NEWS & EVENTS
Week of September 18, 2020
In Roxbury Township Public Schools, our students and schools are involved with more than just academics. They are active members of the community who give their time and efforts to important causes. Check out news and events throughout Roxbury.
ROXBURY SCHOOLS IN THE NEWS
Roxbury we want to hear from you! We're always looking for great stories of things happening in the Roxbury Schools and around town that involve our students, staff, and families! And now we've made it even easier to submit your content!

 Stories, high quality pictures, and even videos can be submitted here or by emailing [email protected]. Please remember to include first and last names of individuals pictured!
September Board of Education Meeting
Notice is hereby given that the September 21, 2020 Regular Meeting of the Roxbury Township Board of Education, originally scheduled to be held at Lincoln Roosevelt School, has been relocated and will be a hybrid meeting being held virtually and at the Roxbury High School (1 Bryant Drive, Succasunna, NJ). Members of the public are welcome to attend in-person or virtually. In-person attendance will be monitored and social distancing and mask guidelines followed. The September 21st Board meeting will be called to order at 6:30 p.m. followed by the Executive Session. Public Session will begin at 7:30 PM. Formal Action will be taken.

Prior to the start time of a meeting, please revisit www.roxbury.org for a registration link to join the meeting virtually via WebEx. To view a copy of that upcoming agenda and past ones, please click here! Registration is required.

Roxbury Schools Return for A Year Like No Other!
Click the video below to see an updated slideshow of our students return!

Roxbury Back-to-School Forms - Now Available
Parents, in case you haven't check it out yet, the Back-to-School parent portal in Genesis is open. Be sure to log in to review and acknowledge back-to-school documents and forms for your child for the new school year. You will need to review and complete all of the forms that are marked as REQUIRED on the back-to-school website for your child's school. 

Back-to-School packets for each school can be found online here!
Roxbury Student Meal Order Updates - Sept 17

In an effort to accommodate our families' needs with meal order delivery and pickup, the district has established two evening times in the weekly schedule. Families will now have the ability to pick up meals on Mondays and Thursdays between 4:00-6:00 p.m. in front of Roxbury High School starting next week, regardless of their home school if they cannot make the designated school pickup times.

The daily designated school pickup times again are:
  • Franklin School - 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
  • Jefferson School - 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
  • Kennedy School - 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
  • Nixon School - 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
  • Lincoln/Roosevelt - 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
  • Eisenhower MS - 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
  • Roxbury HS - 11:45 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. 
Families with children in multiple Roxbury Schools can continue to pick up meals at one location, Roxbury High School, between 11:45 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.

Weekly orders must be in no later than 10:00 a.m. the Friday prior to the start of the next week of school. Each school's form can be found at online here.

Families, if you haven't already done so, you can apply for the Free and Reduced program in Genesis at any point throughout the year. For more information on this program, click here.

Just a reminder, there will be NO COST for this through December 31, 2020.

Click here to view the Business Administrator's updated letter from September 17th.

Smooth sailing thus far, as 'hybrid' school year begins in Roxbury
Though it's set to be a non-traditional school year, with COVID-19 still a factor,  things are off to a good start, thus far, in the grades K-12 Roxbury School district. "Yes! It's been wonderful," Superintendent Loretta Radulic said in an e-mail response sent Wednesday, Sept. 16.

With Covid still a potential problem, the district has begun the 2020-21 school year with a "hybrid" school day, consisting of some time in the classroom and sometimes in the virtual classroom, on their computers, from home. Specifically, each of the seven school buildings in the district is filled to only 50 percent capacity. The in-person school day has been shortened to four hours, and the serving of lunch on site has been eliminated for the time being.

"This is like the very first year for teachers, administrators, and our students and their families, but Roxbury has successfully navigated these uncertain and ever-changing times," Radulic said. "The community is working with us and keeping students home when they are feeling ill. That is really helping us to stay open and it is much appreciated by the administration," she said. Click here to read more about Roxbury's reopening in the Roxbury Register.
 
rSchoolToday App - Daily Health Screening
Roxbury Schools is using the rSchoolToday app to do the Daily Health Screening. 

Please keep in mind that the rSchoolToday health screening is ONLY for students who are attending school in person on a given day. Therefore, ONLY students in the Blue cohort will need to conduct a health screening and submit through the app on Tuesday. Any student who is exhibiting symptoms or responds affirmatively to any of the screening questions should not attend school that day. Fully virtual students do not need to complete a health screening unless they are participating in an on-site event, such as sports. 

rSchoolToday is integrated with our Genesis Student Information system. Therefore, you must use the primary email address that is recorded in your Genesis account for either Guardian 1 or Guardian 2. If you need to update that information, please contact the Technology Help Desk at Student & Parent - Technology Help Desk Request or call 973-584-8121 (school or personal gmail account is required to view). 

If you continue to experience any difficulty using the app, you have several options. You may call the rSchoolToday hotline at 1-800-513-5220 or submit a form to the District Technology Help Desk. As a last resort, you still have the option to call in to our Health Screening Hotline at 973-584-5868. The most important aspect to all of this is that we have documentation that your child is not exhibiting any symptoms of COVID-19, has not been exposed to COVID-19, is healthy and can attend school

Click here to view Superintendent Radulic's correspondence regarding this app and other re-opening information.

Roxbury Schools Virtual Back-to-School Night
Back to School Night The Roxbury Township Public Schools will welcome parents and guardians virtually this year for back-to-school night with pre-recorded videos on Wednesday, September 30th.

Principals will send a welcome video to families that formally outlines the Back-to-School Night experience while covering topics such as school nurse updates, school counselor overviews, and individual specials highlights. Parents will then receive an email from their child's teacher and any other teachers/specialists that your child works with. Please review all the information in the videos and feel free to reach out with any questions afterward! Thank you for participating!

These pre-recorded videos will offer families the opportunity to make a connection with their student's teachers and administrators while learning about district updates, new initiatives and programming, discuss goals and learning strategies as well as hear about important dates.

RHS Virtual Financial Aid Night
Attention high school families: Usually, every September, the high school hosts a Financial Aid Night to support students and parents as they embrace the college selection process. Well, just like most other things, COVID has altered our plans. For information and resources on Financial Aid, please visit the high school's website here

We hope these additional videos will assist our high school families as they prepare for college.
'Wheels on Bus' Tradition Continues Despite COVID
COVID can't stop some things. A favorite tradition continued this year whether in-person or virtually in Patti Klein's preschool class at Jefferson Elementary School in Roxbury Township. One of the favorite back-to-school activities she does with her class is to sing one of their favorite songs, "Wheels on the Bus" while sitting in their very own bus created out of recycled materials. Click here to read more on our website under "In the News".

Franklin School PTA - Mum Sale Fundraiser
The PTA at Franklin Elementary School is committed to making this a wonderful year, engaging students, families, staff, and the community. 

Get ready for Autumn and decorate your home or business with 9" Mums from the Roxbury Garden Center.

Franklin PTA teamed up with Roxbury Garden Center to host a mum sale fundraiser. Everything can be done online!

Click here to view this fundraiser flyer in our Virtual Backpack under the flyer section. 




Lincoln Roosevelt PTO Spirit Wear Fundraiser 
Help support the LRS PTO with their spirit wear fundraiser. Show your Roxbury pride and work on keeping our community safe while sporting your LRS or Roxbury face mask. Masks are available in both youth and adult sizes. Order the LR, glitter R, or the Gold R now! Don't wait! The sale ends September 25th. Masks cost $10 each. Click here to place your order now. Masks can be sent to your home! For LRS families, be sure to enter your child's name, grade, and homeroom in the notes and check local delivery. The masks will arrive at the school!

Roxbury HS Band Parents Association Mask Holder Fundraiser
Have you seen these mask holders? These are a must have for students, teachers, parents....everyone! (Since we all have the wear a mask!). Make sure to get yours! They are selling like crazy. Get all three and support the Roxbury Band! Mask holders are $8 each. Click here for the online order form or click here to view the order form online in our Virtual Backpack under the flyer section.

Mask holders are a zippered hard-sided case, 3.5 inches across that can be used as a key chain or attached to a backpack. Can also be used to keep earbuds handy. Great for Back-to-School to show your Roxbury Pride!
For Roxbury Football: New Field, Fewer Fans
The Roxbury High School football team will be playing on sleek, new turf illuminated by new LED lights when it takes the field Oct. 9 for its first home game. But it won't be performing for many fans.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, only about 100 spectators will be allowed on the Roxbury High School primary bleachers, said Roxbury Schools Business Administrator Joseph Mondanaro. The bleachers normally hold about 1,100 Gaels fans. Mondanaro, and Roxbury High School Athletic Director Stuart Mason, said there might be room for more spectators - including on the smaller "visitors" bleachers on the other side of the field. Even so, with social distancing requirements remaining in place, the Gaels will be playing in front of far fewer supporters than usually found at a home game.

"Right now, we plan to follow state guidelines and do everything we can to make sure we are safe...but also make it special for our football players, the Roxbury Sound band members and the cheerleaders," Mason said. "We want to make sure the experience is special, and part of that is to have spectators there."

Under the current schedule, the football team will play only six times. Its first contest will be an away game against West Morris Central on Oct. 2. The 7 p.m. Oct. 9 home opener will pit the Gaels against their rivals from Randolph. The only other home games will be Oct. 23 against Mount Olive and Oct. 30 against Morristown. Click here to read more about Roxbury athletics from TAPinto Roxbury.
Gaels Going Green - Did you know...
Since 2016, the Roxbury Township Public Schools has been striving to become more sustainable and green in its policies and practices. The Board of Education and administration made the decision to pursue district sustainability and green initiatives by creating and approving a half of dozen different policies outlining its position and efforts. To that end, all seven schools in Roxbury Township attained Silver certification through Sustainable Jersey for Schools in August 2018. In this section, you will find various green initiatives, events, and tips to live a healthier, greener life. Click here for more information regarding our sustainability initiative.

Strength in Numbers! Fill Out Your Census Online!
NJCensusDay2020 continues! #NewJersey is practicing social distancing, and we thank you for that! But now we need your help more than ever to get the word out about the importance of filling out the #2020Census. The deadline to fill it out is September 30th.

Correct data can help in future situations like the one we are in! This is our one chance until 2030 to ensure that every New Jersey child gets the resources they need for a quality education. Additional Information is available at census.nj.gov.

Roxbury Clean Communities Paper Shredding Day - Sept 26
Roxbury's 5th Annual Community Shredding Event  will take place Saturday, September 26th from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Recycling Center located at 96 North Dell Avenue in Kenvil. 

Due to limited capacity, this service will be available on a fist come first serve basis..  

For more information, contact Kellie Ann Keyes at [email protected] or by calling 973-448-2053. 
Roxbury Collects  Box Tops for Education
Roxbury Township Public Schools are continuously collecting "Box Tops for Education" at our K-8 schools. This is an easy, practically effortless way to raise funds for our schools by purchasing items you buy all the time. Clipped box tops can be sent to any of our K-8 schools district-wide. School addresses can be found on our website at www.roxbury.org.

Check out the Virtual Backpack!
Here we will feature events of organizations, clubs, and teams throughout our communities that serve to enrich the lives of our students. Announcements, upcoming events, documents and forms that were previously sent home via backpacks will now be included in the Virtual Backpack. (On occasion, some paper forms, and flyers and other important information, will come home with your student or be sent to you directly via email.) This page is updated as flyers are received. Check the backpack!

Check Your Honeywell Settings!
Don't wait until severe weather hits to check your settings! You may want to change your time settings from Midnight to Midnight and have more than one way of being contacted...i.e., phone call/text message and/or email! This way if the phone lines are down/circuits are busy, etc., you are covered! Log into your Honeywell account hereClick here for parent instructions on creating an account.
Roxbury Employment Opportunities

Roxbury Schools
To view all available employment opportunities for Roxbury Township Public Schools and to apply online, visit www.roxbury.org/employment.

Roxbury Township
To view all available employment opportunities for Roxbury Township, visit http://roxburynj.us/301/Township-Employment-Information.
Upcoming Board of Education Meetings

Mondays:
09/21/2020 - Regular Meeting (Hybrid Meeting)
10/12/2020 - Regular Meeting
11/23/2020 - Regular Meeting
12/14/2020 - Regular Meeting
01/04/2021 - Reorganization Meeting

Location:  
Lincoln/Roosevelt Auditorium, 34 N. Hillside Ave., Succasunna, NJ (unless indicated otherwise)

Time:
7:30 p.m. (unless indicated otherwise)

View the Meeting Dates, Agendas, and Minutes here!
Alumni in News

Eleven Roxbury Area Students Make NJAC All-Academic Team
Eleven Roxbury area student-athletes were among 1,109 named recently to the New Jersey Athletic Conference All-Academic Team for the 2019-2020 academic year, according to the NJAC.

"To be eligible for the squad, a student-athlete must be a sophomore, junior or senior who has competed in a conference-sponsored sport while achieving a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.20," said the NJAC. "First and second-team selections were made by each of the league's 10 full-member institutions."

The Roxbury area students, and their colleges: Tyshon Bradley (Montclair), Ponsee Ibrahim (Montclair), Ryelle Sansone (Montclair), Kate Shirkey (Ramapo), Beth Sansone (Rowan), Alyssa Molina (Rutgers-Cam), Dominique Tye (Stockton), Jack Clevenger (TCNJ), Zoe Paxos (TCNJ), Kelly Tucker (TCNJ), and Danielle Dachowski (William Paterson). Click here to read this coverage from TAPinto Roxbury.
ROXBURY COMMUNITY SCHOOL UPCOMING PROGRAMS/EVENTS
Register Now!
Registrations are now being accepted for the Roxbury Community School Preschool for the 2020/2021 school year!

For more information about our high-quality program and to register for the Roxbury Community School Preschool, please visit www.roxbury.org/preschool

The Roxbury Community School Preschool is a tuition-based program open to children ages 3-5 as of October 1st and runs congruently with the district calendar and is open to non-Roxbury residents as well!
Roxbury Community School - College Prep
The Roxbury Community School is dedicated to helping students prepare for college through a few different avenues.

The Roxbury Community School has also partnered with Kaplan SAT/ACT Prep, Lentz & Lentz SAT/ACT Prep, and My 3 Sons/NJ Tutoring to empower students to excel on standardized tests like the SAT's and ACT's. Registrations are ongoing throughout the year! Click here to see what upcoming college prep programs are offered!
Roxbury Community School - Adult Programs
At the Roxbury Community School we understand adults of all ages are busy with kids, work, and life in general. Sometimes though you need to just do something for yourself.  That's where we come in! We offer evening and weekend programs and workshops geared towards adults that help to enrich your mind and body.  Join us for these fun-filled and informative programs! These programs are all open to Roxbury and non-Roxbury residents! Click here to view the adult community school programs on our website.
Roxbury Community School - Kids Corner
The Roxbury Community School offers courses and workshops year-round for children of all ages. 

Children need to be registered in the school's they attend for the after-school programs. Evening and weekend programs are open to Roxbury and non-Roxbury residents. Click here to view the kid's corner community school programs on our website.
AROUND TOWN
Information from Roxbury Township and Local Organizations
Keep up-to-date with everything going on in Roxbury Township. 
Click here for township information.

Click here for the latest edition of the Township's Monthly What's Happening E-Newsletter filled with upcoming district, township, and recreation events for all ages!

Roxbury Public Library
Go to roxburylibrary.org to access Roxbury Library's upcoming Events Calendar for adults and children. Register online for programs or call the library at (973) 584-2400. For general information, contact [email protected]Click here to view Roxbury Library's upcoming programs in events in our Virtual Backpack under the flyer section.

Follow Roxbury Township Public Library for updates.

Roxbury Recreation
The Recreation Department at Roxbury Township is proud to offer programs for residents of all ages. Here in Roxbury there are an abundant number of youth sports and activities, a lake complex which provides for summer beach fun, beautiful parks, immaculate athletic fields, playgrounds for the little ones and trails for the adventurous. Click here to visit Roxbury Recreation's website for upcoming sports, activities, and information!

Follow Roxbury Recreation for updates and programs.

Mount Arlington Recreation
Mt Arlington Rec is a group of volunteers appointed by the Mayor with the goal to coordinate and administer the recreation needs of the Borough. They work together with community volunteers to offer quality recreational programs for the entire family. Click here to visit Mount Arlington Recreation's website for upcoming programs, events, and activities!

Follow Mount Arlington Borough for updates and programs.
Community Bulletin Board and News

Coming to Roxbury on Election Day 2020: Polling Sites Without Voting Machines
Roxbury will have two polling locations on Election Day, but voting machines won't be there. The machines are among the many things erased from normal life in 2020 due to fear of spreading the coronavirus responsible for COVID-19. The Election Day polling places-one at Roxbury Town Hall on Route 46 in Ledgewood and another at the Roxbury Senior Center at Horseshoe Lake Park in Succasunna - will be open Election Day but only for dropping off completed ballots, said Roxbury Mayor Bob DeFillippo.

He said all registered voters should receive those ballots by mail no later than Oct. 5. Voters do not have to wait until Election Day to submit their ballots and officials are encouraging voters to vote early. "Ballots may be returned by U.S. mail or dropped at the 10 Morris County ballot boxes located throughout the county, DeFillippo said. One of those 10 boxes will be situated in Roxbury Town Hall.

"While we encourage all voters to either return their ballot by U.S. mail or a drop-off box, residents who desire to vote in person will receive a post card that indicates their polling location (either Town Hall or the Senior Center), said the mayor.

The polling location for those who want to wait until Election Day to cast their ballots will be based on a voter's ward and district. All voters in Roxbury Ward 1 are assigned the polling place at Town Hall, as are voters in Ward 3 Districts 1 and 6.

All other voters are assigned to the Senior Center polling site, according to the county. The two sites will be open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day for ballot drop-off. Click here to read more about the upcoming elections from TAPinto Roxbury. Click here for more election information from the Morris County Elections Center.

Click here to find out Key 2020 Voting Deadlines In New Jersey as reported in Patch.com.

Roxbury Officials Bag Groceries for Charity at Succasunna Shoprite
Not everybody checking-out in "her" aisle Thursday at the Succasunna Shoprite knew who she was, so Jaki Albrecht got pretty good at her elevator speech. As she bagged groceries as part of the annual Shoprite "Help Bag Hunger" event, Albrecht explained she was a member of the Roxbury Mayor and Council. And for some, she couldn't help but express how happy she was about that.

In the adjacent aisle, also doing his part as a bagger, state Sen. Anthony Bucco - who is also Roxbury's township attorney - was greeting shopper/constituents in a less effervescent - but well-practiced - fashion.

Farther down the line, Roxbury Councilman Richard Zoschak had an even better idea: He was standing back chatting with folks as his wife Diana Zoschak handled the bagging duties. Also shoving purchases into plastic bags and talking to townsfolk were Roxbury Police Chief Marc Palanchi and Roxbury School Board Member Anne Colucci. Click here to read more about the "Help Bag Hunger" event from TAPinto Roxbury.

Girl Scouts - Virtual Animal & Robot Themed Events
Come learn about and experience Girl Scouts with Virtual Animal and Robot Themed Events for girls in Kindergarten through third grade who are not yet in Girl Scouts--It's all Free! Connect via Zoom at the time that's convenient for you. Upcoming Morris County dates include Wednesday, September 23rd, Saturday, September 26, and October 1st. Parents and caregivers are invited too! Get more information and RSVP here or contact them at 973-248-8200. Click here to read more about this event and the Girl Scouts in our Virtual Backpack under the flyer section.

Roxbury Tree-Top & Zip Lining Adventure Park - Opening Oct 1
Hopatcong Lake Regional News had the chance to follow-up with Flagstaff Extreme in Arizona regarding the new Tree-Top adventure park in Ledgewood. They report that the construction is 100% complete, approvals are in place and they are setting for an opening of October 1, 2020. Click here to read about this opening and what to expect from Hopatcong Lake Regional News.

2020 Virtual Lake Loop Challenge - Bike, Run, Paddle 
Join the challenge October 1-11 - Register today! 
As a result of the current COVID-19 pandemic, the Lake Hopatcong Foundation's annual Lake Loop bike, run, paddle has been reimagined as the Virtual Lake Loop Challenge!

Lake Loop will still celebrate Lake Hopatcong as a recreational resource, only now we will come together virtually, with a goal of getting active for 2,020 hours and raising $60,000 to support the lake environment and enhance the lake experience for all.

Let's challenge ourselves, cheer each other on, support New Jersey's largest lake, and put "2020" behind us! Click here for more information and to register now!

Roxbury Area Elks Club Plans Pre-Halloween Concert - Oct 25
The Lake Hopatcong Elks is hosting a pre-Halloween fundraiser concert featuring four bands that will play live at its site on Mount Arlington Boulevard. The Oct. 24 concert, titled "Monsters of Rock," will feature performances by Hopatcong Sound Machine, Road Machine, Sixx Seconds to Mars (Mötley Crüe tribute) and Obey Your Master (Metallica tribute), said the Elks in a press release. It said the show will run from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.

The show will take place outside and will observe social distancing protocols, according to the Elks. "As well as the live music, we will be holding a a 50/50 raffle and there will be a fancy dress contest for those who come dressed as 80s rockers, which is sure to be great fun," said the organization. Tickets will be $10 in advance or $15 at the door. More information is available by calling (201) 230-2596. Click here to read more about this event from TAPinto Roxbury.

UPDATED: Buy-A-Brick Campaign to Help Improve Main Street
Roxbury Township's Main Street Committee invites you to help support their fundraising efforts to continue the beautification of Main Street in Succasunna. Remember a loved one or engrave your name in history! Engraved bricks cost $150 each. Group/bulk orders of ten (10) or more bricks submitted together can pay a discounted price of $125 per brick. Proceeds benefit the continued beautification of Main Street in Succasunna. The bricks are installed in the courtyard surrounding the Victorian Clock by the Gazebo at the Library. Remember a loved one. Honor your family's name on historic Main Street. Salute your graduate! Click here for more information and the order form or contact Michele O'Halloran at Town Hall 973-448-2002 or [email protected].
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The Roxbury Township Public Schools, a K-12 School District preparing the children of today for tomorrow.

42 N. Hillside Avenue, Succasunna, NJ 07876

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