LPS Spotlight
News for the Livingston Public Schools Community

READ ACROSS AMERICA: Our school hallways have been filled with the joy of reading this week as elementary students and staff celebrate Read Across America. Highlights of the celebration included "reading trains," where students lined up throughout the building to dive into their favorite books together. This week has also featured a variety of guest readers who visited classrooms to share stories with our students. Among the many volunteers were district administrators, local police officers, and LHS alumni! We are grateful to everyone who took the time to visit our schools and help inspire a lifelong love of literacy!
SCROLL OR CLICK ON THE TABLE OF CONTENTS TO THE LEFT FOR INFO ON...
Board of Education Meeting TONIGHT
Public Budget Forums: April 23, 2026
New Website Repository for Legal Notices
LHS Chess Team Wins State Title Again!
LHS Senior Named Regeneron Scholar
Bhatt is Finalist at Harvard Debate Invitational
Lancer Jazz Band Earns Gold at State Prelims
LHS Theater Presents Inclusive Performance
BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING: March 3, 2026 (7:30PM)
The Livingston Board of Education will hold a public meeting tonight, Tuesday, March 3, 2026 (7:30PM) at the Central Office, 11 Foxcroft Drive.
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.
PUBLIC BUDGET FORUMS: APRIL 23, 2026
The Board of Education will hold two Public Budget Forum sessions on Thursday, April 23.
- Morning Session: 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
- Evening Session: 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
These sessions are a great opportunity for members of the public to get informed, share their thoughts and have questions addressed directly by district administrators. We value your input and hope to see you there!
NEW WEBSITE REPOSITORY FOR LEGAL NOTICES
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.
2026 SUMMER ACADEMY REGISTRATION
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)
2026-2027 KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION IS OPEN
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.
LHS CHESS TEAM WINS STATE TITLE AGAIN!
Congratulations to the Livingston High School Chess Team for capturing their 4th consecutive NJ High School Chess Championship! In a high-stakes weekend featuring a competitive field of 26 teams, LHS proved their dominance once again to bring home the state title.
A special shoutout goes to Senior and Team Captain Aston Roberts, who finished the tournament undefeated to lead the charge. Livingston also swept the JV section, with LHS teams taking home both first and second place.
We are incredibly proud of these students for maintaining Livingston's championship legacy on the boards!
LHS SENIOR NAMED REGENERON SCHOLAR
Livingston High School senior Adhithi Arun has been named one of the top 300 scholars in the Regeneron Science Talent Search 2026. As the nation’s oldest and most prestigious science and math competition for high school seniors, this program recognizes young scientists tackling significant global challenges through original research.
Adhithi was selected from a highly competitive field of over 2,600 applicants worldwide for her project titled: “Platelets Promote Multiple Myeloma Cell Survival and Immune Evasion Through Soluble Factors and NK Cell Modulation.” In recognition of this achievement, both Adhithi and LHS will receive a $2,000 award. We congratulate Adhithi on this remarkable national honor and her contributions to cancer research!
POETRY OUT LOUD FINALIST
Livingston High School is proud to celebrate student Gabrielle Ford, who has been named one of only 12 State Finalists in the 2025-2026 New Jersey Poetry Out Loud competition. Following a successful regional performance in early February, Gabrielle will represent our region on the state stage.
This year’s program holds special significance as it honors America’s 250th anniversary by focusing on poems that celebrate the rich tapestry of American history and culture. Gabrielle competes for the title of State Champion today, March 3, 2026, at the Count Basie Center for the Arts in Red Bank!
BHATT IS FINALIST AT HARVARD DEBATE INVITATIONAL
Congratulations to Heritage Middle School 8th grader Nina Bhatt who was a finalist at the prestigious Harvard Debate Invitational held in Cambridge, MA from February 14–16! The Harvard Debate Invitational is one of the most competitive national debate tournaments in the world, attracting hundreds of participants globally.
Nina demonstrated exceptional skill by arguing both sides of the tournament resolution: “Resolved: The Federal Trade Commission should establish a federal regulatory framework for sports betting.”
She finished as Overall Runner-Up (2nd Place), marking a significant achievement and building on last year’s success, where she ranked as a Top 10 Speaker at the tournament.
An avid and dedicated debater, Nina now regularly competes on the high school varsity circuit. She was crowned Champion of the Berkeley Fall Classic (High School Varsity Public Forum Division) in Fall 2025.
Nina has advanced to elimination rounds at every major national tournament she has entered, reaching late stages across both varsity and middle school divisions. Her notable performances include: Digital TOC (Varsity), Georgetown (Varsity), John Lewis Invitational (Open), Marist Ivy (Open), Stanford (Middle School), Champion – University of Kentucky Season Opener (Middle School).
LANCER JAZZ BAND EARNS GOLD AT STATE PRELIMS
The LHS Lancer Jazz Band delivered a standout performance last night at the NJAJE State Prelims hosted by Liberty Middle School in West Orange. Competing in a field of 12 ensembles, the Lancers were one of only three bands to be awarded a Gold rating.
In addition to the top-tier rating, LHS took home specialized honors for Best Saxophone Section and Best Trombone Section. Individual recognition was also given to senior alto saxophonist Ethan Julius, who earned an Outstanding Soloist trophy for his featured performance on the piece "Samantha."
The band is currently in a strong position to qualify for the NJAJE State Finals. Official results will be released this Saturday following the conclusion of the remaining preliminary rounds.
LHS THEATER TO PRESENT "SHREK THE MUSICAL"
LHS Theater is proud to present SHREK THE MUSICAL from March 12-14. Based on the Oscar-winning DreamWorks Animation film, this musical is a Tony Award-winning fairy tale adventure that brings all the beloved characters you know from the film to life on stage, reminding us there's more to the story than meets the... ears. Irreverently fun for the whole family, SHREK THE MUSICAL will have you tapping along to the captivating score and howling with laughter from beginning to "happily ever after."
Click here to purchase tickets.
*LHS Theater will offer a Meet & Greet with the Cast after the Saturday matinee.
INCLUSIVE PERFORMANCE OFFERED MARCH 11TH
The Livingston High School Theater Department invites the community to a special, judgment-free dress rehearsal of this year’s musical, Shrek. This inclusive performance is designed to provide a welcoming and comfortable environment for all audience members.
RSVP IS REQUIRED. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER.
Event Details:
Date & Time: Wednesday, March 11, 2026, at 7:00p.m.
Location: LHS Auditorium
Admission: FREE (Please note that seating is limited)
To ensure a positive experience for everyone, the theater department has highlighted several key features for this specific show. Attendees are encouraged to bring their favorite snacks to enjoy during the performance, and a 15-minute intermission will be held between Act 1 and Act 2. Additionally, for anyone who may need a quiet moment or a break, dedicated space will be available just outside the auditorium.
Livingston’s senior citizens have also been invited to this performance, and dedicated seating areas will be provided for both groups. We look forward to sharing this magical "swampy" story with you in a supportive and inclusive setting!
PROCESS FOR ADDRESSING PARENT CONCERNS
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.
COMMUNICATION TOOLS • SUICIDE LIFELINE • MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT
STAY CONNECTED
LPS is committed to building strong relationships with students, families, and the community, and as such, we strive to provide accurate and timely information to our stakeholders.
988 SUICIDE & CRISIS LIFELINE
The FCC recently approved a new 3-digit dialing code, 988, for mental health crisis and suicide prevention.
The 988 line operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for calls, texts, and chat. Learn more about the new nationwide 3-digit dialing code for crisis and suicide prevention.
MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT
LPS students, staff members, and their families can use Care Solace to quickly find verified mental health, behavioral health, and substance use treatment options matched to their needs, regardless of circumstances. Care Solace’s team is available 24/7/365 and can support you in any language. This is a FREE and CONFIDENTIAL service provided by LPS. Learn more about Care Solace.
WE'RE HIRING! JOIN THE LPS TEAM!
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!
CTL TO PRESENT JUNIE B. JONES THE MUSICAL JR.
Children’s Theatre of Livingston (CTL) is thrilled to present Junie B. Jones The Musical JR., a student version of the witty and charming show , which was adapted from the Junie B. Jones series of best-selling books by Barbara Park. The musical follows the adventures of a precocious girl named Junie B. as she nervously faces the beginning of first grade. The show features forty-five Livingston elementary students who come together to perform a heartwarming show that follows a tremendously loveable girl as she learns that “growing up is scary, but it’s also kinda fun.”
The shows are about an hour long, one-act, on Saturday, March 21, at 12:30 and 3:30, and Sunday, March 22, at 12:30 and 3:30, and are a perfect way to introduce youngsters to the joy of theatre. The show is performed at the Eisenhower Corporate Center, 290 W. Mt. Pleasant Avenue, Livingston. Tickets are on sale at the pre-sale price until March 9; after that, the price goes up. Please contact Shari Scheckman at ctltickets@yahoo.com
LIVINGSTON'S ANNUAL INTERGENERATIONAL DANCE
The event, formerly known as the "Intergenerational Prom," is scheduled for Tuesday, April 21, 2026, in the Livingston High School (LHS) cafeteria!
Senior citizens who wish to attend must pre-register to obtain a ticket. Residents can register in person at the Livingston Recreation & Senior Services Department, located at 204 Hillside Avenue, during standard office hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For those who prefer a digital option, registration is also available online through Livingston CommunityPass. For additional information or questions regarding the event, residents are encouraged to call 973-535-7925.
HOMELESS CHILDREN AND YOUTH RESOURCES
The Essex Regional Educational Services Commission (ERESC) Education of Homeless Children and Youth (EHCY) Program has an online resource for children, youth and families experiencing homelessness. https://eresccares.org is where families can go to find free or reduced-cost resources like food, housing, financial assistance, health care, and more.
LIVINGSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY
The Livingston Public Library has something for everyone! Learn more about the library HERE.
WATCH LTV... IT'S ALL ABOUT LIVINGSTON!
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!
LPS Spotlight
2025-2026 School Year / No. 11
Michelle Bent
Manager of Communications
Livingston Public Schools
(973) 535-8000 ext. 8036
Email: mbent@livingston.org
LPS Spotlight is the official e-newsletter of the Livingston Public Schools.