LPS Spotlight

AND JUST LIKE THAT, the General departed!

The LPS community's tribute to America's 250th earlier this month was a resounding success, and while George Washington (who was brought to life at LHS by re-enactor Curt Radabaugh) may have marched away, the pride and patriotism of Livingston remain strong. Scroll down for more info and photos from the event!

• Public Hearing & Vote on School Budget TONIGHT

• District Budget Planning Info

• Public Budget Forum Recap

• Celebrating America's 250th: A Night of Unity

• LPS Elementary & Middle Schools Recognized

• Lancer Jazz Band Places 3rd in State

• Wildcats Take the Stage at HMS

• One District, One Voice

• "Student Perspectives" AP Art Show

• Staff News: April is School Bus Driver Appreciation Day

The Livingston Board of Education will hold a public meeting tonight, Tuesday, April 28, 2026 (7PM) at the Central Office, 11 Foxcroft Drive. Tonight's meeting includes a public hearing and vote on the 2026-2027 School Budget.

Tonight's meeting will be held in a hybrid format during which participants will have the ability to ask questions and make comments either in person or via the webinar. Register for the webinar using the link below. The meeting will also be livestreamed on the district's Facebook page, @LivSchools.

✅VIEW AGENDA: April 28, 2026 (7PM)

✅ REGISTER FOR WEBINAR: April 28, 2026 (7PM)

Thank you to everyone who attended our Public Budget Forums on April 23, 2026. We appreciate the community’s active engagement and the thoughtful questions raised regarding the 2026-2027 School Budget.

To ensure all residents have access to this information, we have compiled the following summary of the key questions and answers discussed during the sessions. We hope this resource clarifies information and provides a transparent look at the district’s financial planning for the year ahead.

On Wednesday, April 8th, the Livingston community gathered at LHS for a truly special event, "America’s Semiquincentennial: What Unites Us." The evening served as a beautiful tribute to the nation’s history and the vibrant local spirit that defines the township. Through patriotic melodies and engaging local history lessons, students and community leaders highlighted the enduring power of unity.

The program featured musical performances by the LHS Chamber Singers & Notations, the Hillside Elementary Orchestra, and the Mount Pleasant Middle School Green Band. History was brought to life by re-enactor Curt Radabaugh as George Washington, who shared insights into the Revolutionary War in New Jersey, while the LPS Oral History Project and "The Matchbox Diaries" showcased personal stories the LPS community. The event also included special messages from state dignitaries, including Governor Mikie Sherrill, and more! The festivities wrapped up with a community-wide sing-a-long of "This Land is Your Land!"

LPS extends a sincere thank you to the Livingston Education Association for co-sponsoring the evening, and to the Township Council, Board of Education, and Livingston Public Library for their ongoing support.

Common Sense, the national nonprofit organization dedicated to helping kids and families navigate the world of media and technology, has recognized all Livingston Public Schools elementary and middle schools as Common Sense Schools.

All have demonstrated their commitment to taking a whole-community approach to preparing students to think critically and use technology responsibly to learn, create, and participate while preparing them for the challenges that exist in the online realm, such as plagiarism, loss of privacy, and cyberbullying. READ MORE...

Livingston High School's Ecolancers team rose to the occasion at this year’s Shell Ecomarathon competition. After becoming one of the few teams to clear all ten rigorous technical inspections in the first day and a half of the competition, the crew faced a series of mechanical hurdles, including fuel line issues and a starter system failure. Under the leadership of chief engineers Aden Sun and Joe Wells, the team utilized CAD technology and 3D printing to innovate repairs on the fly. The team's persistence culminated in a seamless final track run with driver Siddh Shah at the wheel and Cole Green managing driver communications and strategy. The team earned a remarkable 9th-place overall finish with an efficiency of 297.2 MPG, placing them on the leaderboard alongside prestigious institutions such as BYU and UMass Amherst. Go Lancers!!

Livingston High School is proud to announce its first-ever Girls Chess Gathering on Friday, May 8, 2026. This landmark event is open to all skill levels, from beginners to advanced players.

The gathering will take place in the LHS Cafeteria (Door 22) from 4:30 PM to 7:00 PM. Participants can look forward to an afternoon of:

• Casual Play: A relaxed environment to practice and meet other players.

• Tactics Competition: A chance to test your strategic skills.

• Community Building: Connecting with fellow female chess enthusiasts at LHS.

The event is free of charge. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER. Students can also register by scanning the QR codes on the flyer which has been posted throughout the building at LHS. For any additional questions, please contact wpeklo@gmail.com.

On Saturday, April 25, the Livingston High School Lancer Jazz Band made history by placing 3rd at the NJAJE Division 1 State Finals at JP Stevens HS. After outperforming over 50 bands during the March preliminaries to secure a spot in the top nine, the Lancers climbed from last year’s 6th-place finish to their first-ever podium appearance. In addition to the bronze trophy, the group earned the award for Best Trumpet Section, notably beating out perennial state powerhouses.

The band’s dynamic set began with "The Mad Hatter Rides Again," followed by the Sammy Nestico ballad "Samantha," which featured senior alto saxophonist Ethan Julius. To close the performance, senior vocalist Parth Jain led the group in a rendition of "Luck Be a Lady." This milestone achievement was witnessed by a strong contingent of Lancer Jazz alumni who attended to support the program’s historic night.

The Lancer Jazz Band includes Ethan Julius and Safal Bhetwal (Alto Saxophone); Derek Wagener and Ryan Chen (Tenor Saxophone); Ethan Yang (Baritone Saxophone); Brandon Shyu, Ian Koff, Jerry Ji and Wesley Yang (Trombone); Connor Li, Jacob Woodlee, Jaden Tang and Evan Roth (Trumpet); Corey Sklar (Bass); Henry Tang (Piano); Charle Budzinski (Guitar); Jacob Julius and

Kevin Guo (Drums); and Parth Jain (Vocalist).

Heritage Middle School recently brought the house down with their high-energy production of Disney’s High School Musical Jr. Students transported audiences to the halls of East High, expertly navigating the friendships, social labels, and "status quo" of middle school life through iconic songs and vibrant choreography.

The cast and crew delivered a heartfelt celebration of teamwork and self-expression across three packed performances on April 17 and 18. From the soaring ballads to the show-stopping dance numbers, the spirit of the Wildcat crew was on full display. We are proud of the hard work and dedication the HMS performers poured into this crowd-pleasing production!

LPS recently presented its 48th Annual All-Township Music Festival!

This year was extra special as the district debuted a brand-new format at Livingston High School's Fitness & Wellness Center. In the past, groups performed in separate shifts, but this year, educators brought everyone together for one complete concert. For the first time, LPS elementary, middle, and high school musicians got to sit in the audience and inspire one another, watching the full progression of the district's music program from start to finish.

Nearly 500 talented musicians took the stage united through a historic theme as LPS celebrated America's 250th anniversary!

Thank you to the teachers, parents, and students who made this massive undertaking a success!

Our annual Livingston High School AP Art Show, "Student Perspectives," was a resounding success! We are so proud of the incredible talent displayed by our students at Town Hall.

The exhibit, sponsored by the Arts Council of Livingston (ACL), featured a stunning variety of work, including AP Photography, Digital Imaging, Studio Art, Ceramics, and 3D Designs. Thank you to everyone in the community who stopped by to view these unique perspectives and support our student artists.

Livingston Public Schools is proud to announce that Livingston High School business teacher Hal Mordkoff has been honored by the Council for Economic Education (CEE) with the Teacher Award for Excellence in Economic and Financial Education.

This prestigious national recognition is awarded to educators who demonstrate a commitment to providing students with the essential tools to navigate a complex global economy. By fostering a deep understanding of economic principles and personal finance, Mr. Mordkoff has empowered countless students to make informed, lifelong financial decisions.

The award highlights Mr. Mordkoff’s innovative approach to the curriculum and his ability to make high-level economic concepts both accessible and engaging for his students. His leadership within the LHS Business Department continues to elevate the district’s reputation for academic excellence and career readiness.

Congratulations to Mr. Mordkoff on this achievement!

School bus driver appreciation day is Tuesday, April 28, 2026!

Along with the NJ Office of School Bus Safety, Livingston Public Schools would like to recognize the district's school bus drivers and bus aides for their hard work and dedication to the job. Thank you for keeping all our students safe during the transportation process!

Visit our Employment Opportunities webpage to learn more about available positions at Livingston Public Schools.

Interested and qualified applicants are invited to apply via our online application. Our administrative staff will be reviewing resumes and contacting those individuals who they feel will best meet the needs of the positions we have available at this time. Some screening will be conducted over the phone, and some interviews will be in person and others will take place online using online platforms. Since we have many positions available, we are not able to return phone calls regarding open positions or status of applications.

➡️ CLICK HERE or search "Livingston Public Schools" on LinkedIn and "Follow" us today!

Livingston Public Schools is committed to providing students with excellent educational experiences for students of all ages this summer! The district is pleased to offer a variety of summer programs designed to help students reach their full potential through personalized teacher guidance and additional "time on task." Course Offerings include Remedial Courses (Online Only), Bridge Courses, Enrichment Courses and Math/English Enrichment (LHS)

Click here to view the 2026 LPS Summer Academy Brochure!

The safety of our students and staff is our highest priority. We have recently installed Blue Light Safety Beacons at the primary entry points of every school building to provide an immediate visual alert during a lockdown or emergency drill.

If you see a flashing blue light upon arrival, a lockdown is in progress. Please follow these mandatory steps:

• Do Not Attempt to Enter: Entry points must remain secured for school and law enforcement use.

• Move Away From the Building: Immediately retreat to a safe distance or return to your vehicle.

• Wait for Clearance: Do not approach until the lights are deactivated or you receive official notification.

• Do Not Call the School: Phone lines must remain clear for emergency coordination.

Notifications: For mandated drills, the principal will email the school community. In a real emergency, updates will be sent via our mass notification system. Permanent signage is located next to each beacon for quick reference. These tools ensure visitors do not unknowingly enter a sensitive situation, allowing responders to focus entirely on safety.

In compliance with New Jersey State Law (NJ S4654), which went into effect on March 1, 2026, Livingston Public Schools has launched a new official repository for all mandated legal notices.

This change is designed to provide the LPS community with streamlined, centralized access to district public notices in one convenient location. We encourage parents and community members to visit our website to stay informed and view the latest updates. Click here to view the district's Legal Notices page.

Kindergarten registration for the 2026-2027 school year is now open. Registration for all other grades begins on May 1, 2026. CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION.

Livingston Public Schools strives to respond to concerns and/or questions as quickly and effectively as possible. In a school system, as in any organization, the “chain of command” refers to communication levels of authority in the school district. The philosophy behind the chart in the link below is to refer community members to those people in the organization who can best solve any concerns or questions that may arise, and then direct them to the appropriate people if issues are not able to be effectively addressed at the first level.

VIEW "PROCESS FOR ADDRESSING PARENT CONCERNS"

Each year leading into Memorial Day weekend, Livingston High School (LHS) hosts a meaningful program for upperclassmen that honors the military sacrifices of Livingston residents: our LHS Silent Service program. In collaboration with the Livingston VFW Post, LHS is looking to expand participation in the program and invites members of the Livingston community who are currently serving, or have served, in any branch of the United States military and are interested to be part of this program please scan the QR code and complete the form. This year, the Silent Service program will be at LHS on Friday, May 22, 2026 at 8:30 a.m. If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Dawn Feeley, LHS 7-12 Social Studies Supervisor (DFeeley@livingston.org) and Mrs. Sinéad Crews, LPS K-12 Director of School Counseling (SCrews@livingston.org).

Click here to learn more about the Livingston Police Department's Junior Police Academy!

The Livingston Public Library has something for everyone! Learn more about the library HERE.

LTV, Livingston, NJ's community access television channel, can be found on cable television via Comcast (Channel 34) and Verizon (Channels 26 and 28). Additionally, LTV can now be found online at www.LivingstonTV.org, which provides a live stream of the cable channel plus numerous shows available to watch ON-DEMAND! LTV is operated by the Livingston Public Broadcasting Committee, a group of volunteers (adults and high school students) who recognize all the good that Livingston has to offer; have an interest in television programming, production, operations and marketing; and give their time toward promoting local information, entertainment, and education to all members of the Livingston community!

VIEW CURRENT LTV SCHEDULE

LPS Spotlight

2025-2026 School Year / No. 14

Michelle Bent

Manager of Communications

Livingston Public Schools

(973) 535-8000 ext. 8036

Email: mbent@livingston.org

www.livingston.org

LPS Spotlight is the official e-newsletter of the Livingston Public Schools.

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