October 20, 2023 Volume 11 Issue 8

Download the FREE Action for Happiness app for iOS or Android

• Gives you friendly nudges with an action idea each day
• Sends you inspiring messages to give you a boost

Helping Kids Cope with War- Resources from the School Culture and Climate Initiative

• NPR: "How to talk to children about the violence in Israel and Gaza"
• Learning for Justice: "Resources for Learning About Israel and Palestine"
• San Diego County Office of Education: "Resources for Educators, Families to Discuss the Events in Israel and Gaza with Students"
• Education Weekly: "How to Talk About the Israel-Hamas War: Resources for Educators"
• American Psychological Association: "Resilience in a time of war: Tips for parents and teachers of middle school children"
• Unicef: "How to talk to your children about conflict and war"
• Common Sense Media: "How to Talk to Kids About Violence, Crime, and War"
• NY Times: "The Israel-Gaza War: A Forum for Young People to React"

Atlantic Prevention Resources (APR) is sponsoring a FREE Educator Academy with Frank Kros. The webinars will cover a variety of topics on trauma responsive care, childhood adversity, substance misuse in and around a student, depression, anxiety, ADHD, etc. Frank Kros, MSW, JD, is a visionary child advocate, educator, and consultant with a deep commitment to trauma and resilience. Please view the flyers below for more information. Here is the link to register- www.capeassist.org/EducatorAcademy. APR will have access to the recordings for two months after each webinar. So, you could watch it later if that works better for your schedule, but you’d still need to register so APR could send the recording to you.

The article below contains specific actions to engage in that will make our time in schools better for adults and students.

If you need mental health, financial, legal, or other assistance, try out our new EAP. Your participation is totally confidential.

Learning Disabilities Teacher Consultant (LDT-C)

An LDT-C is an education specialist who serves on the Child Study Team. The LDT-C conducts learning evaluations and assesses students academic and educational strengths and needs. The LDT-C writes Individualized Educational Plans (IEPs) and part of the IEP team. The LDT-C serves as a case manager for special education students.

We are lucky to have three Learning Disabilities Teacher Consultants in our district.

• Toni Riccelli has been a special education teacher and an LDTC in our district for many years. She is a wealth of knowledge. This year she has spent time working in all 3 schools but is based at the Shaner School.
• Jessica Crawford has also been a special education teacher and LDTC in the district for quite a few years. Jess is currently on maternity leave with a return after the holiday break. Thelma Trego, retired LDTC from our district, has been filling in for Jess.
• This week, the newest member of our team started at the Hess School. Please welcome Amanda Petersen to our district. We are excited to have her join us!

"Data released in 2022 from the National Center for Education Statistics revealed 45% of U.S. public schools operated without a full teaching staff in October 2022, and special education teaching positions had the highest vacancy rates." NJSBA

If you receive a random moment email, please complete your moment the day it occurs. Many thanks for your assistance in this state mandated program. See below for more information.

There are a few ways you can accommodate and support your special education students in Exact Path! Here is a link to making Accommodations and Modifications in Exact Path. Many thanks to Jess Ward for putting this together. If you have any questions, please reach out to Jess- wardj@hamiltonschools.org.

Congratulations to our staff members of the month!

Shaner- Alex Gould

Hess- Sara Leonelli

Davies- Linda Clegg

Membership

Don't forget to join the PTA! For just $5 for the year, you can support our wonderful PTA! Click on this link - https://hamiltontownshippta.memberhub.com/store#.

Grants

Here is a link to the PTA Grant form:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeyq902otUMJT5nLl3ktAAetrQpfB01YVrLCAfAEUGgBrKTVQ/formResponse

Trunk or Treat

Come out and support the PTA! You can bring your own kids OR sponsor a trunk OR come out to interact with students and families!

The Hamilton Township School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, affectional or sexual orientation, ancestry, disability, age, or social or economic status in its programs and activities.

The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies:

Marylynn Stecher

Affirmative Action Officer

609-476-6313

stecherm@hamiltonschools.org

HAMILTON TOWNSHIP SCHOOL DISTRICT GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE

For further information on notice of nondiscrimination, visit https://ocrcas.ed.gov/contact-ocr for the address and phone number of the office that serves your area, or call 1-800-421-3481.

September 1, 2023

September 8, 2023

September 15, 2023

September 22, 2023

September 29, 2023

October 6, 2023

October 13, 2023