It's Fall, Y'All!

Happy fall! 🌰 🍂

The following Annual School Plan Goals will be a priority for the 2025-2026 school year:

Area of Focus #1: ELA

By June 2026, 31% students will show proficiency of grade level standards by achieving a score of “Meets Expectations” as measured by the Linkit Benchmark Assessment.

Area of Focus #2: SEL

90% of the staff will utilize the PBSIS goal of a 3:1 ratio of positive student-staff interaction for every one corrective action as documented through ClassDojo and teacher observations/walkthroughs.

Area of Focus #3: Math

By June 2026, 16.9% will show proficiency of grade level standards by achieving a score of “Meets Expectations” as measured by the LinkIt Benchmark assessment.

Area of Focus #4: Writing

50% of students will achieve a proficient score, “3” for grades 3-8 and a “2” for grades K-2, as measured by common rubric by the end of 2025-2026 school year.

The mission of the Lawnside School District is to educate our students, through mastery of the New Jersey Student Learning Standards(NJSLS), to become independent thinkers and problem solvers so they will be empowered to meet the challenges of and achieve success in tomorrow's emerging world community. The educational community will provide a safe, nurturing environment in which individual and civic responsibility is fostered and diversity is respected.

Oct. 13th- School Closed for Teacher In-Service

Oct. 14th- Fall Pictures

To create an account in Class Dojo please click this link!

https://www.classdojo.com/ul/p/addKid?target=school&schoolID=4eece7f8f64aa62934eddb0b

If you would NOT like us to showcase your child's academic excellence through
the use of photography, please fill out the form below. Please address envelope Attn: Technology Coordinator. Then drop it
off in the main office

If you are a graduate of the Lawnside Public School and would like submit your information to be highlighted in the newsletter, please send your submission to ronnjohnson@lawnside.k12.nj.us by the last day of the month.

"A'MyaLynn not only displays all ROARS traits, she has shown so much growth from the first day of school up until now. Her hand is always one of the first hands to go up and she doesn't mind lending a helping hand where needed." - Ms. Gibson

"Jerry has consistently been active and involved in class so far this year. He works hard and is extremely motivated to learn. Every day when it’s time to come in from recess, he’s the first student in line ready to go while some students continue to play past the bell. He also frequently helps remind his fellow peers and classmates to walk in the hallway." - Mrs. Yerkes

"Sarai has begun this school year on a positive note. She has shown improvement with attendance. Her positive attitude is showing that she is ready to learn every day." - Mr. Hoover

It is a pleasure for the Lawnside Historical Society to continue working with the Lawnside School
District for the new school year, as we did during 2024-2025.
Last school year, nearly 40 Lawnside educators attended professional development workshops on
teaching the Underground Railroad, in general, and the history of Lawnside. The Society owns the
Peter Mott House, which was built by the Rev. Peter Mott, a local agent of the UGRR, that secret
network used by freedom seekers escaping slavery.
Working with Mrs. Alyssa Miller, director of curriculum and instruction, Lawnside students toured the
Mott House where they previewed the Henry “Box” Brown exhibit. Later in the spring, students
enjoyed an assembly featuring the “Lest We Forget” Museum.
The Society is engaged in several research projects funded by the New Jersey Historical
Commission, the Camden County Cultural and Heritage Commission and the New Jersey Council for
the Humanities. Along Freedom’s Journey enhances the visit experience for all ages. The
Underground Railroad Virtual Reality project brings modern technology into the mix, enabling gamers
to help a family find their way to freedom in Snow Hill (19 th century Lawnside).
Sixth- through twelfth-graders can sign up for the youth docent program to learn how to guide tours of
the Mott House for visitors. Community service credits are available with this program.
Educators and parents are invited to join the Society and get involved doing research, genealogy, and
volunteering as Mott House guides and more.
October is Camden County History Month, and the Society plans these activities:
- Monthly meeting, Thursday, Oct. 9, 7 p.m. via Zoom: Museum Visionaries: Larry Miles of
Camden and Ralph Hunter, Sr. of the African American Heritage Museum of South New
Jersey, talk about the plans for the City of Camden and Atlantic City. Register for free at
www.petermotthouse.org/upcoming-events/
- Saturday, Oct. 11, 12:45 – 1:15 p.m. Plaque dedication at the Peter Mott House, 26 Kings
Court, Lawnside. Free admission and refreshments.
- Monday, Oct. 20, 6:30 p.m. Slavery, Abolition and the American Revolution featuring Dr.
Maurice Jackson of Georgetown University, Haddonfield Friends Meeting, 47 Friends Ave. In-
person or via Zoom, https://tinyurl.com/drmauricejackson
About the Lawnside Historical Society:
The Peter Mott House Underground Railroad Museum, 26 Kings Court, is open for tours on Saturdays
from 12 to 3 p.m. and by appointment on weekdays for school and community groups.
Admission: $10 for adults; $5 for students up to college undergraduates
Website: www.petermotthouse.org Email: lhs@petermotthouse.org Phone: 856-546-8850
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Submitted by Linda Shockley, President, Lawnside Historical Society

Dear Families and Community Members,

As October unfolds and autumn colors start to brighten our community, I'm filled with pride watching our students settle into the rhythm of a new school year. The energy and enthusiasm in our hallways are truly inspiring, and I want to share some of the wonderful things happening across our district.

Our teachers have worked tirelessly to create an engaging learning environment, and it shows. From hand on experiences in our lower elementary classrooms to research projects at the middle school level, students are diving deep into their studies. Our fall assessment data indicates progress among our students, reflecting the dedication of both our educators and families in supporting student learning.

October is a time for bringing our community together. Several activities will take place during the month including the beginning of our after school clubs and enrichment program. We would like to thank the families who attended our recent Back To School Night. Additional thanks goes to the volunteers who continue to support our various school programs. Your involvement makes all the difference in creating a supportive educational environment for our students.

As we navigate the school year, student safety and mental health continue to be a priority. We've continued with our social-emotional learning initiatives and offer supportive counseling services for students and families. Our school is not just place of academic learning, but where every student and their family should feel valued, supported, and safe.

As we move through the fall season, we have much to look forward to: our annual Veterans Day celebration, winter sports season beginning, and the excitement of the holiday season ahead. I encourage all families to stay engaged through our district website and Class Dojo platform for the latest updates and opportunities to get involved.

Thank you for entrusting us with your most precious gifts – your children. Together, we're building bright futures and creating lasting memories.

For more information about district programs and upcoming events, visit our website at www.lawnside.k12.nj.us or follow us on social media.

Please see the information below regarding Aid in Lieu Transportation. We hope this helps clarify any questions or concerns you have regarding the programs.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for aid in lieu of transportation, non public school students must:

1. Reside in a district which provides transportation to and from school for remote public school students.
   EXCEPTION: Nonpublic school transportation services are not required when the only transportation provided by the local board of education is for students attending special education, vocational/technical, or other specialized programs.
2. Reside remote from their school of attendance.The words, “remote from the schoolhouse” shall mean beyond two and one-half (2 ½) miles for high school students and beyond two (2) miles for elementary students, except for handicapped students. (NJAC 6A:27-1.2)
3. Attend a private school located in New Jersey twenty (20) miles or less fromtheir residence.
4. Attend a nonprofit private school.
5. Meet the age requirement of their resident district and be enrolled in grades kindergarten through 12.

NON PUBLIC SCHOOL RESPONSIBILITIES

It is the obligation of the non public school to:

1. Obtain the “Application for Private School Transportation” (B6T) forms from the public school district in which the nonpublic school is located.
2. Supply applications (B6T) to the parents/guardians of the students upon registration in the nonpublic school.
3. Annually collect the applications for transportation (B6T) and submit them to the Commission within 30 days of the student’s registration in the nonpublic school or by March 15th of the school year preceding the year for which transportation is being requested. Late applications shall be forwarded to the Commission upon receipt.
4. Certify on forms (B8T) prescribed by the Commissioner of Education that the named students were enrolled for the first and second semesters of the academic year. The forms (B8T) shall be returned to the Commission as prescribed by the Commission.
5. Submit the school calendar to the Commission by May 15th preceding the school year for which transportation is being requested.
6. Immediately notify the Commission when a student eligible for transportation has a change in address or withdraws from the nonpublic school.

Parent/Guardian Responsibilities

It is the obligation of a parent/guardian to:

1. Complete the “Application for Private School Transportation” (B6T) annually and submit it to the private school on or before March 10 preceding the school year for which transportation is being requested. Late applications: An application received after March 10 is a late application. Eligible students will receive transportation or aid in lieu of transportation based upon the date the application is received by the Commission. The Commission will notify the parent/guardian as to the determination of each application by August 1.
2. Submit a signed “Request for Payment of Transportation Aid” (B7T) voucher upon the Commission request.

If you have not already done so, please complete the Income Eligibility Form. We kindly request your cooperation in completing and returning this form to the school. We kindly urge every family to participate in this process, irrespective of their perception of eligibility. It's important to note that your school's funding is directly influenced by the number of applications submitted to the district. Put simply, a higher number of applications translates to increased funding for crucial programs. Thus, we strongly encourage you to take a moment to complete the application and have it returned to your child's teacher.

Greetings Lawnside Families,

The New Jersey State Learning Assessment scores are in district, and we have began the mailing process. There will be a public presentation of the NJSLA data on October 9, 2025 at 7:00pm in the Board Conference Room. All are welcome to attend. If there are any questions regarding your child's NJSLA scores please contact Mrs. Miller at amiller@lawnside.k12.nj.us.

New Jersey school districts, charter schools, and renaissance school projects are required by statute (N.J.S.A. 18A: 7C-6.6) to annually notify parents or guardians by October 1 of any additional statewide student assessment or commercially developed standardized assessments that will be administered over the course of the school year. If after October 1, it is decided that an additional commercially-developed standardized assessment will be administered, then the information shall be shared with parents as soon as possible (within 30 days of notification of any new statewide student assessment or commercially developed standardized assessment). If specific details are not yet available, districts may insert “To Be Determined” (“TBD”). Below is the standardized assessment schedule for the 2025-2026 school year.

The New Jersey Department of Education is rolling out the NJSLA-Adaptive test in Fall 2025, with a field test from October 27 to November 14, 2025. This new test format uses an adaptive algorithm to adjust question difficulty for each student, providing a more accurate measure of their skills. While field testing is open to all districts, it will be followed by the official Spring 2026 assessment, which is also in an adaptive format.

What is the NJSLA-Adaptive?

Adaptive Technology:

• Instead of a fixed set of questions, the NJSLA-Adaptive uses a computer-based algorithm to adjust the difficulty of questions based on a student's performance, similar to the new SAT.
• Alignment with Standards:
• The assessments will be aligned with the New Jersey Student Learning Standards (NJSLS) for English Language Arts and Mathematics.
• Goal:
• The goal is to provide a more accurate and meaningful assessment of student knowledge and skills.
• Key Dates for the 2025-2026 School Year
• Fall Field Test:October 27 – November 14, 2025.

• Spring 2026 Test:The official spring assessment is also in the adaptive format.
  • The window for Spring 2026 is from April 27 to May 22, 2026.

Student Reminders:

*Uniform colors are NAVY Blue( NO LIGHT BLUE), yellow, or white tops (shirts) and NAVY blue

bottoms(pants/skorts/dresses).

*Hoodies can be worn - same colors as the shirts.

*Crocs should be worn in sports mode & cannot be worn for gym class.

*Water bottles are only permitted in class with water ONLY!

*All students must sign-out when leaving the classroom and have a hall pass at all times.

Ms. Darlene Still, Board President- dstill@lawnside.k12.nj.us

Dr. Ronn Johnson, Superintendent- ronnjohnson@lawnside.k12.nj.us

Ms. Jennifer Johnson, School Business Administrator-jjohnson@lawnside.k12.nj.us

Mr. Mark Gordon, Assistant School Business Administrator- mgordon@lawnside.k12.nj.us

Mrs. Alyssa Miller, Director of Curriculum & Instruction- amiller@lawnside.k12.nj.us

Dr. Carmen Henderson, Director of Special Services- chenderson@lawnside.k12.nj.us

Ms. Niphon Kirk, Assistant Principal- nkirk@lawnside.k12.nj.us

Ms. ShaNell Wilson, Technology Coordinator- swilson@lawnside.k12.nj.us