A Message From the Superintendent

Dr. Barbara Sargent

Much has been reported about potential gaps in student learning due to interrupted schooling. Parsippany students were so fortunate to have a consistent year of learning in 2020-21. Our schools opened on time, remained consistently open all year, transitioned away from a Week A/Week B model so all students could attend school every day in person, and concluded the year with a full day schedule. We provided several summer programs to enrich and support students in areas of literacy and mathematics. We also organized many orientations at the schools to welcome children back and reinforce a safe and inviting learning environment.

Once the school year began, students were assessed in areas of mathematics, literacy, and science. Some of this was connected to the state-mandated Start Strong assessments and some was part of district benchmark assessments. Our Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, Dr. Denis Mulroony, presented an overview of these assessment results at the December 16th Board of Education meeting. The Start Strong presentation is posted on the district website. While some students need support in areas of reading and mathematics, results indicate that most students are performing at grade level. We are confident that keeping students engaged with rich math and literacy instruction, encouraging independent reading at home, and reinforcing consistent attendance will yield strong results. In addition to academics, the district is also monitoring students’ social/emotional learning and mental health. It comes as no surprise that students at all grade levels began the school year exhibiting neurodevelopmental delays in areas such as school readiness, conflict resolution, critical and abstract thinking skills, and a clear sense of right and wrong. It’s an important reminder of the critical role of schooling in fostering these necessary behaviors. All schools are providing opportunities to support students with social-emotional learning, including special peer groups, direct lessons in conflict resolution, advisory meetings, and morning circle time to greet and check in with students. The district is infusing numerous opportunities for student leadership to teach and reinforce cooperation, public speaking, and student advocacy. I am confident that important gains will be made in these areas as our students spend more time engaged in consistent, stable, and caring interactions with educators and peers.

As we move through the winter and spring months, we’re confident that our Parsippany students will continue to thrive, both academically and socially. From rich classroom instruction to extracurricular opportunities like clubs and theater and service learning to athletics, there are a wealth of experiences to support and reinvigorate our students . Best wishes to you all for a Happy and Healthy New Year!

Parsippany Area Chamber of Commerce (PACC) welcomes new member, Timothy Berrios, On Call Computer Services. They understand your technology frustrations. They are a small business too. Their Small Business IT Support service can deliver over 30 years of experience which is tailored to your small business needs and budget. On Call Computer Services will provide the right mix of people, technology, and processes that works for you. On Call Computer Services can provide you with: • IT Support • IT Consulting • Computer Services • Data Backup Solutions • Server Support • Cloud Solutions for Business • Email Spam Solutions You can reach Tim by calling (201) 406-6978

Inside Parsippany Sheraton Hotel

Since its introduction in 1911, the Eagle Scout rank has been earned by more than two million young men. Only 5% of the Boy Scouts actually earn this rank.

Arnov began planning his Eagle Project in late 2019 when he reached out to Celebrate the Children, a school for students with special learning needs. He and the school’s representative, Mrs. Cheri Alexander, decided to install fitness stations along a walking path on the school’s campus.

This was to ensure students could participate in physical activity when they were outside, being able to engage in exercises such as pull-ups, push-ups, sit-ups, and dips. It also contributed to the campus’s aesthetically pleasing array of eagle projects.

Arnov got approval for the project, budgeted, and fundraised online with the help of his parents. He oversaw the assembly of the fitness apparatuses, dug holes in the ground, and anchored the stations with concrete. With the help of many volunteers and school authorities, he was able to complete the project in November 2020 despite the numerous roadblocks created

by the unprecedented situation of the COVID pandemic affecting the entire world.

Neil began the process of his Eagle Scout Project in February 2021, reaching out to Cheri Alexander of Celebrate the Children, a non-profit school for children living with autism, and other challenges in relating and communicating. After touring the grounds of the school and being introduced to some of the challenges that students face, Ms. Alexander gave some pointers on where he could help. He opted to build and install two fitness stations: a pull-up station and a balance beam station, to aid in developing motor skills in children, as many attending students lack these. Additionally, he opted to build and install four benches along a small trail, overlooking the lake and surrounding trees, shrubs, and flower bushes. This will be used for many purposes: an area to host small classes when weather is appropriate, given COVID-19 recommendations to gather outdoors; allow a seating area for students to develop their fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination by painting the