LION'S ROAR
Summer 2025
The rainbow after LHS Graduation 2025:
Credits to: Elizabeth DiAntonio & Andrea O'Hagan.
Save the date! We will welcome our staff and community for this exciting event!
2025 - 2026 Lindenwold School District:
Early Childhood Center (ECC): Grades Preschool, Kindergarten, 1st Grade
Principal: Mr. Jeffrey Patterson
Assistant Principal: Ms. Melanie Martin
School 4: 2nd Grade, 3rd Grade
Principal: Dr. Martinez-Preyor
School 5: 4th Grade, 5th Grade
Principal: Ms. Dana Lawrence
LMS: 6th Grade - 8th Grade
Principal: Mr. Joe Tabasco
Assistant Principal: Ms. Dana Rivas
Assistant Principal: Mr. Ryan Strothers
LHS: 9th Grade – 12th Grade
Principal: Mr. Fred Geardino
Assistant Principal: Mr. Ron DiMattia
Assistant Principal: Ms. Dina Holmes
We believe our new district organizational model—especially at the upper grade levels—will better support staff and students by encouraging self-directed, positive decision-making and strengthening the overall management of student discipline. By bringing students together as one unified community from the very beginning, we aim to help them internalize key lessons around self-regulation and social-emotional learning from the start of their educational journey.
You, our Lindenwold families, have shared that student interactions are a priority. While we know we cannot do this alone, we are committed to partnering with you to uphold the highest standards of student behavior. We’ve taken meaningful steps to adopt more restorative Codes of Conduct while maintaining accountability. We’ve also expanded our work with the Positive Behavior Supports Model and embraced the Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) framework to meet a range of student behavioral needs.
Throughout the school year, the District will closely monitor data to evaluate the impact of these efforts. While we are optimistic, our commitment remains steady—we will keep you informed and engaged as we assess our progress together.
We hope you're enjoying a fun and restful start to summer! To support your child’s continued learning, we’ve sent home three printed Summer Learning Packets with each student:
Summer Reading Log
Phonics Activities
Math Project Packet
These resources are designed to help keep your child’s reading and math skills sharp. Without regular practice, students can experience the “summer slide,” but just a little weekly review can make a big difference!
We’re encouraging all students to complete and return their packets to their new teacher in September. Completed packets will be rewarded with a special celebration when school resumes!
Let’s work together to help your child’s brain grow this summer—alongside all the fun and play!
If you need to reprint any packet, use the links below:
Also, Click Here to Access ESL Resources to support students and families!
Thank you for your continued support. Have a safe and joyful summer!
Summer Letters Mailed: You should receive your mailing during the week of 8/20. (If you have not received your mailing by TUESDAY AUG. 26th, please contact your child’s school.)
Bus Passes will be shared by 8/26/25 (If you have not received yours by MONDAY, SEPT. 2ND, please contact your child’s school.)
Preschool, School 4, & School 5:
The District does not have a required school supply list for OUR ELEMENTARY students. The District will provide students with all necessary school supplies such as: folders, crayons, pencils, etc. for students in Preschool, School 4, and School 5.
Families may wish to purchase backpacks and lunch boxes. The District also receives donations of backpacks, too, which may be shared with students. If you are in need of a bookbag for your child, please contact your child’s school. We are happy to assist you.
SECONDARY INSTRUCTIONAL SUPPLIES:
While the District does not require specific supplies, individual teachers may occasionally request particular items in a summer mailing or on their classroom websites. This is uncommon, but if a specific supply is needed, the teacher will ensure that it is clearly communicated to families."
September 3rd
ECC Community Grand Opening (4:30 pm)
September 4th:
Preschool Back-to-School/Open House (6pm)
September 5th
Grade 9 Orientation (9:45 am)
September 8th
First day of school for all students
September 11th
ECC (Grades K & 1) Open House
September 16th
School 4 (Grades 2 & 3) Open House
September 23rd
School 5 (Grades 4 & 5) Back-to-School Open House
September 24th:
LMS Back-to-School Open House
September 25th:
LHS Back-to-School Open House
Twilight Back-to-School Open House
Our non-uniform dress code is no longer a pilot and the Board of Education has approved a first reading of this policy for the 2025 - 2026 school year.
We thank our entire community for working with us as students transitioned from a school uniform policy . Please see the below webpage for more information.
The following are some key items NOT permitted:
- Pajama pants are not permitted to be worn during the school day.
- Shirts must cover one's back and abdomen region. Crop tops are not permitted to be worn during the school day.
- Hoodies, head wraps, and hats may not be worn in school during the school day. (This is a school safety issue as we do need to see everyone's full faces when in a school building.)
We need your support in reinforcing our expectations regarding electronic and wireless devices, which have become increasingly disruptive and raise safety concerns both in Lindenwold and in schools across the country. Your partnership is vital in promoting a focused and respectful learning environment.
Grades PK–8:
Students may not have personal electronic devices (e.g., cell phones, smart watches, AirPods) visible or in use during the school day, beginning the moment they step onto school property. Devices must remain off and stored in backpacks or lockers.
· Students will receive one directive to put their device away. After that, the device will be confiscated, secured in the main office, and returned only to a parent or guardian. Devices will not be returned directly to students.
· Refusal to turn over a device will be considered insubordination. If you prefer not to support this process, we ask that all devices be kept at home. By allowing your child to bring a device to school, you agree to follow these expectations.
Grades 9 – 12:
· LHS will follow a more student-guided protocol. For more information, please access the following documents on the Lindenwold High School website.
2025 – 2026 LHS Wireless Device Procedure (English)
2025 – 2026 LHS Wireless Device Procedure (Spanish)
Grades PK–12:
Students are not permitted to make personal phone calls during the school day without administrative approval. Parents may not use Facetime or other video-call features to contact their child during the actual school day as students are not permitted to answer it. Not only are there Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) concerns, students should not have their phones accessible. In addition, students may not use personal devices to record or photograph others during the school day. Only designated staff or trained student photographers may take school-related group photos for approved purposes, such as school events, educational experiences, or district positive PR communications. Any student who records or shares photos/videos of others for entertainment, to communicate a threat, for or for the purposes of bullying, harassment, or humiliation will face disciplinary action per the Code of Conduct. These actions can cause emotional and even physical harm and will not be tolerated. We appreciate your partnership in helping us create a safe, respectful, and distraction-free school environment.
The District's Safety Specialist, Ms. Adrienne McManis, has continued her dedicated focus on the safety of our staff and students throughout the Lindenwold School District. You can reach her using this email address: amcmanis@lindenwold.k12.nj.us.
Please take some time to review the below important safety measures:
Identification:
One measure will include the requirement that ALL students, staff, approved guests, and substitutes are required to wear a school issued ID each day. Students in grades 4 - 12 will be required to wear their ID on a lanyard every day and our elementary student IDs will be secured to their backpacks.
Grade 4 through high school students will receive a temporary ID on the first day of school in homeroom. Permanent IDs will be provided following school picture days, which will occur later in the fall. They will be required to WEAR their ID tag lanyard each day.
Food Delivery Services (Door Dash, Uber Eats, etc.)
Food delivery services will be denied access and will be turned away from any of our schools during normal business hours. Please be aware, if this results in a loss of student money, the student assumes that risk. This is a violation of school district safety procedures.
Side Door Access:
Students opening side doors for unauthorized guests (family or friends) and food delivery services will receive consequences aligned to compromising the safety of our staff and students within the building.
Elementary First Day of School Information:
Elementary Students will be mailed a name tag in their “Welcome Back to School” informational mailing in late August. Mailings will take place around 8/20 and you should receive your information no later than 8/26. Students will then receive their permanent ID tag which will be connected to their book bag on the first day of school. Please leave this tag connected to your child’s bookbag for the entire year, as it will assist in the dismissal process each day.
Grade 4 - High School Information:
ALL grade 4 - 12 students will be required to wear their IDs starting on day 1 of school, September, 8th. This visual identifier will help school staff quickly know who has been approved to be inside our schools as well as on our school property. Bus drivers will also require these IDs to properly identify students on their bus.
Head Coverings:
Students may NOT wear hoods or head coverings (hats, ball caps, fashion hats, head wraps, etc.) of any kind during the school day. Head coverings compromise our ability to visually identify students / staff/ guest faces on our camera system. Disregarding this guideline is considered a violation of student/staff/school safety procedures. (Exception: A religious exemption regarding head coverings will be granted; however, documentation and a meeting with administration will be required prior to receiving an approval.)
Note: Often students prefer a head covering when he/she is in need of a hair cut. PLEASE contact the school if you need assistance in this area. We have resources that can assist. We want ALL of our students to feel comfortable and good about themselves.
Please review the District information regarding the Harrasment, Intimidation, and Bullying Reporting Process (HIB). Reports may be shared with ANY District Staff Member; however, the following individuals are always available to assist you:
Dr. Kristin P O'Neil - Superintendent
ECC Principal:
JPatterson@lindenwold.k12.nj.us
School 4 Principal:
Smartinez-preyor@lindenwold.k12.nj.us
School 5 Principal:
DLawrence@lindenwold.k12.nj.us
LMS Principal:
LHS Principal:
FGeardino@lindenwold.k12.nj.us
Amber Callow: Community & Inclusion Coordinator / District HIB Specialist
agresik-callow @lindenwold.k12.nj.us
All complaints & concerns are taken very seriously and thoroughly investigated.
The District utilizes the STOP IT APP & STOP IT Website to permit members of our community (family, friends, students, etc.) report concerns anonymously. All anonymous reports are shared with District administration upon submission. You do NOT have to identify yourself by name or community affiliation when reporting a situation.
Access to this information is found on our main webpage. You can also use this link:
