanah - School Closed |
9/25
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BOE Meeting,
7:30 pm NVD Academic Theater |
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9/27
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Back to School Night:
6:15 p.m. NVOT Auditorium
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| 10/2-6 |
NJDOE Respect Week |
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10/5
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Learning Communities -
10:00 am Delayed Opening for Students
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| 10/7 |
SAT Testing, at NVOT 7:30 am |
| 10/9 |
BOE Meeting, 7:30 pm NVOT eStudio |
10/11
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Matt Bellace - Student Assemblies
Matt Bellace District Parent Assembly,
7:00 pm NVOT Auditorium |
| 10/11 |
Health and Wellness Fair at NVOT |
| 10/14 |
PSAT Test 7:30 am |
10/16
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BOE Meeting 7:30 pm NVD Academic Theater |
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10/16
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NVOT 8th Grade Parent Orientation:
NVOT Auditorium 6:30 pm
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10/17-18
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8th Graders visit NVOT
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| 10/19 |
College Night 7:00 pm NV Demarest |
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10/28
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ACT Testing at NVD 7:30 am
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| 10/26 |
Fall Concert, 8:00 pm NVOT Auditorium |
10/30
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Trunk or Treat 5:00 pm NVOT Parking Lot: North Gymnasium in case of inclement weather |
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Meet our New to NVOT Staff Members
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| Guidance |
Melissa Vion returns
*Mary Lorencovitz-leave replacement for Amanda Fitzpatrick
*Meghan Coren-leave replacement for Heather Mac Rae |
| English |
Angela Panagiotopoulos
Jerzy Okol-leave replacement for
Cristina Redmerski |
| Science |
Dr. Mai Soliman |
| Technology Education |
Christopher Chamuris (shared) |
| Special Education |
Brenna Ballan
Kelsey Maher
Elena Podgorny
Caitlin McAloon
*Sarah Christensen (Aide)
Steve Iafrate (Aide)
*Peter Kruimer (Aide)
*Aminet Soobzokov (Aide)
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| World Language/ESL |
Yeri Lopez
Carrie Opderbeck, Latin (shared)
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| Social Studies |
Ruthann Inserra (shared) |
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| Family and Consumer Science |
Heidi Kantor (shared) |
| Music |
Jonathan Meszaros |
| Theatre Arts |
Charles Miller (shared) |
| Visual Arts |
Jessica Beebe (shared) |
| Math |
Larissa Greco-leave replacement for Megan Langan |
| Physical Education |
Kayla Frohlich-leave replacement for Lindsay Steffner |
| Library Media Center Aide(s) |
TBD
*Ann Hopper |
*pending 8/28/17 BOE approval
Any additional staff changes, if necessary, will be communicated at the appropriate time.
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| Important Parent Information |
NVOT/Parent Teacher Student Organization
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NVOT Golden Knights Music Parents Association
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NV Coalition
Providing students with a SAFE HOMES program to prevent substance abuse.
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Homework Free Time Frames
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Bollinger School Sponsored Student Accident Insurance Plan
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Free & Reduced Lunch Information
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