LINDEN PUBLIC SCHOOLS

New Jersey School Climate Improvement (NJ SCI) Survey - 12/03/2024 Dear Parents and Guardians, We are committed to fostering a positive and inclusive environment that supports the success and well-being of every student. To better understand and improve the experiences of our students, staff, and families, I am pleased to announce that our district will be engaging in a school climate survey using the New Jersey School Climate Improvement (NJ SCI) Survey, which Rutgers University administers. Collecting data is essential to assess our school's strengths and needs and learn how it feels to be a member of the school community. The survey gathers valuable insights into social-emotional learning, academic culture, staff and student relationships, behavioral expectations, family support, and engagement. The feedback collected will guide our efforts to celebrate successes and address areas of improvement. In addition to hearing from parents and caregivers, students in grades 3 through 12 can utilize their student voice and share their feedback. The survey is anonymous and voluntary. A letter with instructions on how to take the parent/caregiver survey will be forthcoming. We thank you in advance for your ongoing partnership and support. Atiya Y. Perkins, Superintendent of Schools

School No. 04 Lockdown - 11/27/2024 Dear Linden Families, Earlier this morning, School No. 4 was placed in a lockdown by the Linden Police Department due to suspicious activity. Police were present at the school and collaborated with the school officials. The Lockdown has been lifted and all faculty, students and staff are safe. The school followed crisis procedures, and normal operations have since resumed. The following press release has been issued from the Linden Police Department: At approximately 7:50am this morning, a 9-1-1 caller reported that there was a man carrying a rifle in the area of E. Elizabeth Ave & N. Park Ave. Officers were immediately dispatched to the area and were unable to locate the suspect. Nearby schools were notified and took appropriate precautionary measures to ensure the safety of students and faculty. Officers confirmed that the man in question was not in possession of a weapon, and the lockdown was lifted at approximately 9:15am. "Nothing is more precious than our children, and we take any potential threat to their safety very seriously," said Linden Police Chief David Hart. "I want to thank the Elizabeth Police Department, Linden Public Schools, and our school parents for their assistance this morning. Fortunately, this incident was proven untrue, but I encourage everyone to continue to be vigilant and report suspicious activity as we begin the holiday season." Linden Public Schools are scheduled for early dismissal today, and residents can expect an increased presence around all schools throughout the day. The Linden Public Schools district appreciates the support and protection provided by the Linden Police Department in keeping us safe. Be well and remain safe, Atiya Y. Perkins Superintendent of Schools

Superintendent's Spotlight Message - 11/26/2024 Dear Linden Families, As we approach the Thanksgiving break, I would like to extend warm wishes to all of you for a peaceful and restful holiday. We have some important updates and reminders as we head into the break. Tomorrow, November 27th, there will be a half-day with no lunch served across all schools in our district. Additionally, please be reminded that school will be closed on November 28th and 29th to allow our students and staff to enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday. As we move through our academic calendar, I am pleased to share some district highlights with you. At the secondary level, we are currently in the second marking period, while our elementary students are entering their third trimester, which will end in a few weeks. In the elementary classes, we focus on enhancing collaboration and ownership of our technology resources, particularly iPads, to support our one-to-one technology program. We are truly thankful for the ongoing partnerships impacting our school community. Our collaboration with the city for food drives has been a source of pride, and the partnership with Chick-fil-A and our Chick-fil-A Leadership Academy of Linden High School 11th and 12th graders has allowed for inspiring mentorship opportunities with younger students. Our students are making phenomenal strides in academics, club affiliations, sports teams, cheerleading, NJROTC, Band and Orchestra, and Fine Arts. In the realm of fine arts, the Linden High School theater production of "Puffs" has showcased our student cast members' incredible talent. We are immensely proud of our students' outstanding performances. Last week, we celebrated American Education Week by highlighting our education support staff's dedication and hard work, community partnerships, and student leaders. Our faculty and staff continue to work hard demonstrating resilience. Furthermore, a special thank you goes out to the parents who participated in our bilingual parent advisory committee discussions, addressing the strengths and challenges our multilingual learners and their families encounter. We recently achieved a significant milestone with the grand opening of our Multilingual Learners Welcome Center, which serves as a valuable resource for our diverse student population and their families. Looking ahead, we encourage parents to remain actively engaged in our school community. This time of the year reminds us to pause and express gratitude. I am grateful for the work of our administrators, support staff, and teachers. Please join me in celebrating our mission to provide an enriching learning environment for all our students. Have a safe and enjoyable Thanksgiving break filled with love, reflection, and thankfulness. With gratitude and ROAR pride, Atiya Y. Perkins Superintendent of Schools

Dear Linden Public Schools Community, this is a reminder that Linden Public Schools will be CLOSED tomorrow, Thursday, November 7, and Friday, November 8, for Fall Recess/NJEA Convention. Classes will resume on Monday, November 11. Thank you, and enjoy the break! Superintendent Atiya Y. Perkins

Strategic Planning Meeting Invitation Dear Linden Families, We need YOU to help us prepare today’s students for tomorrow’s world! As Superintendent of Schools, it is my pleasure on behalf of the Linden Public Schools District Board of Education to invite YOU to participate in our Strategic Planning Process committee. This committee will be a focused group of administrators, faculty, staff, students, parents, and guardians. We will work together to create a shared vision for the district and identify both the strengths of the school district (those unique attributes that we can build on as we move into the future) and the critical issues that we will face (the challenges that the district must be prepared for in the future). We will meet on three occasions in the evenings on October 29, November 12, and January 14. Refreshments will be served. The first meeting of the Strategic Planning process will take place on Tuesday, October 29, at 6:00 p.m. in the McManus Middle School cafeteria (sign-in at 5:45 p.m.). Their address is 300 Edgewood Road, and there is a parking lot. We will work in small and large groups, and the discussion will lead us to a consensus document that will identify our community’s vision, strengths, and challenges for our district and develop goal areas that focus on the future of our schools. The New Jersey School Boards Association will facilitate this process. The Board of Education will use this document to help shape future goals for the district as we move forward. If you have any questions, please contact me. Participation in any or all three of our meetings will be greatly appreciated. Take care and be well, Atiya Y. Perkins Superintendent of Schools aperkins@lindenps.org 908-486-2800 x8008

Superintendent's Message - 10/06/2024 Dear Linden Families, We are in the second month of the school year and are off to a great start. Our Fall sports are in full swing, and we are proud of our students’ athletic performances. Our students are taking grade-level benchmark assessments in reading, language arts, and math to demonstrate their readiness for college and career success in grades 1 – 12. To support their learning, students will use an online program called Exact Path by Edmentum, which customizes lessons and assessments based on each student’s strengths and weaknesses. Students can access Exact Path both at school and at home. Later this month, we will host our first district-wide community engagement session on Tuesday, October 29, at McManus Middle School cafeteria, starting at 6:00 p.m. This session will focus on creating our 2025 – 2030 district Strategic Plan, and we encourage parents, guardians, students, and education stakeholders to attend and contribute to shaping the future of education in our district. Refreshments will be provided, and we look forward to collaborating with all participants to develop a plan that reflects our collective goals and values. There will be three evening meetings: October 29, November 12, and January 14. Our district’s priorities revolve around student achievement, safety and security, and addressing chronic absenteeism. See the table below of district wide events. We do believe the MISSON POSSIBLE and we are committed to strengthening the home-school connection through upcoming events and partnerships with local police and fire departments to promote positive behavior and ensure a safe learning environment. We expect our students to make responsible choices, be good citizens, and represent our school community with excellence. I continue to share we need you to help our students learn, grow, and believe in their Linden R.O.A.R. in and out of school. October 10: Secondary Interim Report Cards visible in Genesis Parent Portal October 7 – October 10 / October 7 – October 11: Week of Respect and Fire Prevention Week October 12: District Breast Cancer Awareness Walk at Tiger Stadium October 14: District In-Service (School Closed) October 15: District-wide Pink Out Day, wear pink to support Breast Cancer Awareness Month October 21 – October 25: School Violence Awareness Week October 22 – October 24: Elementary Parent Teacher Conferences (Early Dismissal / Lunch Served) October 28 – November 2: Red Ribbon Week October 29: Strategic Plan Community Meeting (6:00PM @ McManus Middle School) Take care and be well, Atiya Y. Perkins Superintendent of Schools

𝐒𝐢𝐩, 𝐒𝐚𝐯𝐨𝐫, ⅋ 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭: 𝐉𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐔𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐢𝐧𝐞 ⅋ 𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐞𝐬𝐞 𝐀𝐫𝐭 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐨 𝐭𝐨 𝐁𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐧 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥 𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓! G̳e̳t̳ ̳r̳e̳a̳d̳y̳ ̳f̳o̳r̳ ̳a̳n̳ ̳u̳n̳f̳o̳r̳g̳e̳t̳t̳a̳b̳l̳e̳ ̳n̳i̳g̳h̳t̳ ̳o̳f̳ ̳a̳r̳t̳,̳ ̳m̳u̳s̳i̳c̳,̳ ̳a̳n̳d̳ ̳c̳o̳m̳m̳u̳n̳i̳t̳y̳ ̳s̳p̳i̳r̳i̳t̳!̳ 🎉 ᴏɴ ꜰʀɪᴅᴀʏ, ꜱᴇᴘᴛᴇᴍʙᴇʀ 20, 2024, Derek Armstead Mayor of Linden and the Linden Mayor's Youth Commission Scholarship Committee invite YOU to the Wine & Cheese Art Expo at the Raymond Wood Bauer Promenade (400 N. Wood Ave, Linden). 🎨Featured Artist: Enrique from Parede Art LLC will showcase his stunning artwork that you won’t want to miss! 🎶🎷 Live Jazz & Blues: Enjoy soulful sounds starting at 7:30 PM! 🍷🧀 Wine & Cheese Tasting: Begins at 5:30 PM, plus non-alcoholic juice tastings from Sunpower Juice! Let’s rally together to raise funds for scholarships and Project Graduation for the Class of 2025! Last year, we raised $6,500, but this year, we're aiming for $50,000 to support a safe and fun graduation night. 🎓 🎟️ Tickets: $35 per person 📞 For tickets or more info: Danie Orelien: 908-403-3880 Sandra Jackson: 908-494-9138 Rosalind Pearson: 908-816-7801 Mark your calendars and join us for a night of art, music, and making a difference! 🌟 #SupportLHSClassOf2025 #LindenPride #WineAndCheeseExpo Linden High School

⚽️ Game Day Alert: Varsity Soccer Showdown ⚽️Hey, Tigers! This Saturday night at 6 PM it's going down at Tiger Stadium! Our Linden Boys Varsity Soccer team is ready to take on Group 4 powerhouse, West Orange, ranked #17 in the state! ⚽️West Orange has been a tough opponent in the past, but this is our time to show them what Linden is made of! Let's pack the stands and bring the energy to support our boys! ⚽️Plus, halftime is going to be a blast with the Linden Youth Soccer Association hitting the field for a special 7-minute small-sided game! ⚽️No admission fee—so bring your family, friends, and all the Tiger spirit you’ve got! We’re ready for a night of unforgettable soccer action! ⚽️📅 Saturday, 6 PM 📍 Tiger Stadium 🎟️ FREE Admission ⚽️Let’s fill the stands and make Tiger Stadium ROAR! ⚽️ See you there, Linden family! ⚽️#TigerPride #LindenSoccer #GameDay #LindenVsWestOrange #BringTheROAR #NoAdmission #YouthSoccerHalftime ⚽️

𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐧’𝐬 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒 𝐋𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧 𝐅𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐥: 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐋𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐓𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐎𝐧𝐞 𝐁𝐈𝐆 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭! 𝟗/𝟏𝟓 Join us for the ultimate celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month! 🇪🇸 Mayor Derek Armstead Mayor of Linden, the City of Linden, Uptown Linden Inc., and the Department of Parks & Recreation proudly present the 2024 Latin Festival—a full day of non-stop fun, excitement, and cultural pride! 🗓 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧: 𝐒𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐒𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟓, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒 | 𝟏𝟐 𝐏𝐌 - 𝟕 𝐏𝐌 | 𝐑𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐞 📍 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞: 𝐍𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐡 𝐖𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐀𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐮𝐞 (𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐄𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐄𝐥𝐦 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐭 & 𝐄𝐥𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐮𝐞) 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭'𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐞: 🚗 Auto & Bike Show Competition presented by RIX Magazine! 🎶 Live DJ & Music | Mariachi Band | Lucha Libre Wrestling 🍽 Food Truck Festival | Beer & Wine Garden 🎨 Face Painting | Cosplay Characters | Games & Activities for all ages! 💥 Vendor Marketplace with Euro, Import, Low Riders, Exotic Cars, Bikes, Muscle Cars, JDM/KDM, and more! 🏎 RC Drifting & Hot Wheels | Sneaker Show | Tug O' War Challenge with cash prizes & awards! 🚗🚲 Whether you’re a car enthusiast or just here for the fun, the Auto & Bike Show will showcase Drag Builds, Stanced Cars, SUVs, Trucks, Jeeps, and more—including the exciting Two-Step Competition! Vendors & Cars Roll-In: 9 AM - 11 AM For more info or to become a vendor: 📞 Auto & Bike Vendors: Call/Email Rico at 973.698.9047 | info@rixmag.com 📞 Food Vendors: Call/Email Mikki at 908.718.5831 | biz@uptownlinden.com This is a day you won’t want to miss—come out and celebrate with the community! 🌍💃🕺 #LindenPublicSchools #LatinFestival2024 #HispanicHeritageMonth #LindenNJ #AutoShow #CommunityCelebration #VivaLaCultura #FunForAllAges

🚸𝐋𝐏𝐒 𝐁𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞 & 𝐀𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞 🚸 𝐁𝐀𝐂𝐊 𝐓𝐎 𝐒𝐂𝐇𝐎𝐎𝐋 𝐌𝐄𝐄𝐓 & 𝐆𝐑𝐄𝐄𝐓 📅 Thursday, September 19th at School No. 1 ⏰ 6:30 - 8:00 PM 📍 Meet Your Staff 🤔 Ask Questions 🥤 Refreshments Provided 📞 Call 908.486.2800 ext. 4810 to RSVP! ✨ Start Strong, Finish Stronger with Linden Public Schools' Before/Aftercare Programs! We're excited to offer safe, engaging environments for all PreK-4 to 5th-grade students. According to program supervisor Frances Czylek, our Before and Aftercare sessions ensure your children are in great hands outside of regular school hours! 🕖 Before Care: Starts at 7:00 AM until breakfast. 🕔 Aftercare: Runs from dismissal until 6:00 PM. Don’t miss out—join us for the Meet & Greet! #LindenPublicSchools #BeforeAndAfterCare #BackToSchool #LPSCommunity #StartStrongFinishStronger