HTSD Student and Staff Services
Believe We Can...Together
January 5, 2024 Volume 11 Issue 16
Health and Wellness
Practicing the Nurtured Heart Approach
Many thanks to Andrew for sharing and Nurturing Our Hearts!
Don't Underestimate Yourself
Don't underestimate yourself. You have the ability to wake up. You have the ability to be compassionate. You just need a little bit of practice to be able to touch the best that is in you. Enlightenment, mindfulness, understanding, and compassion are in you. Very simple practices such as meditative walking, mindful breathing, or even washing the dishes mindfully...make it possible for you to leave your current pain or suffering and touch the positive seeds within you.
Everyone Will Benefit
If we are not happy, if we are not peaceful, we can't share peace and happiness with others, even those we love, those who live under the same roof. If we are peaceful, if we are happy, we can smile and blossom like a flower and everyone in our family, our entire society, will benefit from our peace.
Social Emotional Learning
"Self-regulation skills are one of the biggest keys for success for students in the classroom. These are some of the skills that help students focus during lessons, wait their turn to share in group activities, transition to a new task when time is up, and start tasks right away. Self-regulation skills are extraordinarily important in the classroom, especially as we continue to place more and more demands on children and teens.
https://www.thepathway2success.com/15-classroom-practices-to-build-self-regulation-skills/
Over the next several weeks we will review one strategy at a time.
4. Creating a Class Schedule
Developing a daily class schedule provides structure and routine into every day from the start. Create a predictable schedule for students and post it where they can view it.
This isn’t to say the schedule can’t ever change – it will sometimes and that’s okay! What’s important is to discuss and preview those changes when you can.
Professional Development Opportunities
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 see the link below for more information on the next webinar in the series. 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.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
If you need mental health, financial, legal, or other assistance, try out our EAP. Your participation is totally confidential.
Special Education Information/News
Get ready for a new contest!
The New Jersey Coalition for Inclusive Education (NJCIE) invites all United States public, charter, and vocational school students in grades 1 to 12 to enter its 15th annual ALL IN Poster Contest!
Formerly known as “Inclusion Works”, the contest launches during National Inclusive Schools Week on December 8, 2023, and will end on May 3, 2024.
At the end of the contest, a grand prize winner is selected, and all winning submissions will be displayed in a poster exhibit on our website.
The contest has taught countless students the importance of inclusion for more than 10 years. When all students are included, everyone shines!
Awards
Participants, based on their grade level, will choose to enter their submissions into one of the following categories:
Elementary I – artwork completed by students in grades 1-2.
Elementary II – artwork completed by students in grades 3-5.
Intermediate – artwork completed by students in grades 6-8.
- Secondary – artwork completed by students in grades 9-12.
The Grand Prize winner will receive a $250 award. Printed copies of their poster will be distributed to schools throughout the country. The winner’s poster will also be announced and exhibited at NJCIE’s Summer Inclusion Leadership Conference in June.
Each category will have one winner and honorable mentions. Category winners will receive a $50 award. We will display all winning submissions and honorable mentions on a virtual exhibit on our website.
For more information- https://www.njcie.org/poster-contest
Academic Supports
Staff News
Happy News
Shawnee Maduzia gave birth to a beautiful baby girl, Meredith Debra, on December 30th!
PTA News
Meeting
Our January PTA Meeting is Monday, January 8 at 7:00PM in the Davies Cafeteria. Grant applications will be reviewed and discussed at 6:15PM. All are welcome to join either in person or using the information below.
Google Meet joining info
Video call link: https://meet.google.com/ruz-eeub-rhu
Or dial: (US) +1 219-364-5047 PIN: 891 343 748#
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:
Notice of Nondiscrimination
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
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.
Affirmative Action Officer
504 Compliance Officer

