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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Deadlines Extended for Full-Time Remote Virtual Learning Request Form |
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Please submit one (1) form for each child who will be enrolled in a MTPS school during the 2020-2021 school year AND for whom you are making a request for full-time virtual learning.
If a form is not submitted by Aug. 11th, students will be scheduled for in-person on campus instruction.
A confirmation email regarding your selection for full-time remote virtual learning will be sent to the parent/guardian email address on file prior to the start of school.
If you have any questions regarding this request form, please contact your building principal.
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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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Board of Education to Hold Special Voting Meeting on August 13th |
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The Board of Education has scheduled a special voting meeting for Thursday, August 13th.
The meeting will be conducted via the district's Zoom platform and will be live streamed on the district's YouTube Channel.
Executive session is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m.
The public meeting is scheduled to begin at approximately 7 p.m.
Please follow the link, or the U.S. dial-in phone option, to attend.
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District Releases Reopening of Schools Plan for 2020-21 Academic Year |
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Any questions related to this comprehensive plan may be directed to your building principal.
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Watch the District Presentation
on The Reopening of Schools Plan
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During the July 29th Board of Education Workshop/Voting Meeting, the district administrative team presented on the proposed "Restart and Recovery Plan to Reopen School."
Watch the full presentation on this comprehensive plan by following the video link to the right.
Any questions regarding the plan 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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Watch the July 29th BOE Workshop/Voting Meeting |
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On July 29th the Board of Education hosted its Workshop/Voting Meeting on the district's Zoom platform.
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Follow Along for District
News & Announcements
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MTPS Summer Learning Resources & Programs |
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Please follow the links below to learn more about the district's summer resources and programs. |
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High School Classes of 2020 Walk at In-Person Graduation Ceremonies |
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Our High School Classes of 2020 walked at their in-person graduation ceremonies on July 8th and 9th in front of limited guests and faculty members.
If you were unable to attend the ceremonies, or would like to share the experience with others, the MTPS High School In-Person graduation ceremony videos are now available via the district website and below.
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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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A Vision for Social Justice in our Schools |
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The Middletown Township Public School District is committed to providing opportunities for our students to openly discuss meaningful and relevant topics and assist them in reaching their full potential as lifelong learners and globally responsible citizens.
Members of our student body, alumni and school community stand together in solidarity for justice and equity.
On Thursday, June 18th, Superintendent of Schools, William O. George III, Ed. D., delivered an address in response to an open letter published by current MTPS students and alumni to he, the Board of Education and our faculty, which called for reflection and action.
"If personalized learning, self-reflection, and the ability to grow ethically and morally are foundational concepts we endorse and use to educate future leaders, then we must ask ourselves if we can do better to inspire the change we wish to see in the world," said Dr. George.
RELATED COMMUNITY LETTERS
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MTPS Arts Academy
Hosts Virtual Showcase
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B The Second Annual MTPS Arts Academy Showcase went virtual in 2020. To watch our district's rising stars place their talents on full display please click the image below. Be sure to review the showcase program by following the link.
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Opinion: Racial Insensitivity Exists Everywhere, We Are Not Immune
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By Luke Ferrell, High School North Senior
NOTE: This article was previously published in another publication
Middletown, it’s time that we have a conversation about race. Merriam-Webster defines a conversation as “an oral exchange of sentiments, observations, opinions, or ideas”. Let’s “exchange” ways to make our community a better place without “exchanging” hate or negativity. I’d like to explain why even the “fifth safest city in America to raise a child” (SafeWise, 2016) cannot be excluded from hearing stories of overcoming racial adversity.
As a proud Middletown High School North senior and a Middletown resident, I would have never in a million years imagined that the community I love and cherish would ever be subjected to any sort of racial prejudice. Up until the past few days, I have confused what I now consider hurtful and insensitive comments and slurs with humor. We’ve always been taught to treat everyone equally, but have also often been taught that it’s better to “stay out of it” or “not get involved” when it doesn’t concern us. Standing up for what is right and speaking out, even when it is unpopular, has been demonized for too long. A statement made by my classmate and good friend will change the way I see the world for the rest of my life.
On Monday, June 1, Middletown High School North’s 2020 valedictorian, Jada Tulloch posted a video on Instagram, now with over 28,000 views, 7,754 likes, and 1,453 comments. Her video is in response to students organizing a protest outside of the Middletown Township Board of Education office to push for an in-person graduation. While we all desperately want a way to celebrate our accomplishments as a class, I think our greatest accomplishment can be uniting against an issue we’ve let persist for too long. Jada states, “For me graduation represents the fact that I’ve survived years of racial discrimination, oppression, and disgusting comments from the close-minded people that I surround myself with in this god-forsaken town”. This powerful statement has opened my eyes to realize that I have been quiet for too long. Whether I was walking down the sidewalk or the hallways of my high school, I have heard racially insensitive comments and made excuses for it– usually I brushed it off as humor. Meanwhile, a person of color could’ve overheard the same comment and felt threatened and worthless. Today, I realize that not only is it ignorant to allow these comments to reach my ears without hesitation or action but that my beloved hometown isn’t in a bubble secluded from the issues of the rest of the world. Every community displays instances of racial insensitivity, and worse; however not recognizing that this is a problem in a particular area just because of its location or socioeconomic class often normalizes racially inconsiderate sentiments. This ultimately allows a snowball effect of acceptance of more and more “jokes” and slurs that target minorities.
Jada has shared an important and disheartening message in an attempt to make our town a better place. It is simply impossible to dismiss her message without understanding her experience. Few of us have walked in the shoes of a person of color.
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Interested in Learning More About the Virtual Advanced Placement Experience? |
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Middletown Township Public Schools advanced placement students and teachers recently engaged in a round table discussion regarding their virtual experience with Advanced Placement course work and assessments. The group came together to help prepare future advanced placement students. |
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District Presents Strategic Plan Goals & Objectives Draft; BOE Seeks Community Input |
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During the May 27th Board of Education Workshop/Voting Meeting, a presentation was delivered to inform our school community about the 2020-2025 Strategic Plan Goals & Objectives, which were developed with public input expressed in a district survey and during seven public forums.
The Strategic Planning Committee is seeking community input on the 2020-2025 Strategic Plan Goals and Objectives Draft through Wednesday, June 10. Community members should email their comments to strategicplanning@middletownk12.org.
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MTPS Recognized for Developing Equitable Virtual Learning Plan |
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The District was recently recognized by the Alliance for Excellent Education for the development and implementation of its virtual learning plan.
An excerpt from the article reads...
"Like many districts across the nation, Middletown Township transitioned its nearly 9,500 students to full-time remote learning in mid-March when it closed schools to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). In many ways, the suburban school district already had most of the necessary elements in place to support a successful transition, thanks in part to the five-step planning process district leaders undertook in working through the seven gears of the Future Ready Framework. The district had an existing one-to-one initiative that provides each student in third through twelfth grade with a personal device. Additionally, to implement that program successfully, the district enhanced its infrastructure, particularly the bandwidth available at its schools, and provided teachers and other school staff members with personalized professional learning to support student-centered instruction."
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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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