Welcome Back Newsletter

Great Schools Have Great Libraries

Great libraries sit at the center of thriving schools, sparking curiosity, critical thinking, and a lifelong love of learning. Beyond quiet rooms filled with books, our libraries serve as active hubs for research, innovation, digital literacy, and collaboration. Learn more about what is taking place in our media centers, meet our specialists, and check out the latest district updates in this Welcome Back newsletter.

Sincerely,

Dr. Anne Mucci, Superintendent of Schools

Media Specialist, Ms. Kristen Luettchau

The Morristown High School Library is proud to present its new graphic novel and manga shelving, as well as a modernized nonfiction section. Additional updates in the library include expansions to narrative nonfiction and memoir. Students will continue to access and use the library databases, as well as print materials, throughout the upcoming school year, developing their media literacy and research skills.

Media Specialist, Mr. Keith Rosso

Mr. Rosso is ready for another fantastic year filled with reading, learning, collaboration, and team teaching. He’s kicking off the school year with a Summer Reading Bookmark Contest, inspiring students to celebrate different cultures, friendship and community, characters who inspire us, and so much more.

Media Specialist Ms. Alisa Camacho

Wellness is front and center in the Alfred Vail Media Center this year. Students can recharge in cozy reading corners, enjoy Snoopy's soft jazz playlists, drop a note at the kind message station, or stretch out with Disney character yoga.

Media Specialist, Ms. Meaghan Cimring

Media Specialist, Ms. Teddie Salas

This school year, the Hillcrest library continues to evolve as a dynamic hub for learning, creativity, and community. The library is integrating new district technologies to boost student engagement while launching innovative services to support teachers. Exciting upcoming initiatives include peer leadership literacy activities and themed reading challenges. Through collaboration, exploration, and a shared love of reading, the library team aims to inspire every student to learn, discover, and connect.

Media Specialist, Ms. Sarah Mahony

Starting her second year as Normandy Park’s Media Specialist, Sarah Mahony is excited to spark students' imaginations by bringing fairy tales and classic storytelling into the K-5 curriculum and to support school themes. The library continues to add vibrant new books alongside its popular Book Vending Machine, which houses student favorites to keep reading fun and engaging. Ms. Mahony is also placing a strong focus on Digital Citizenship and tech skills to help learners navigate the digital world safely, responsibly, and creatively.

Media Specialist, Ms. Christine Kelly

Sussex Library continues to offer students exciting Makerspace projects this school year, fostering hands-on peer collaboration and giving students the opportunity to share their work with the broader school community. In the fall, fourth graders are building wooden craft stick birdhouses to place in the newly planted trees at the front of the school, followed by a second project creating marble runs out of cereal boxes. Fifth graders will host their popular cardboard arcade event in January to coincide with STEM Night, while third graders will wrap up the year in the spring by designing "mini-golf in a box" courses that the entire school can play during a Sussex spirit assembly.

Media Specialist, Ms. Melissa Antolovich

The Thomas Jefferson School Library is gearing up for an exciting new school year with fresh updates designed to empower student readers. Updates to physical library signage and the online library catalog will make it easier for students to independently find book series, favorite authors, and materials tailored to their research needs and personal interests. Alongside these navigational improvements, the library program will continue challenging students to become creative, independent thinkers who can tackle challenges both individually and collaboratively. Above all, grounded in responsible digital citizenship, the library's primary focus will be kindness, with students practicing kind intentions across all activities, from caring for physical materials like books and Chromebooks to treating classmates and teachers with respect.

Media Specialist, Ms. Anne Piascik

To help promote the Morristown Festival of Books, students will dive into a special author study on Dan Gutman, who is set to be a featured author at the upcoming October festival.

Over the summer, our Buildings and Grounds team did a fantastic job preparing and refreshing every school for a successful opening day. Director of Facilities Glenn Miller will present a full update on these capital improvements at the September 28 Board of Education meeting.

Summer Project Highlights:

Through a Trees for Schools grant, the Morris School District and the Morristown Shade Tree Commission teamed up last spring to plant 346 new trees across four school campuses. Sussex Avenue, Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton, and Frelinghuysen Middle schools are already turning bare lawns and pathways into cooler, greener spaces for students to learn and play. As these young trees mature, they will provide vibrant, shaded outdoor spaces for generations to come.

To celebrate this successful partnership, the Shade Tree Commission has created a booklet highlighting the progress and impact on our schools.

What happens when you tear down the financial barriers standing between ambitious students and high-level academics? Morristown High School just redefined what is possible.

By making Advanced Placement courses fully accessible through free testing and dedicated review spaces like our AP Collaboration Hub, our students delivered historic numbers in 2026:

• 1,124 total exams taken with a 97% test-day participation rate.

• 80% overall pass rate for students completing AP coursework.

• 52% of graduating seniors earned college credit while still in high school.

• 4.29 average score on the AP English Literature exam, representing an extraordinary achievement on a 5-point scale.

• 4.0 average score & 100% participation in AP Chemistry.

• 100% participation in AP Calculus BC, with MHS scores surpassing both New Jersey and global averages.

• 100% participation in AP Music Theory, AP 2D Art & Design, and AP Drawing among all enrolled students.

Congratulations to our hardworking students and dedicated staff for proving that high standards paired with strong support lead to incredible results.

As we launch the new school year, the safety and well-being of our students, families, and staff remain our highest priority. Under the leadership of District Safety and Operations Manager Harry Ruiz, our School Safety and Security Department is dedicated to ensuring a secure, supportive environment across all schools. Please view the following safety tips from Mr. Ruiz.

SCHOOL SAFETY: It's Everyone's Responsibility

• Look out for one another and report any concerning behavior.

• Be respectful, kind, and inclusive.

• Use technology and social media responsibly.

• "If you see something, say something": Report suspicious activity to a trusted adult immediately.

• Take care of your mental and physical health.

SAFE TRAVELS: Getting to and from School Safely

• Walk with caution and use crosswalks.

• Follow traffic rules and be aware of your surroundings.

• Practice safe bus behavior: Stay seated and follow the driver's directions.

• Wear a helmet when biking and ride defensively.

• Plan ahead for changing weather and allow extra time when needed.

Event Details

• When: October 12

• Where: Alexander Hamilton Auditorium

• Time: 7:00–9:00 PM

We will be hosting Board of Education Attorney David B. Rubin for a hybrid workshop. During this interactive session, you will get a clear, straightforward breakdown of HIB policies, actionable tools to support your child at home, and the opportunity to get your questions answered live.

Event Details

• Date: October 7

• Time: 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM

• Location: Morristown High School Auditorium or Virtual

Coffee with the Superintendent returns for 2026–2027. Join us for coffee and open conversation, either in person or virtually, at the Morristown High School Media Center. Translation services will be provided.

Event Details

• Thursday, October 15 at 7:00 PM

• Thursday, December 3 at 9:00 AM

• Tuesday, February 9 at 7:00 PM

• Wednesday, April 14 at 9:00 AM

Presented by the Morris School District in partnership with the Education Association of Morris (TEAM)

How much screen time is healthy for elementary students, and how do we manage it without the stress? Discover solutions at the upcoming screening of Screenagers: Elementary School Age Edition. This special presentation equips families and educators with actionable tips for digital citizenship, healthy boundaries, and supporting young learners in a tech-driven world.

Event Details

When: Thursday, October 22, 2026

Where: Morristown High School Auditorium

Time: 6:00-8:30

We invite members of the community to join our monthly Board of Education Meetings, held at Morristown High School in the Learning Commons at 7:30 PM. View the full meeting schedule and catch up on past meetings by viewing our MSD On Air YouTube Channel.

The Morris School District is committed to building a comprehensive approach to wellness for students and parents alike. To ensure our programs are accessible and directly address the needs of our community, we need your input. Please take a few minutes to complete a short, anonymous wellness survey to share your valuable feedback.

On Tuesday, September 15, voters will decide on a $158.4M bond referendum to modernize all 10 district schools. Approval secures $46.4 million in state aid, funding available only through an approved referendum.

Get Informed Before You Vote:

Visit our Referendum Website to explore the tax impact calculator, watch our video library, and view full voter details. Have a question? Reach out directly to morrisfuture@msdk12.net.

Election Day Details:

Date: Tuesday, September 15

Poll Hours: 6:00 AM - 8:00 PM

Visit the Voter Information Page for additional details.

Every vote counts. Mark your calendar and cast your ballot on September 15.