It’s that time of year again, when bathing suits are put away and backpacks are brought out of storage for the first day of school for the Evesham Township School District, Sept. 9. Cherokee High School students will return Sept. 4.
Evesham Superintendent John Scavelli is anticipating the arrival of students and the new school year.
“Every new school year presents interesting and exciting opportunities. I am looking forward to seeing our students shine both in and out of the classroom,” Scavelli said. “Our entire staff is focused on student achievement and cultivating an environment which encourages all students to achieve their personal best.”
Improvements
According to school business administrator/board secretary Dennis Nettleton, the district implemented numerous repairs and upgrades to schools.
Three capital projects were completed this summer, according to Nettleton.
“We put a new roof on Marlton Middle School; Rice Elementary required only a partial re-roofing. The third capital project was upgrading the district’s automated temperature control management software, which provides for greater energy and cost efficiencies,” Nettleton said. “And, as always is the case in the summer, we cleaned the buildings from top to bottom in preparation for a new school year.”
Safety
Following the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., the conversation of protecting students has been a priority for districts in the area, including Evesham Township.
“Protecting the safety of our students, faculty and staff is paramount,” Scavelli said. “We have upgraded the interior door locks in all of our school buildings. We also are pursuing grant opportunities to fund additional security upgrades, possibly to include the installation of strobe warning lights.”
Additionally, teachers and faculty will be working with students to make sure they’re aware of their surroundings.
“We conduct regular safety and security drills. We also appreciate — and benefit from — the active involvement of our local police and fire departments in our safety and security planning,” Scavelli said.
Curriculum
According to director of curriculum and instruction Danielle Magulick, students can look forward to an increased number of digital tools and technology resources in their classrooms, including five iPads in every preschool through third-grade classroom, and five Google Chromebooks in every fourth- and fifth-grade classroom. At the middle school level, a one-on-one Google Chromebooks Initiative is beginning with sixth-grade students in September, according to Magulick.
In grades seven and eight, students will have opportunities to utilize carts equipped with Google Chromebooks at various times throughout the school year.
“The district is excited for the upcoming school year and is committed to providing positive classroom and school communities where students feel safe, are challenged academically and enjoy school,” Magulick said.
Events
“The district has a number of programs and activities planned for the first half of the school year, including Patriot Day, International Peace Day, Red Ribbon Week, Veteran’s Day and Service Learning Projects,” Scavelli said.
Lenape Regional High School District
Superintendent of schools Carol Birnbohm will be welcoming back students to Cherokee High School and sister schools Seneca, Shawnee and Lenape.
Her message to students this year is all about acceptance.
No Place for Hate
“This year all schools at the Lenape Regional High School District will be designated ‘No Place for Hate,’” Birnbohm said. “The Philadelphia/Southern N.J. regional Anti-Defamation League office will designate the district and all high schools as a No Place for Hate resulting from last year’s initiatives to increase the appreciation of diversity, reduce bias and bullying as well as build communities of respect.
“We look forward to building upon that recognition and continuing the wonderful programs we implemented to gain No Place for Hate designation.”
Additionally, the district will be teaching students how to combat peer pressure and drug abuse.
“The district will present guest speaker Chris Herren as part of the ongoing district-wide initiative, ‘Defy the Issue,’ to combat substance abuse,” Birnbohm said. “The entire student body at each high school will view the presentation by Herren with a special parent presentation on Nov. 18 at the Lenape Regional Performing Arts Center at 7 p.m.”
According to Birnbohm, Herren’s story is a personal presentation for students and parents.
One Book, One School
The popular program, which has been a tool for teaching and creating community within the district, will be back.
“This is a highlight for each of the schools as each school creatively weaves the themes and principles of the books into classroom discussions,” Birnbohm said. “There have been academic pep rallies, corn maze challenges between schools, treasure hunts and fundraisers all related to the books chosen by the schools’ One Book One School committee.”
For more information on the districts, visit www.evesham.k12.nj.us and lrhsd.org.
Tell us what’s up
If you’d like to add to The Sun’s calendar of events or submit a press release on sports, activities, fundraisers and other events taking place throughout the school year, please email [email protected].
