Sunday, May 8, 2011

Van Treuren Named Mercer's Best!

No, this is not the same post that was made a while back with regard to Mrs. Van Treuren. That post was to tell everyone that she was named Lawrence Township Teacher of the Year, a tremendous honor in itself. This post is to inform everyone that she has recently been named Mercer County Teacher of the Year! Hooray for Mrs. Van Treuren. I was thinking about how many towns there are in Mercer, as well as how many schools and then how many actual teachers. That number is a large one and she is the best. While we, at LIS, may have known this all along, it is great that we can now say it is official. Congratulations Amy. Keep up the great work!

Budget Passes!!

This post is overdue, but I wanted to thank everyone who came out and voted to approve this year's school budget. It passed with just under 70% of voters giving it the thumbs up. I sincerely appreciate all of the support that the community of Lawrence has given us over the years. It is much appreciated.

Monday, April 25, 2011

School Board/Budget Elections are Wednesday!!



School Elections are on Wednesday, April 27. Polls are open from 7AM to 9PM.

In these significant elections, Lawrence community members have the opportunity to elect three people to the Board of Education and to vote on the proposed 2011-2012 district budget.

During this slow-recovering economy, we know many in our community continue to struggle. Ongoing challenges facing people today were considerations throughout our budget process. Consequently, the proposed budget is less than last year’s budget and is over $2 million under the 2% allowable cap.

The district received $673,000 more state aid for this budget than it did last year. Rather than increase spending, the district dedicated this amount to property tax relief for our residents. Get more facts in documents posted on the district website (http://www.ltps.org/) under the Budget Central link.

Voting in School Elections is an investment in the future, and everyone has a stake in that investment and the success of public schools.

Please vote on April 27. Take your children to the polls with you and let them see democracy in action.

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Community Conversation Coming Soon


Join us and continue the journey... Begun with the “Conversation with the Community: Educating for Success in the 21st Century” in April 2009, the 2010-2015 Lawrence Township Public Schools Strategic Plan serves as a road map for achieving educational excellence. Join us, hear about the plan, and attend breakout sessions about programs within the plan and currently underway in the district. Learn about what’s going on in your schools. Community Conversation III Tuesday, May 10, 2011 7:00 – 9:00 PM Lawrence High School Commons Babysitting and refreshments provided! Pre-register at http://www.ltps.org/ via event News item. Walk-ins welcome. Questions? Call (609) 671-5405.

Friday, April 1, 2011

"Whiz Kid of the Week" is from LIS!!

Congratulations to Vicki Wengler for being the Lawrenceville Patch's "Whiz Kid of the Week!!" Vicki raised over $1800 for the St. Baldrick's Foundation last month. Feel free to click on the link below to check out her story. http://lawrenceville.patch.com/articles/vicki-wengler-whiz-kid-of-the-week

St. Baldrick's Participants Nominated for Kidsbridge Humanitarian Award!!


Below is the letter I recently wrote on behalf of some of our students for their work against pediatric cancer. Congrats and thank you to all who participated in the St. Baldrick's event!


I am writing this letter on behalf of a number of students who attend the Lawrence Intermediate School in Lawrence Township New Jersey. Just last month, each of these students participated in an annual fundraising event to support the St. Baldrick’s Foundation. This foundation raises money and awareness globally for childhood cancer research through volunteer-driven events. At this event, which was held at Amalfi’s restaurant in Lawrenceville, our students were willing to shave their heads in front of cheering supporters to raise money to support cancer research. Through this act our students were able to experience and better understand one of the most stigmatizing public aspects of childhood (and adult) cancer- losing one’s hair from chemotherapy treatment.

By being part of such an event, our students now have a much greater sense of empathy for children who are affected by this disease. I look upon these students each day at school (with their bald little heads) with a great sense of pride, knowing how much they have grown with this experience. I also know how much they have been able to help raise awareness and support the fight against cancer as the event totaled over $100,000 in monies raised.

As an educator, I know that children have the ability to lead and make a difference in our world. This is a great example of just that and I would like to nominate these students for a Kidsbridge award for the efforts and commitment to helping other children.

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Gifted and Talented Screening for 2011-12

All K-8 students are screened for eligibility to receive gifted and talented services during the 2011-2012 school year. We recognize that parents possess valuable information about the learning characteristics of their children. Parent nomination forms for G&T are currently available in each building and at www.ltps.org. Go to Admin, Office of Instructional Services, Special Programs, Gifted and Talented. Scroll down and click on Parent Inventory Form. All parent nominations are due to the main office by April 29, 2011.

Monday, March 21, 2011

Cinderella Comes to LIS!

In just a few weeks Lawrence Intermediate School students, in cooperation with the LIS PTO, will present this year's spring musical, Rogers & Hammerstein's "Cinderella!" Almost 100 children are involved in this year's production. These students and several teachers have been working very hard over the past few months, remembering their lines, hitting the right musical notes, working on choreographed dance moves, painting, hammering, you name it, all in preparation for the big show.

This is the second year we have put on a musical at LIS. Last year's "Willie Wonka Kids" was very well received, selling out on both nights it was performed. It was a great opportunity for our students to participate in a theatrical production and we committed ourselves to bringing the musical back for this school year.
Performances will be held on March 31 and April 1 at 7pm. Adult tickets are $6 while student tickets are $4. A limited number of tickets will be on sale at the door both nights if they do not sell out beforehand.
Please reach out to Ms. Rello (srello@ltps.org) or Ms. Lowden (mlowden@ltps.org) if you have any questions.

Saturday, March 5, 2011

Holt Beats IBM Super-computer 'Watson'!!

Since Congressman Rush Holt visited LIS a while back to check out our educational technology program in 6th grade, some of our students have been interested in following him. They recently brought to my attention the fact that he was the lone member of Congress to defeat IBM Super-computer, 'Watson' in a round of Jeopardy! Watson defeated several former Jeopardy! champions as well as a handful of U.S. Representatives from Congress before meeting his match with Congressman Holt. Check out the article by clicking on the link below. http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2011/03/rep_rush_holt_takes_down_ibm_s.html

Saturday, February 26, 2011

LIS named 2011 NJ School of Character!!


Congrats to the staff, students and parents at LIS on being named a New Jersey School of Character for the third straight year. LIS was one of only eleven schools across the state this year to obtain this title. Character Ed. is a core part of our programming at school and we are very appreciative and proud to receive this honor. Special thanks go to Mrs. Budzinski, Mrs. Heller and Ms. Westhead for all their help in putting together the application. Feel free to check out the Character Education Partnership's website at http://www.character.org/.

Saturday, February 12, 2011

Mrs. Van Treuren Named Teacher of the Year!!


Congratulations to Mrs. Van Treuren on being named Lawrence Township Public Schools' Teacher of the Year! I am very happy for her and I know that her success is so well-deserved. Mrs. Van Treuren is a great teacher who is so good at understanding children, their needs, and what it will take to get them to reach their potential. Feel free to click on the link below to read the article written about her in the Lawrence Ledger.


LIS Student is Whiz-Kid of the Week!!

Congratulations and thank you to Nelle Evans for all of her efforts with the Souper Bowl of Caring! Rightfully so, she has been named by the Lawrenceville Patch as the "Whiz-Kid of the Week!!" Feel free to check out Nelle's work by clicking on the link below.

http://lawrenceville.patch.com/articles/nelle-evans-whiz-kid-of-the-week

Sunday, January 23, 2011

U.S. Congressman Rush Holt Visits LIS

A few weeks ago, we received a call from Congressman Rush Holt's office. He said he had heard good things about our Talent 21 laptop initiative and wanted to know if he could stop by and take a look for himself. Well, how could we say no? We were ecstatic that Congressman Holt wanted to visit our school.

Mr. Holt visited a few classrooms in 6th grade to see the infusion of technology. Given his background as a physicist, he felt right at home in Mr. Mielcarek's science class and became somewhat of a guest lecturer. The most interesting and personal part of the Congressman's visit, however, was the round table discussion we put together between him and a small group of students. They spoke to him about all the ways their learning and teachers' instruction has changed with the use of the laptops, Smartboards, etc. this year. Our students also impressed the Congressman with their knowledge of government (special thumbs up to Rithvick for getting the Connecticut Compromise question right)!

We were very happy that Mr. Holt took the time out of his busy schedule to visit our school. It was a great opportunity to share some of the great things that we do at LIS and a nice opportunity for us to learn a little about our Congressman as well. We appreciate his time and support!

LIS Night a Blast for Everyone




On Friday, January 14th, over 250 LIS staff members, students and families joined each other in Alumni Gym to support the Rider Men's Basketball team as they took on the Iona Gaels. It was an amazing game that went all the way to overtime! The home team led for the first 4:30 seconds of the 5 minute overtime period, before falling by a final score of 100-96.

It was great to see so many families at the game! I know a lot of great memories were made for our students that will last for a long time. It was a great time for my family and me as well. This was our son's first basketball game and although he had to leave at halftime due to his 8pm bedtime, I could tell by the look on his face that he enjoyed every minute (so much that he tried to run on the court every chance he got).

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

A Great Big Thank You to the LTEF

Hooray! LIS was very fortunate to receive grant funding from the Lawrence Township Education Foundation at last week's Board of Education meeting! The Foundation agreed to support our grant proposal "Fostering 21st Century Tech-Literate Students," that will begin next year, to the tune of $35,000!!! I had the opportunity to pitch our grant request to the LTEF board of trustees the week before and I am truly amazed at the level of support they showed our school.

Along with the Talent 21 grant existing in 6th grade, this opportunity will allow us to develop a comprehensive technology program at LIS that touches each child in the school. We are very excited to get to work on developing the program.

Congrats also goes to Lawrence High School as LTEF agreed to support their grant request for "The Career Academies" with a check for $10,000. Pictured with me from left to right include, David Roman- LHS Principal, Pepper Evans-LTEF President and Ivy Cohen-LTEF Executive Director.

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Coming Soon: Science and Inventions Fair


The 2nd annual Science and Inventions Fair will be taking place at LIS on Saturday, February 12, 2011. Last year, well over 100 LIS scientists and inventors were part of this inaugural event that was held at our school. It was a landmark event that allowed students and their families to get together in the name of science and fun. This year we are anticipating an even larger turnout! Registration will be open until January 14th. Please contact Mrs. Heller for more information at jheller@ltps.org. Good luck to all of our students!!

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

LIS Night at Rider U. Men's Basketball Game

We are happy to support the student-athletes at Rider University by attending the Men's basketball game next Friday (January 14th) at 7pm. We have worked with the both the men's and women's teams at Rider over the past few years and we are glad we can make it back to see them again this year.

Tickets for LIS students are free and adult tickets are $3.00. If for some reason you did not receive a permission slip, please contact your child's homeroom teacher. If you have any other questions, feel free to email Cindy Westhead at cwesthead@ltps.org.

LIS night at Rider has become somewhat of a tradition at our school. It is always a great time for students and their families to get together and cheer on our local team.
I am sure it will be a lot of fun. We hope you can make it

Monday, January 3, 2011

Gamestar Mechanic Comes to LIS!!

Dear 5th and 6th Grade Parents,

I am happy to announce that LIS will be piloting an innovative and exciting program this year with our 5th and 6th grade students. Gamestar Mechanic is a gaming development program designed to foster 21st century skills such as critical thinking, problem solving, creativity, collaboration, digital media literacy and a motivation for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) learning. All of these skills are increasingly important in our highly-networked, digital and rapidly evolving world.

The Gamestar program is an enrichment opportunity for our students to work on at home by connecting to the internet website http://ltps.gamestarmechanic.com. Students can learn how to develop electronic video games, publish these games as well as play and critique the games built by other LIS students. Students will be given their own username/password so they may be able to enter a closed network that only LIS students will be able to access. Our technology team will be able to monitor and manage student Gamestar accounts.

Gamestar Mechanic will operate in a similar fashion to Study Island, which is a web-based tutorial program LIS students have used at home for several years. During the month of February, we will hold a Family Game Night at LIS. In addition, we will be developing an after-school schedule for our technology lab, so students may work on game development after school. More information about both of these will be distributed at a later date.

While I do support this opportunity for students to develop these 21st century skills and I believe students can gain a lot from Gamestar Mechanic, I need to remind families that this is an enrichment program. There is nothing mandated about it and it is to be utilized only after classroom assignments have been completed.

I appreciate your support as we look to expand our learning opportunities for LIS students. If you have any questions, feel free to call me at school.

Sincerely,


Jonathan J. Dauber
Principal