The RAMbler Winter 2021 Edition

21 Winter 20 e... u s s i s i h t Inside The Role of Technology at RPS Page 4

Enhanced Communication is Key to Virtual Learning

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Safety Updates and Facility Upgrades Page 6

RPS Unveils New District Logo The Roselle Public School district is transforming. The pandemic has pushed the district to quickly adapt to educating its students virtually.

But it has also provided the opportunity to develop and grow, helping to launch its schools further into the 21st century.

While there is still progress to be made, the newly-designed district logo illustrates where the district has been and where it is headed.

In January 1883, Roselle became the first hamlet in the country to be lit with electric light by Thomas Edison. This vital piece of history was the most important element that Superintendent of Schools Dr. Nathan L. Fisher wanted to incorporate when designing the new logo. The tagline - First in Light, First in Education - encapsulates not only the district’s rich history but also its determination to provide a high-quality education to all students.

Important elements showcased in the new logo include a book, which symbolizes the knowledge that is provided to each and every student; a graduation cap, a symbol that aligns with the district’s vision to prepare all students for college, work, and life; light beams, an ode to the borough’s history and the classic Roselle red, the distinctive color that has tied the entire community together for generations.

The light beams also represent Dr. Fisher taking the reins as superintendent and prioritizing the need for community involvement and support.

“The borough and school district should work collaboratively; we are all an important part of Roselle. I am here to bring a new burst of SYNERGY to our district and community as a whole,” he explained. “When I look at this new logo, I know that Roselle is certainly going somewhere.”

The district logo, which hasn’t been updated in several decades, is now a symbol of academic success that depicts how the district has evolved.

“When having the logo redesigned, I didn’t want to lose our important history. My goal was to preserve that history while making the necessary changes to create a distinct, fresh and modern symbol for our district,” said Dr. Fisher. “This is more than just a logo; it is a rebrand that will set the theme as we set our sights on the future.”

A Bright Future Awaits Roselle Public Schools

By Dr. Nathan L. Fisher, Superintendent of Schools For years, I’ve had dreams of becoming superintendent of this great school district. When my time finally arrived this past summer, I couldn’t wait to stand in front of any of the wonderful schools, as the students arrived, to give fist bumps and high-fives all around but Covid delayed that.

remains on pause. My calendar is now circled in red on February 1st, which is scheduled to be the first day of in-class learning for the Roselle Public Schools during the 2020-21 school year.

I am still waiting for that day. Since I became superintendent on June 30th, during the height of this pandemic, I have yet to personally welcome students streaming into our schools, as in-person learning

I am sure you all share my eagerness to get back to normal. There is so much that we all want to do to elevate the quality of education in our school district and make sure each and every student is challenged to the maximum potential.

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Surely, I can’t wait.

ECRWSS POSTAL CUSTOMER Roselle Public Schools 710 Locust Street Roselle, NJ 07203

Continued from page 1 I want to remind our student scholars that they are part of living history in a very special community – the first hamlet in the United States to be lit with electric light, thanks to Thomas Edison. That happened Jan. 19, 1883, when a steam-driven generator sent electricity through wires strung overhead to a store, the borough’s railway depot, 40 or so houses and 150 of our streetlights.

edge through the middle of the 21st century.

That light is still evident today, shining brightly on the new Roselle Public Schools logo that we are now unveiling. The light means many things to many people. For me, it is about opening the hearts and minds of our scholars to the excitement of learning, of scholarship and of achieving beyond their wildest imagination, just like Mr. Edison, right here, 138 years ago.

My leadership began with ensuring successful remote learning. I am proud to report that our district-wide attendance rate has been 93%, despite the many challenges of at-home learning. There have also been numerous online programs and special events that have been held in each school to reinforce our strong community. We have also looked to give back at every turn, such as the recent holiday gift give-away at LV Moore for our younger students.

And, like him, I have a plan to innovate and invigorate Roselle. I am eager to implement a plan through 2025 that matches our district’s mantra: First in Light, First in Education. It is a plan involving new technologies, stronger curricula and an entirely new way of ensuring student scholars success through a close-knit team approach.

As our logo shows, this is a time to reposition and rebrand the Roselle Public Schools, as we prepare our scholars to take journeys far beyond where we, ourselves, can go. Although we can’t be part of their travels, we can make sure they are on solid footing as they take that first bold step outside of Roselle. We want our student scholars to be immensely proud of where they came from, and that begins with providing them a stellar education that gives them a competitive

I wholeheartedly welcome the many challenges to elevate our scholars’ success, during this pandemic and beyond. This is a moment I have been preparing for my entire professional career here in Roselle, and I am ready.

So, as we set our sights on February 1st, and hope that the virus does not push back our calendar yet again, let us rejoice in what has been accomplished at home, with dedicated teachers, parents/guardians and student scholars always keeping their eye on the prize.

Yes, we have certainly accomplished so much together, despite the challenges.

And our future has never looked brighter for every student as we prepare them for college, work, and life. So always remember, “ALL STUDENTS MATTER.”

Roselle Schools Focus on Social and Emotional Learning

By Dr. Lissette Gonzalez-Perez, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum, Instruction and Equity I want to begin by applauding our entire RPS Community - everyone from our students and their families to our dedicated administrators, teachers and staff - for working together to provide the best possible educational experience during these very difficult times. If this past year has taught us anything, it’s that it takes a large amount of meaningful support to make it through challenging situations.

I am proud of how our RPS Community continues to find innovative ways to stay connected and focus on social and emotional learning (SEL) best practices during this crucial time for our students.

Now more than ever, SEL is critical for not only our students but also for our families and teachers. This year, these best practices have been critical in re-engaging students, supporting adults, rebuilding relationships and creating a strong foundation for academic learning.

The district’s bilingual social worker has been continuously providing counseling in Spanish and outreach to non-English speaking families who might be experiencing stress during this time. We have also partnered with the International Rescue Committee to provide tutoring and counseling in Arabic in order to support all of the needs of our families.

Title IV funds have been used to provide SEL schoolwide presentations for Grace Wilday Junior High School and Leonard V. Moore Middle School students. The district is hoping to partner with Kid-Grit to access additional SEL lessons for our elementary students.

Through the district’s partnership with Care Plus, we began the school year with an SEL workshop for our entire staff. Care Plus also provides an SEL teacher-staff hotline open to all staff, continuing SEL professional development hours, monthly parent support in English and Spanish and a districtwide virtual drop-in SEL classroom that is open to all students via Zoom, providing them with SEL activities and support.

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Child Study Team members have been working with families to ensure that they are accessing outside support agencies if they are in need of food, shelter or respite care.

Counselors have been providing weekly SEL lessons to elementary students and teachers across the district to embed SEL into their daily lessons.

It’s wonderful to see how our principals and teachers are incorporating SEL into their virtual classrooms through spirit days, school-wide projects such as Harrison Elementary School’s Multicultural Cookbook and KSA’s Harvest Festival, food and toy drives such as L.V. Moore’s Great Toy Giveaway, and author readalouds, just to name a few. These types of projects and activities help our students focus on SEL while also keeping our school communities connected.

As our students are still learning virtually, this offers an increased opportunity for families to define the role of SEL within their own homes so we encourage parents to implement SEL strategies outside of the classroom.

I also want to take this time to once again emphasize the important role that parents/guardians play during this time of virtual learning.

Please continue to support your student with their schoolwork and encourage them to log on to Schoology each day.

As always, at all levels of grades K-12, counselors monitor their email and will immediately address any concerns from students, teachers and parents. Please know that you are not alone and that the district is here to support you.

www.Facebook.com/RosellePublicSchools

The Importance of Community During a Pandemic Since our district closed its doors in March, it has been difficult to find safe and innovative ways to get our students and families to feel strongly connected as a learning community – even if we cannot meet in person.

Administrators, teachers and principals at each district school have been tirelessly working to nurture connectivity within our schools as we continue to remain in remote learning until Feb. 1. It’s important that all of our scholars – from our youngest preschoolers to high school seniors now applying to college – recognize the major role they play in the Roselle Public Schools.

Here are some incredible events and programs that have kept our remote network of families and students together.

• Administrators and counselors at Abraham Clark High School have created a unique way for students to connect virtually via the school’s newly created Safe Space. The Safe Space is a Zoom meeting place reserved exclusively for students to talk, to share and to seek support. The Zoom is available every week day from 2 - 3 p.m. and can be accessed through the school’s website.

“Students who are grieving, feeling frustrated, isolated, stressed, or just need someone to talk to are encouraged to visit the Safe Space for support,” said Principal Terry Shareef. “This was created with the goal of providing students with the support they need during this very challenging time, a safe space to express themselves outside of the classroom.”

Grace Wilday Junior High School staff and district administrators hosted a contactless food distribution event to help feed the school’s families.

Leonard V. Moore Middle School’s “Generation on Kids Care Club” Club, Mira Septimus, club advisor and art teacher, and school administrators at the school’s Great Toy Giveaway.

• Washington Elementary School was able to continue its annual tradition of hosting its much-anticipated Polar Express Literacy Night. This year, the Washington School staff reconfigured this family-friendly event to be done virtually with great success.

All Washington School students were invited to a drive-thru event to pick up the items for the crafts and activities that they would normally have done together, in-person. Then, the entire school virtually joined together for a read aloud of the Polar Express book and a screening of the movie.

• Grace Wilday Junior High School, after identifying that many of their students and families have been struggling with food insecurity, hosted a two-day contactless food distribution event that provided food to the school’s 500 families.

The food was generously donated by Virtu Financial Inc., an NYC-based financial firm, and Grace Wilday staff, including Principal Tomeeko Hunt. The community geared up on both days to hand out the donations. Families in-need had the opportunity to safely pick up the food on both days without leaving their vehicles. For families that do not have a vehicle, Grace Wilday staff made home deliveries.

• Students from Leonard V. Moore Middle School’s Generation on Kids Care Club, led by Mira Septimus, art teacher and club advisor, embodied the spirit of giving this year as the school hosted its The Great Toy Giveaway on GivingTuesday. The Great Toy Giveaway, a part of Kids for Peace, is a unique peer-to-peer giving program that provides students the opportunity to put compassion into action by distributing toys to children in need.

The giveaway was a joint event with the Roselle Police Department and the club at Leonard V. Moore, which received donations from The Toy Foundation as well as many other generous community partners. The toys were distributed to the district’s preschool, kindergarten and elementary school students. For safety reasons, each school had a designated pick up time and face masks were required. Members of the school’s student council and parent-teacher group were also involved in the distribution.

• Harrison Elementary School created its “Multicultural Cookbook” to bring an even stronger taste of diversity and connection to the school. Typically, during October, Harrison hosts its annual, not-to-miss Multicultural Taste of Diversity Dinner that brings together students, parents, staff and community. But with students still learning virtually, the staff quickly devised this smart plan to celebrate the school’s diverse community.

Alexsandra Rivera, the school’s bilingual social worker, compiled favorite recipes from the Roselle community, staff, friends, and family members to create this cookbook that features tasty recipes for everything from breakfast to dessert.

• The staff at Dr. Charles C. Polk Elementary School was still able to host its annual Calling All Families event in which instructional materials and goodie bags were distributed to more than 250 families. All families mothers, fathers, grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins and family friends were invited to the event. Each family also received a gift of Dr. Charles C. Polk Elementary School appreciation. hosted a safe and socially distanced “Calling All Families” event to bring Continues on Page 4 together its school’s community.

www.RoselleSchools.org

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Continued from page 3

• The Kindergarten Success Academy hosted a Harvest Festival Pumpkin Pick-up/Drive-by before Thanksgiving when the staff gave out pumpkins, decorating kits, juice and apple cider as part of a decorating contest that students enjoyed over the holiday break. Students submitted pictures of their festive pumpkins as part of a contest featured on the school’s Schoology page.

The hardworking staff at the Kindergarten Success Academy gave out pumpkins and decorating kits to excited students to decorate over Thanksgiving break.

• During this challenging time, our preschool has partnered with the KSA to create a joint parent-teacher group to promote longevity with parent and community involvement within both schools.

The joint PTG was able to organize a Thanksgiving food drive to collect more than 90 items - everything from canned to boxed goods - and donated the items to the food pantry at the Heard AME Church.

• The district’s 21st Century Program has also been an important and active part in providing extra support to students at the elementary schools and L.V. Moore Middle School involved in the afterschool program. The 21st Century Program is also responsible for offering daily, bagged meals - breakfast, lunch and dinner - to all students. Meals can be picked up at the Abraham Clark High School cafeteria, located at 122 E 6th Ave, between 7 a.m. - 1 p.m. during the week.

The administration is proud of the entire RPS community for remaining active and continuing to support our students in any way possible.

No obstacle is too great to overcome in Roselle!

The Vital Role of Technology at RPS The pandemic, like with many other districts, has caused Roselle Public Schools to extensively update its technology to meet the needs of virtual learning.

Other notable purchases include ClearTouch Interactive Boards and webcams - one for every classroom - and Adobe Creative Cloud software.

With $1.9 million in funding secured through the CARES Act, Digital Divide Grant, and the COVID-19 economic stimulus bill passed in March, the district was able to greatly minimize the digital divide among students and ensure a more equitable learning opportunity.

The district’s Help Desk at Abraham Clark High School, located at 122 E 6th Ave., is open five days a week from 8-9 a.m. and 1-2 p.m. for students and families to solve any tech issues. The Help Desk can also be accessed by email at helpdesk@roselleschools.org for issues pertaining to password resets.

Tackling the digital divide started with addressing the issue of internet access among our families. Kajeet Smartbus devices and T-mobile hotspots were purchased to help equalize access among all students in the district. Kajeet Smartbus devices have a WiFi signal range of 300 feet and are used in district vehicles that are driven around the borough throughout the school day. T-mobile hotspots are available to displaced families that are struggling.

Access points have also been installed on the exterior of all school buildings and school gyms; WiFi can now be accessed via a district email address.

“Not many districts are providing outdoor WiFi access to students.

These new outdoor access points also offer the district an opportunity to have class outside when we return to in-person instruction,” explained Henry Dixon, Director of Operational Technology. “These WiFi access points are keys to supporting our students and families.”

While Chromebooks have already been distributed to each student, the district was able to update the devices for reliable virtual learning. Along with 1,200 new Chromebooks, Dell laptops have been purchased for the high school students and Samsung Galaxy tablets for the preschool and kindergarten students. The distribution of these new devices is being arranged.

“It is key to provide these laptops to our high school students as these are the types of devices they will have to use in college or other training. We want to get out students prepared for life after graduation,” said Evenide Fanfan-Vilcean, Supervisor of Instructional Technology-CTE & Student Information Systems.

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Members of the Roselle Public Schools security team - (L-R) Boris Shimonov, Jason Carter and Winston Johnson provide WiFi hotspots throughout the Borough to ensure that all of our students have easy access to their virtual classrooms.

www.Facebook.com/RosellePublicSchools

“Schoology” Keeps Roselle Connected By now, everyone has heard of the school district’s new learning management system, Schoology.

It is the program that has quickly become the district’s lifeline; the main tool that connects our students, teachers and administrators during virtual learning.

The system provides the district with all of the latest dynamic tools to create engaging content, design lessons and assess student understanding. Teachers and administrators are using Schoology for a variety of activities outside of regular lessons, including morning announcements and after school activities, such as the popular 21st Century Program.

Fanfan-Vilcean explained that there has been an increased amount of parental involvement since the system was first implemented – a key to student success. Within the system, parents can view a student’s calendar as well as activities he or she needs to complete for the week.

The tech supervisor also praised the school principals and teachers for continually updating their school pages with important announcements, updates and reminders. Schoology is a vital part of how principals and teachers connect each day to each student, she said.

An important part of the transition from Google Classroom – the platform the district was previously using – to Schoology is the amount of support that the district continues to offer to parents, students and teachers.

Parent information and training sessions for both Schoology and Genesis have been held multiple times since the summer in three languages - English, Spanish and Creole - and the district plans to provide additional sessions right before the start of each marking period.

For additional assistant or any Schoology related questions, please email schoologyadmin@roselleschools.org and for support with Genesis, contact genesis@roselleschools.org genesis@roselleschools.org.

Example of Schoology classroom from Dr. Charles C. Polk School

Example of Schoology classroom from Harrison School

“We are happy to report that our district is adapting well to using Schoology with a vast majority of students logging on each day,” said Evenide Fanfan-Vilcean, Supervisor of Instructional Technology-CTE & Student Information Systems. “By using this system, we have shown that our district is great when we can be together in person but even when we’re not, we can still support each other and provide continuity in instruction.”

The system connects directly to Genesis for grading purposes and to easily share data regarding student progress. Parents are also able to access student report cards and request a loan device through Genesis so the two systems work hand-in-hand to ensure continuity in instruction.

Enhanced Communication is Key to Virtual Learning One of the biggest challenges facing the district is not being able to connect with students in the classroom. In-person connection is a major part of building strong relationships with our students and their families. In response to this new normal, the district has ramped up its communication efforts to connect with the community through multiple channels.

The district’s weekly newsletter, Rambling On, serves as an important tool to inform the community on a weekly basis. Even though students are not in the classroom, noteworthy and enriching activities are still taking place in a virtual setting.

This quarterly newsletter, The Rambler, is intentionally shared with all residents – not just students and their families – because community support of our public schools is the key to a strong, tight-knit, thriving community. Keeping the borough’s residents consistently informed creates collaborative opportunities and provides students with a great support system within their own neighborhoods.

Dr. Nathan L. Fisher recently launched a one-of-a-kind video series, “60 Seconds With the Superintendent,” as a virtual way to bring the community into the district’s schools while the buildings remain closed. Dr. Fisher’s series showcases the behind-the-scenes work that is taking place to prepare our children to learn remotely every day. These videos can be viewed on the district website and social media accounts. We hope you will check them out!

Administrators are also working to provide Roselle’s local access channel, TV34, with original, updated content from the school district, such as episodes of “60 Seconds With the Superintendent,” to ensure the district is making use of all communication channels possible.

Roselle residents should also be sure to follow the district on all social media platforms @_RoselleSchools and /Roselle Public Schools on Facebook to stay up-to-date with all the late-breaking RPS news.

The district website - www.roselleschools.org - is also continually updated.

www.RoselleSchools.org

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Roselle Public Schools Alumnus and Homegrown Rapper Gives Back to Students

A Report on Safety Updates and Facility Upgrades

A group of students at Polk Elementary School were surprised at the annual toy giveaway as RPS alumnus and homegrown rapper Crunch Calhoun gave out more than 20 pairs of Vans sneakers to celebrate the students’ achievements in 2020.

The safety of students, teachers and staff has been a leading priority since the start of the pandemic last winter. While students are safely learning from home, the district is diligently preparing for the return of in-person instruction in 2021 by increasing safety measures at every turn.

Assemblyman Jamel Holley, Mayor Donald Shaw and other borough officials also joined to honor the students that were selected based on the recommendation of Principal Andreea Harry. All students have excelled during remote learning, prompting the recognition and a special gift delivered in the school parking lot.

Crunch Calhoun, was born Jerae Prather and grew up in Roselle, a star basketball player who graduated Abraham Clark High School in 2006. He received much appreciation from school administrators, Mayor Shaw and Assemblyman Holley, as he handed out the shoes to each family, as they approached separately to practice social distancing.

“We wanted to give a special holiday gift to these special students who have succeeded, despite the obstacles of at-home learning,” said Assemblyman Holley.

Calhoun, 32, said it is an honor to give back to Roselle, which he is proud to call his hometown. At the ripe age of 9, Calhoun took an undeniable interest in music. Realizing his talents and capabilities, he began writing his own music at 12. By the age of 15, his interest grew into a dream to become a highlyacclaimed rapper.

“It’s great to see a talented young man from Roselle give back to his community and the district that helped him to succeed,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Nathan L. Fisher. “Thank you to Crunch Calhoun, our local officials and the entire team at Polk for creating such a memorable day for our students.”

Mayor Shaw also noted the shoe and toy give-away was a phenomenal event – uplifting to parents, students and the entire Polk faculty.

Crunch Calhoun, Assemblyman Jamel Holley and Roselle Mayor Donald Shaw (L-R) hand out sneakers to high-performing students at Dr. Charles C. Polk Elementary School.

“Those students have really been put to task over the past few months and they really deserved to be honored,” the mayor said.

“They have an amazing principal in Ms. Harry and they had a lot to be proud of. That’s why there are so many smiles around today!”

Hydroxyl generators, which are used to remove contaminants in the air, have been installed in each school, located at the nurse stations and gymnasiums. There are plans to also install these generators in the main offices.

The district has also invested in a chemical dilution system, used to properly dispense cleaning chemicals, as well as electrostatic sprayers that will be used to disinfect classrooms and common areas. Six-feet-tall UV lamps for further disinfection have also been purchased.

Since April, many important updates have been made throughout the district for the health and safety of the school community. Here is a sampling:

• District-wide • District-wide roof repairs • Hot • Hot water heater replacement at ACHS • Boiler • Boiler replacement at Polk Elementary • Installation of central air conditioning • Installation in offices at L.V. Moore • Clock system replacements at • Clock Harrison Elementary, Polk Elementary and Grace Wilday • Indoor and outdoor camera • Indoor installation at ACHS • Fence • Fence replacements districtwide A new digital sign is also being installed in the front of ACHS as part of our enhanced communication program, while the installation of air conditioning/ ventilation systems for the ACHS and Grace Wilday gyms is expected to take place next year.

Join Us on Social Media for the Latest RPS News! @RosellePublicSchools

@_RoselleSchools

@_RoselleSchools

Roselle Schools

Website: www.roselleschools.org 6

www.Facebook.com/RosellePublicSchools

Ram Tough in Roselle The importance of school athletics has not been lost during the pandemic. Sports provide an important opportunity for our students to engage with their teammates and coaches in person, while our district is offering virtual instruction. Remote learning requires students to engage in unique ways. Being a Roselle athlete is something our scholars can be proud of for their entire lives, which is why it was so vital to continue playing.

After the cancellation of sports last spring, the district worked to overcome many challenges to provide our students with fall athletic opportunities.

Girls tennis, soccer, cross country and football all completed a full regular season of competition. The girls tennis team as well as the

soccer and cross-country teams participated in the UCIAC County Championships. Our Roselle Rams football team also participated in the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) postseason. We are extremely proud of all our student athletes.

As of now, basketball and bowling are projected to begin in midJanuary with competition beginning Jan. 26. Track is projected to begin at the end of February. Please remember that the Roselle Public Schools must follow guidance from the State Department of Education, as well as Gov. Phil Murphy, so the winter athletics schedule is subject to change.

Whatever the case, our Rams will be ready.

Abraham Clark High School’s varsity soccer team

Students of the Month September 2020:

November 2020:

• Marcus Pierre, Preschool

• Mariana Copete-Reyes, Preschool

• Amari Wright, Kindergarten Success Academy

• Kendryck Desire, Kindergarten Success Academy

• Steven Mena, Harrison Elementary School

• Zyion Miller, Harrison Elementary School

• Aydin Custis-Echols, Dr. Charles C. Polk Elementary School

• Jaliyah Gaspard, Dr. Charles C. Polk Elementary School

• Jonas Bowen, Washington Elementary School

• Amy Araujo-Arango, Washington Elementary School

• Samuel Etienne, Leonard V. Moore Middle School

• Justice Guiterrez, Leonard V. Moore Middle School

• Anthony Ojeda, Grace Wilday Junior High School

• Daniel Pesantez-Espinoza, Grace Wilday Junior High School

• Kylie Ray Smith, Abraham Clark High School

• Genevieve Sarpong, Abraham Clark High School

October 2020:

December 2020:

• Jael Viola, Preschool

• Isaac Ramirez Pardo, Preschool

• Nathanael Lafortune, Kindergarten Success Academy

• Samantha Gochez, Kindergarten Success Academy

• Guillermo Osorio, Harrison Elementary School

• Xochitl Ramos-Duran, Harrison Elementary School

• Zakaree Thomas, Dr. Charles C. Polk Elementary School

• Franck Mpassi, Dr. Charles C. Polk Elementary School

• Matthew Ceesay, Washington Elementary School

• Krystlenicolle Babagay, Washington Elementary School

• Kamilah Ochoa-Diaz, Leonard V. Moore Middle School

• Mariah Antoine, Leonard V. Moore Middle School

• Priscilla Sarpong, Grace Wilday Junior High School

• Hector Marquez-Soto, Grace Wilday Junior High School

• Alexis Staten, Abraham Clark High School

• Christian Tony, Abraham Clark High School

December Student of the Month for Rotary Club of Roselle-Roselle Park was Alexis Staten from Abraham Clark High School.

www.RoselleSchools.org

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Former Board President Message

By Mrs. Delia Ware-Tibbs Hoping everyone had a blessed and safe holiday. As we move into 2021, the board continues to support the district as they assess the pandemic and the safety of students and staff.

As we reflect over the last year, through the pandemic and virtual meetings, the board continues to focus on the advancement of the district with the following accomplishments.

In July, we hired a permanent superintendent, Dr. Nathan L. Fisher, who has worked within the district for more than twenty years and has a vision to move the district forward both academically and as part of the community.

The teacher contract was settled and negotiations for the 20212024 contract are scheduled to begin in January 2021. Negotiation meetings also continue in an effort to ratify the administrator contract.

There have been continued upgrades to Arminio Field, which is open to the public for use between sunrise and sunset. The next phase is the construction of a fieldhouse which includes a concession stand and public restrooms.

Most importantly, the board continues to support district operations focused on academic achievement, equity and inclusion, and student health, safety and security.

We appreciate the continued support of our parents and community while the board, superintendent, administrators, teachers and staff manage through the pandemic keeping everyone’s safety top of mind. Our overall goal is the development of our future leaders.

We welcome to the Roselle Board of Education Dr. Atkins, Ms. Turnage, and Ms. Salters and look forward to working with you as members of the board. To our outgoing Board Members, Mr. Davis, Mr. Spearman, and Mr. Davis we appreciate all that you have done to support the school district, the students, and the community. Thank you!

Farewell to Outgoing Board of Education Members - Welcome to Our New Members In a year that has been full of uncertainties and new, uncharted territories, the administration would like to thank each and every one of the district’s Board of Education members for the endless support they have offered to the district in 2020.

We are lucky enough to continually have a Board of Education that comprises dedicated, hardworking residents who truly care about our scholars and the quality of education they receive.

They volunteer countless hours of their time on behalf of our students; their contributions are real, tangible and lasting.

At the BOE’s reorganization meeting that took place on Jan. 6, we say farewell to some very committed members and are pleased to warmly welcome three new members to our board.

Thank you to our outgoing members - Jonathan Davis, Jonathan Spearman and Lester Neal - for your time serving the district and its students. Being a member of the school board is no easy task and the administration is grateful for the important role you played. We hope you continue to volunteer for RPS; your public service is invaluable.

And allow us to welcome our new members, Cynthia Atkins, Ieesha Turnage and Jennifer Salters. The administration is excited to work closely with the 2021 Board of Education to ensure that the district is providing seamless instruction to all students as we move beyond this pandemic into brighter days.

Who’s on Board? Meet Your Board of Education Members

The Roselle Board of Education Dr. Courtney Washington

Mr. Rupert Pond

Dr. Nathan L. Fisher

Ms. Angela AlveyWimbush

Rev. Frances Teabout

Dr. Lissette-Gonzalez Perez

Rev. Jeffrey Bryan

Mrs. Delia Ware-Tibbs

2021-22 Board President

2021-22 Board Vice-President

2020 Board Vice-President

Board Member

Board Member

Assistant Superintendent

2020 Board President

New Board Members for 2021 Dr. Cynthia Atkins

Superintendent of Schools

Ms. Jennifer Salters

Ms. Ieesha Turnage

Produced by Jaffe Communications www.JaffeCom.com

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