State Report Shows District Schools Continued Growth |
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Last week, local media outlets published the ranking of 2,088 New Jersey schools recently released by the State Department of Education. More than four hundred New Jersey schools were not included in the rankings as they did not have enough of the required data available to calculate a summative score--for example, special services schools, alternative high schools, and schools serving only grades K-3.
The recently released rankings were based on data from the 2018-2019 school year which, as a result of the pandemic, was the last year the state assessments, the NJ Student Learning Assessments or NSLA, were administered. A comparison of the current ranking compared to the 2017-18 data showed that 12 of our district schools scored higher that they did the previous year, including Fairview Elementary School.
Fairview Principal Michael Melando credits the district's growth to our faculty and staff's increasing proficiency in using student data to differentiate and personalize instruction.
“Fueled by genuine care for our students and armed with the best professional practices, we blend the science of instruction and the art of teaching and are precise in our use of data to understand each learner,” said Mr. Melando. "Congratulations to our teaching staff, our administrators, our support staff that assist them each day, and--most especially--to our students on their achievements."
Prior to the current ranking system, schools were often judged solely on how students did on the prior year’s standardized state test in English Language Arts and Mathematics. Solely utilizing this criteria to dictate growth raised several concerns, including districts not being properly credited for student growth prior to testing, as well as the resulting “apples” to “oranges” comparisons of schools with varying demographics and historical student performance. The state ranking system in place over the past two years, in compliance with the federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), attempts to address these concerns.
However, these state rankings have also caused some controversy for their frequent misinterpretations. Therefore, it is important to be aware of what factors are included in the calculation of these scores. The components, and their corresponding weights, used in calculating the scores that determine the current rankings are:
- English Language Arts Proficiency (17.5%)
- Mathematics Proficiency (17.5%)
- English Language Arts Growth (25% for elementary and middle school, 0% for high school)
- Mathematics Growth (25% for elementary and middle school, 0% for high school)
- 4-Year Graduation Rate (25% for high school, 0% for elementary and middle school)
- 5-Year Graduation Rate (25% for high school, 0% for elementary and middle school)
- English Language Proficiency Progress (0%*)
- Non-Chronic Absenteeism Rate (15%)
* If a school has sufficient data for this component then it is weighted 20% and each of the other weights is reduced between 2.5% and 5%.
Prior to weighting and totalling these performance components, a complex statistical formula is used to convert each of them into “indicator” scores that reflect each school’s performance on that indicator, relative to other schools with the same school configuration, and that are based on both overall school performance and average student group performance on that indicator.
As a result of this method used to calculate school summative scores and the subsequent rankings, a school that is ranked relatively high is not necessarily a school in which students perform at a higher level than a school that has a lower ranking. Since growth is 50% of the score, a school in which students typically perform at a high level and therefore does not have much room for growth may rank lower than a school that has grown significantly from the prior year.
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MTPS Welcomes Back Staff for Start of the New Year |
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This week the district welcomed back its faculty and staff to begin setting up their classrooms, and to partake in professional learning workshops.
These development opportunities, as required by the New Jersey Department of Education, are part of Phase I of the district's Phased Reopening Plan.
The workshops are designed for all staff, and are meant to prioritize the health and safety of district employees and students, ensure staff are equipped to manage student mental health and social emotional needs, and effectively plan and implement high quality teaching and learning opportunities for all students both on campus and virtually.
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The district is now accepting applications for Substitute and Anticipated Leave Replacement Teachers for all Pre-K to 12 positions.
How to Apply:
2. Select "Job Seekers" and get started
3. Enter "Middletown" when asked for your location
4. Select "Apply Now" and complete the application
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NJ Public Schools Once
Again Ranked Best in U.S.
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According to the publication, compared to the 2019 report, New Jersey widened the gap between itself and Massachusetts, which once again finished second to the Garden State.
Only New Jersey (87.3) and Massachusetts (86.7) received B+ scores.
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MTPS School Reentry
Forums and Parent Meetings
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Over the past two weeks the district has worked with individual school leadership to facilitate their 2020-21 School Reentry Parent Forums.
During these forums, principals and members of each buildings' Pandemic Response Teams have presented on their community's comprehensive reopening of schools plan.
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Following the meetings, school leadership has made available via their respective websites these health, safety and operations presentations and/or the full forum video, like the MTPS Middle School Reopening Town Hall, which you can review by following the video link in this article.
These informational, 30-minute meetings, will be conducted September 8th through 11th for grades 1-12, and September 8th through the 18th for PreK and Kindergarten students. Each school is currently accepting appointments via SignUpGenius.com. Please visit your school's website, or review email communications from your principal, for more information.
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Special BOE Meeting Scheduled for Sept. 9th |
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On Sept. 3rd the Board of Education announced it would hold a special meeting on September 9th. The meeting will be conducted virtually via the district Zoom platform, and streamed live on the district YouTube Channel.
Executive session is scheduled for 6 p.m. and the public portion of the meeting is scheduled to begin at approximately 7 p.m.
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Please follow the link, or the U.S. dial-in phone option, to attend.
On August 26th the Board of Education met for its scheduled Workshop/Voting Meeting. You may watch the meeting by following the video link above.
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A Statement from the Board of Education Clarifying Format of Future Meetings |
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During these trying times, The Middletown Township Board of Education has seen the opportunity for significantly more participation by the public during our virtual board meetings.
We do believe that the virtual platform has had a positive impact on our ability to effectively and efficiently deliver information to the community, which is archived for the public to refer to later.
During our August 26th public meeting, we discussed this topic, as well as the possibility of the board members meeting live in one location in the future, as restrictions are lifted. The motion to hold meetings live was voted on and failed.
However, the consensus via discussion was for the board to work with the administration and specifically our facilities department to develop a plan to return to in-person meetings while meeting the required safety rules. This was not voted upon, but we will pursue this over the course of the next month.
We appreciate the work done by our teachers and other building staff to prepare for this unprecedented school year. We are eager to safely return to our traditional meeting structure. We will keep the public apprised of our progress toward in-person meetings.
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On Friday, August 13th the district launched its MTPS Reopening of Schools Website, an information hub complete with Frequently Asked Questions and additional resources regarding the district’s reopening of schools plan. Please be advised, this website will be updated as we continue to receive new guidance from the NJDOE.
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NEW MTPS Technology Support Form Implemented |
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Follow Along for District News and Announcements |
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District Thanks Dr. George Ahead of Retirement; Welcomes Mrs. Walker |
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With his retirement date approaching, effective Sept. 1st, district personnel recently gathered to celebrate Dr. George's time at the helm of Middletown schools, as well as to welcome Mrs. Mary Ellen Walker as his successor.
Mrs. Walker was appointed as the new Superintendent of Schools during the Aug. 26th Board of Education meeting.
"I want to thank the board for selecting me and having trust in me to serve as the district's superintendent. I am committed to maintaining the confidence and trust of the board and our entire school community," said Mrs. Walker following her appointment.
"I would also like to thank Dr. George for his nine years of service to our students, staff and parents. He has accomplished so much, and our district is in such a different place now than when he came in. His passion and drive for excellence in education; his steadfast commitment to doing what is right for every student is second to none. We are going to miss him and wish him much success in his new endeavor," added Mrs. Walker.
Born and raised in Middletown, Mrs. Walker sent her three daughters through Middletown Township Public Schools, was a teacher at High School North and began her administrative career as an assistant principal at High School South. Her background in the financial sector prior to becoming an educator assisted her success as the District's Personnel Director. Since 2011, Mrs. Walker has served as Director for Operations and then Assistant Superintendent for Student Services and Activities.
Upon his retirement from the district, Dr. George will begin a faculty position at Monmouth University, and expressed his confidence in Mrs. Walker to help guide Middletown Schools to new heights.
"I have worked side by side with Mrs. Walker for the past nine years and I cannot think of a better person to lead our school community during these challenging times," said Dr. George. "Mrs. Walker has the experience, knowledge of the district and community, the moral compass, and work ethic to lead our district to unparalleled success in the future."
Board of Education Vice President, Robin Stella, spoke to Mrs. Walker's mastery of operations, and how her leadership will move our school community forward during these unprecedented times.
"Her knowledge and expertise in school operations will provide the stability we'll need to implement the phased reopening plan, a plan this district has worked so hard on. And Mrs. Walker was one of the chiefs in putting this plan together. She has worked tirelessly."
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Dr. George Expresses Heartfelt Thanks to our School Community in Final Address |
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MTPS Restart & Recovery Plan:
Social Distancing in Classrooms
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The MTPS Restart and Recovery Plan provides for two cohorts of students. Students in Cohort A attend Monday and Tuesday; students in Cohort B attend Thursday and Friday. This strategy significantly reduces the number of students attending in-person instruction each day. The number of students in-person in each classroom is further reduced by students opting for virtual instruction.
NJDOE guidance and Governor Murphy’s Executive Order 175 requires school districts to provide at least six (6) feet of distance between individuals in all settings to the greatest extent practicable or social distancing modifications, such as a physical barrier or turning desks to face the same direction, when six (6) feet of distance cannot be achieved.
Our NJDOE approved Restart and Recovery Plan states, “Classroom desks will be set up to maximize, when and where possible, the 6’ social distancing guidelines. Six feet social distancing of desks may not be possible at all times due to class/student enrollment.”
Our current data indicates there are classrooms throughout the district in which we are unable to ensure 6 feet social distancing due to the physical size of the classroom and number of students in-person each day. In these classrooms, and most other classrooms in the district, desks will be faced forward, and as required by the NJDOE, students and staff will be required to wear face coverings, unless doing so would inhibit the student’s health.
Principals are continuing to work to balance cohorts, but there are constraints based on the number of students opting for in-person instruction versus the physical size of classrooms. At the middle school and high school levels, the master schedule and student course requirements are additional constraints to the principal’s efforts. The process is extremely complex and time consuming at these levels, and therefore ongoing at this time.
Update on Staffing Challenges
Staffing continues to be a major challenge for school districts statewide, including Middletown. Due to the increased demand for long term substitutes for childcare and medical leaves of absences related to COVID-19, the daily substitute pool is also being negatively impacted. Employees who have traditionally filled the demand for daily substitutes are being placed into vacancies (last minute retirements/resignations) and long term substitute assignments. As more districts decide to pivot to virtual instruction, we are receiving more requests for staff accommodations. Currently, we do not have sufficient substitute teachers to fill our average daily teacher absences. In addition, there are 24 unfilled certificated staff positions, which are mainly at the middle school and high school level. We continue to work to overcome this challenge.
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District Partners with YMCA and Township for Childcare Accommodations |
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The District has been contacted by many staff members and parents/guardians regarding the difficulties of securing child care for their children during virtual home instruction days.
To help mitigate these struggles, the District has teamed with Middletown Township and the YMCA to provide child care opportunities for working parents and staff during these days.
The Y Academy will offer a full day childcare option from 2 to 5 days a week. This program offers a safe and enriching option with the flexibility to meet the needs of your schedule.
When enrolled in the Y Academy program, students, grades K-5, will work on distance learning, receive support in virtual programming lessons and activities, physical fitness, STEAM challenges, and social emotional learning. The Port Monmouth Elementary School building will operate as one location for the Academy. This building has been licensed previously as a child care facility to host before and after care programs.
The YMCA and the Township have been vetting multiple Township-owned facilities in other areas of Middletown to serve as a second location. At this time the likely second location will be the Middletown Library.
At this time, the YMCA has informed us that parents/guardians and staff have submitted interest forms for approximately 80 students.
The District is not charging the YMCA for the use of the facilities and is not receiving any revenue from the Y Academy program. We will be staffing custodians at Port Monmouth to support the program. While that represents an additional cost for the district, child care is a widespread need for the Middletown community and Middletown Township Public Schools staff. The YMCA will continue to provide before care and after care at all elementary schools in the District for students to attend on days they are attending school on campus.
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Update on Changes & Challenges
for the MTPS Reopening Plan
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Dr. George's update offers a glimpse of where our school community stands in the process of preparing for the 2020-21 academic year.
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High School Guidance Department Summer Letters |
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Please be advised, the guidance departments for High School North and South have published a summer letter for students and families with contact information for guidance counselors. Select your school letter below.
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North News Presents: Back to
School 2020 - Featuring Dr. George
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In Episode 1 of this series, Sophia sits down with Superintendent of Schools, William O. George III, Ed. D., to discuss the district's back to school plan. Follow the video link to the right to see the full episode.
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Please Review the District's Face Coverings Policy for Students, Staff & Visitors |
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Included in that plan is the district's Face Coverings Policy for Students, Staff and Visitors.
Any questions related to this comprehensive plan or the district's policy on face coverings may be directed to your building principal.
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MTPS Nurses Help us to Better Understand Proper PPE Protocols & Temperature Checks |
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On Friday, July 31st the MTPS Nursing Staff released an informational video for students and families regarding proper protocols for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and Temperature Checks.
You can watch it by following the video link to the right.
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SMART Fund Bill Calls for Additional $5oo Billion in COVID-19 Aid |
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A new bipartisan bill in the U.S. Senate calls for the delivery of federal resources to states to assist in the fight against COVID-19.
This legislation, the State and Municipal Aid for Recovery and Transition (SMART) Fund, would develop a $500 billion reserve to aid the response by state and local municipal governments to this public health and economic crisis, while allowing them to maintain essential services.
The SMART Fund would build upon the existing $150 billion set aside in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
Additionally, the bill would expand eligibility for aid to counties and municipalities with populations of 50,000 or greater. Currently that threshold is set at 500,000.
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Interested In Employment
Opportunities with the District?
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Throughout the year new employment opportunities arise for educators, paraprofessionals, and more.
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