Dear Glen Rock Employees, Parents/Guardians, Students and Community Members,
It has been my pleasure to serve as your superintendent of schools these past four years. Working with the Glen Rock Board of Education for the betterment of the students, families, and community at large, has been rewarding, challenging and exciting! One of my earliest mentors once told me that “if no one ever disagrees with you, you have not said much of anything.” This simple phrase has remained with me since my undergraduate days when I first entered the teaching profession. Whether we were debating an important educational program or personnel matter, the intellectual debate and discourse during my tenure in the district has provided me with an enriched professional experience.
Joining the Glen Rock Public Schools has taught me that with broad support, and commitment to excellence, students will benefit for years to come. I am very proud of the collective efforts of administrators, teachers, and support staff members who championed district initiatives and initiated new programs. I would like to highlight a few of the initiatives we have accomplished over these past four years and some that are planned for next year:
District-wide initiatives:
- Successful multi-year contract negotiations
- Facility security upgrades and enhancements to our district plan
- Completion of the referendum high school field and court projects
- Refurbished Coleman School softball field
- Launch of the Glen Rock Professional Development Academy
- Development of a multi-year Technology Plan
- Development of a three year Communication Plan
- Expanded communication initiatives: super sessions, school and superintendent Twitter accounts, and Facebook fan page: Facebook.com/GRBOE
- Community Showcase
- Board/Borough Collaborations
- New and enhanced website – will launch January 1, 2018
- Learning Management System (replaces School Fusion) – will launch January 1, 2018
- Superintendent Book Study and guest speakers
- Journey to Somewhere for balance and wellness
- 5YSP: Five Year Strategic Plan
High School:
- Rotating block schedule
- 2017 – 2018 one to one laptop program for grades 9 – 12
- Upgrades to the shared courtyard with a very generous private donation and MS/HS Home & School Association financial support
- Sustainable NJ grant applications and initiatives
- Expanded electives, dual enrollment course work and clubs; recognition on the 6th annual College Board AP Honor Roll
- Curriculum revisions to Spanish, Math, Fine, Visual and Performing Arts
Middle School:
- MakerSpace, STEEM Day and Technology initiatives
- Review of the Fine, Visual and Performing Arts curriculum
- New Grade 7 curriculum brochure
- Science Olympiad club
- Media Center Maker space
- Field Trips, Poetry Slam and talent show
Elementary Schools:
- Full Day Kindergarten established 2016
- Additional 2017 – 2018 teaching positions for Full Day Kindergarten (1) and World Language (2)
- Teacher training in Math, Language Arts Literacy and Google
- Review of the Fine, Visual and Performing Arts curriculum
- New Social Studies and World Language curriculums
- Expanded coding to the Grade 5 STEEM program
The Glen Rock Board of Education has worked diligently to prepare a fiscally sound and prudent 2017 – 2018 budget aimed at accomplishing district goals. I am proud of the work completed by the 5YSP ad hoc committee and proud of the administrative leadership input to that plan.
Thank you for the opportunity to have served as superintendent of the Glen Rock Public Schools. I believe that our collaborative efforts have garnered demonstrable results and I am encouraged by the collaborative efforts of the school district and the Borough of Glen Rock; good things await the future. My door is open through June 30 for those who may want to stop in and talk about the district; please contact my administrative assistant, Mrs. Ryan, by calling: (201) 445-7700 (x8950).
Sincerely,
Paula Valenti, Ed. D.
Superintendent of Schools
** This is a letter that was sent out this morning. BTN wanted to ensure that residents and alum saw it.
