January-May 2019
Message from Dr. Tova Ben-Dov
Dear River Edge Families,
At the end of a productive, accomplished and inspiring school year I would like to share with you a few highlights, accomplishments, and future plans. Early in the year the following district goals were outlined:
1: Research and implement best practices to achieve an average, total student academic growth of 26.5% for River Edge students in grades 3-6 in English Language Arts, while focusing on targeted areas of need for each grade level indicated in school goals.
2: Research and implement best practices to achieve an average, total student academic growth of 34.5% for River Edge students in grades 3-6 in math, while focusing on targeted areas of need for each grade level indicated in school goals.
3. This is a three-year goal to enhance differentiation in the classroom to improve student achievement in Reading for Kindergarten through Grade 3, as evidenced by increased documentation of differentiation in walkthrough and observation reports. Use of a universal screener (DIBELS) will identify targeted areas for differentiated instruction and become a valuable tool for progress monitoring.
4. To initiate and implement capital improvements to Roosevelt School which is a 100 year old building in great need of repair and upgrade of identified features in need over the 2018-20 school years.
5. Roosevelt and Cherry Hill Principals will collaborate on achieving greater consistency on variety of school practices.
A full description of our goals is available on the October 17, 2018 Board Agenda on the RE website.
Our entire staff worked very hard to accomplish these goals and at this time it is my pleasure to announce that we have either fulfilled the goals or in the case of multi-year goals we are making excellent progress towards their accomplishment according to schedule. Evidence of fulfillment of the goals was shared with the Board and the public at several meetings and is available in Board minutes.
So much more has been accomplished along with the formal goals! We have implemented a newly revised and rigorous curriculum in all areas. We successfully expanded our Liberty Science Collaboration, and our STEAM program soared! We also expanded our Collaborative Classroom to offer a variety of educational choices to Special Education students. We expanded our multi-cultural curriculum and hosted an Author-in-Residence, and excelled in various related arts. Safety protocols were tightened and enhanced safety equipment was purchased and installed during the year. We also made great progress with Mindfulness and enhanced programming to support our students’ social emotional development. Numerous, informative Parent Academies were held throughout the year.
In anticipation of the 2019-20 school year we established a responsible and comprehensive budget that will afford us the opportunity to adapt a comprehensive Social-Emotional program for all our students. We are also planning to host an Artist-in-Residence, and greater enrichment for our students. The area of parent engagement and social media communication will also continue to be an important goal that we’ll pursue and develop over the summer.
The end of the current school year brought with it the retirement of Ms. Beth Rosen, Asst. Principal in CHS and a beloved, superb educator who has cared for, loved, and benefited many generations of young students! We wish her the very best in the new phase of her life and welcome a dedicated professional, Mr. Eric James who was appointed for the position. You will meet Mr. James informally during the summer and formally in September. I can’t emphasize enough how excited I am about the upcoming 2019-20 school year and I know that when you hear more about our plans you will share my excitement!
I wish to express my gratitude to the entire River Edge staff; teachers, administrators, and all “behind the scenes” support personnel for bringing us this positive and rewarding conclusion of the school year. We thank the Board of Education for their ongoing support, and you, the parents who have been our true partners throughout this journey. Finally, a note of gratitude and appreciation to our wonderful students who are making it all worthwhile! Congratulations to our 6th grade graduates who we feel are well prepared for their next adventure.
Wishing You All a Fantastic, Relaxing, and Inspiring Summer,
Take Care of Yourself, Take Care of Each Other, Take Care of This Place,
Dr. Tova Ben-Dov
River Edge Superintendent of Schools
At the end of a productive, accomplished and inspiring school year I would like to share with you a few highlights, accomplishments, and future plans. Early in the year the following district goals were outlined:
1: Research and implement best practices to achieve an average, total student academic growth of 26.5% for River Edge students in grades 3-6 in English Language Arts, while focusing on targeted areas of need for each grade level indicated in school goals.
2: Research and implement best practices to achieve an average, total student academic growth of 34.5% for River Edge students in grades 3-6 in math, while focusing on targeted areas of need for each grade level indicated in school goals.
3. This is a three-year goal to enhance differentiation in the classroom to improve student achievement in Reading for Kindergarten through Grade 3, as evidenced by increased documentation of differentiation in walkthrough and observation reports. Use of a universal screener (DIBELS) will identify targeted areas for differentiated instruction and become a valuable tool for progress monitoring.
4. To initiate and implement capital improvements to Roosevelt School which is a 100 year old building in great need of repair and upgrade of identified features in need over the 2018-20 school years.
5. Roosevelt and Cherry Hill Principals will collaborate on achieving greater consistency on variety of school practices.
A full description of our goals is available on the October 17, 2018 Board Agenda on the RE website.
Our entire staff worked very hard to accomplish these goals and at this time it is my pleasure to announce that we have either fulfilled the goals or in the case of multi-year goals we are making excellent progress towards their accomplishment according to schedule. Evidence of fulfillment of the goals was shared with the Board and the public at several meetings and is available in Board minutes.
So much more has been accomplished along with the formal goals! We have implemented a newly revised and rigorous curriculum in all areas. We successfully expanded our Liberty Science Collaboration, and our STEAM program soared! We also expanded our Collaborative Classroom to offer a variety of educational choices to Special Education students. We expanded our multi-cultural curriculum and hosted an Author-in-Residence, and excelled in various related arts. Safety protocols were tightened and enhanced safety equipment was purchased and installed during the year. We also made great progress with Mindfulness and enhanced programming to support our students’ social emotional development. Numerous, informative Parent Academies were held throughout the year.
In anticipation of the 2019-20 school year we established a responsible and comprehensive budget that will afford us the opportunity to adapt a comprehensive Social-Emotional program for all our students. We are also planning to host an Artist-in-Residence, and greater enrichment for our students. The area of parent engagement and social media communication will also continue to be an important goal that we’ll pursue and develop over the summer.
The end of the current school year brought with it the retirement of Ms. Beth Rosen, Asst. Principal in CHS and a beloved, superb educator who has cared for, loved, and benefited many generations of young students! We wish her the very best in the new phase of her life and welcome a dedicated professional, Mr. Eric James who was appointed for the position. You will meet Mr. James informally during the summer and formally in September. I can’t emphasize enough how excited I am about the upcoming 2019-20 school year and I know that when you hear more about our plans you will share my excitement!
I wish to express my gratitude to the entire River Edge staff; teachers, administrators, and all “behind the scenes” support personnel for bringing us this positive and rewarding conclusion of the school year. We thank the Board of Education for their ongoing support, and you, the parents who have been our true partners throughout this journey. Finally, a note of gratitude and appreciation to our wonderful students who are making it all worthwhile! Congratulations to our 6th grade graduates who we feel are well prepared for their next adventure.
Wishing You All a Fantastic, Relaxing, and Inspiring Summer,
Take Care of Yourself, Take Care of Each Other, Take Care of This Place,
Dr. Tova Ben-Dov
River Edge Superintendent of Schools
