Monday, August 29, 2022

Hoboken Public Education Foundation Donates $358K To District- Including Orton Gillingham Program (!)

HOBOKEN, NJ — As part of its mission to strengthen and enrich the public education experience for public school students, the Hoboken Public Education Foundation (HPEF) has donated $358,000 to help support the district.

During its Aug. 22 meeting, the Hoboken Board of Education voted to accept the funding and will distribute it as follows:


  • K-8 Field Trips, Elementary & Middle School Levels: $80,000
  • College Tours, High School Level: $10,000
  • Professional Development/Retreat, District: $10,000
  • HMS Theater Production, Middle School Level: $10,000
  • Orton Gillingham Training*, Elementary Level: $40,000
  • Urban Gardens, Elementary & Middle School Levels: $51,000
  • Family Connections Night, District: $75,000
  • Rachel’s Challenge, Middle & High School Levels: $10,000
  • Debate Program Expansion, High School Level: $20,000
  • Supplies (Hydroponics), District: $52,000

In July 2010, a US Department of Education agency reported that it could not find any studies meeting its evidence standards to support the efficacy of Orton-Gillingham based strategies.

According to a review of the literature in 2008, the efficacy of Orton Gillingham training was yet to be established.

The Florida Center for Reading Research reported in 2006 that it was unable to identify any empirical studies examining the efficacy of the approach specifically as described in Orton-Gillingham training materials.

Prompted by cuts in state aid to public schools in New Jersey, a group of Hoboken mothers decided to launch a non-profit in August 2015 as a way to collect donations in support of specific programs within the schools.

More information on the Hoboken Public Education Foundation as well as past and future plans can be found at this link: https://www.tapinto.net/towns/hoboken/sections/education/articles/hoboken-public-education-foundation-donates-358k-to-district


 

Friday, August 19, 2022

Hoboken School District - American Rescue Plan ESSER III

The American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act provides $122 billion in funding to states and school districts to facilitate the reopening and sustain the safe operation of schools. The Hoboken Public School District was fortunate to receive a total allocation of $5,810,582 to use in the areas of:


  • Resources for principals to provide resources that are needed to address individual school needs
  • Supplies to sanitize and clean the facilities
  • Planning for and coordinating during long-term closures
  • Educational technology purchasing
  • Repairs on school facilities and upgrades to operations & protocols to reduce the risk of virus transmission
  • Maintenance, testing, inspection, repair, replacement and upgrade projects to improve indoor air quality
  • Other activities necessary to maintain the operation of and continuity of services

November 3, 2021 The Hoboken Public School District hosted small group sessions at 9:00 AM, 1:00 PM and 7:00 PM for stakeholders on November 3, 2021. The agenda for these meetings was as follows:

 

  • Introductions
  • What is ESSER III
  • What is Hoboken’s Total Grant Allocation?
  • What are Hoboken’s Sub Grant Allocations?
  • What are Hoboken Public School’s Thoughts About Spending?
  • What Input Do You Have?
  • Closure

  • On November 8, 2021 the Hoboken Public School District hosted small group sessions at 10:00 AM, 1:00 PM and 6:00 PM for stakeholders. The agenda for these meetings was as follows:

  • Introductions
  • Review of ESSER & Our Allocations
  • Review of Initial District Intent on Spending
  • Review of Input from Stakeholders
  • Finalization of Grant
  • Can the Grant be Changed and What is the Process?
  • Closure

  

The following brainstorming document remained on the website for stakeholders to continue providing input until the grant was submitted on November 23, 2021

 

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Pf9cy8hlIi_Yvp_VBhOHTpqfFqOuIsXiZbHsryaNiFo/edit

 

ESSR III Presentation for the Hoboken School District 

 

Budget Proposed for ESSER III


Wednesday, August 17, 2022

Hoboken School District's Next Community Roundtable Discussion Set For Aug. 24- By KIMBERLY REDMOND

HOBOKEN, NJ — After a $241 million plan to build a new high school in Hoboken was rejected by voters in a January special election, school officials are continuing to seek community feedback to help guide their next steps.





Aug. 24 (1 p.m. virtually and 7 p.m. in-person)

Sept. 14 (10 a.m. virtually and 6 p.m. in person)


Part of that effort has included a series of roundtable meetings with the public “to provide valuable information” and “to answer questions about the budget, enrollment, current facilities, programs and accomplishments.”

So far, the district has held two sessions and plans to host two more:

All in-person meetings will be held at Hoboken High School. Click here for information on how to register. 

The district kicked off the series in May, when it hosted six roundtable meetings specifically meant for district parents and guardians.

School Board President Sharyn Angley recently told TAPInto Hoboken officials have received “very positive” feedback during the sessions.

“Attendees have come with varying levels of knowledge with regard to district enrollment, facilities, programs, budget, etc. which has sparked some great questions and conversation. The small group format gives everyone the opportunity to participate in the discussion which is beneficial to all in attendance,” she also said.

Between March and April, the school board conducted a survey to gather input on the referendum and proposed project.

From an initial review of the questionnaire — which had almost 1,200 respondents from all six wards in Hoboken — the board said it picked up on a few themes, including the cost, necessity of the project and public amenities included in the plan. Many also said there are specific aspects of the district’s long-range facilities plan, including the new high school, on which they would like more information.

The proposed new high school — which was rejected by a margin of two to one in the Jan. 25 election — would have resulted in an estimated $500 per year increase in property taxes for the next 30 years.

Those who supported the measure pointed to the proposed amenities — such as a football stadium, theater, ice rink and swimming pool — as ones available in many suburban districts, while also touting the twenty-seven general classrooms, eight science labs, and six special education classrooms that were to be included.

Opponents argued that the money would be better spent on increasing teacher salaries, buying new technology and concentrating on improving student test scores. Some also expressed concern over the rollout of the proposal, claiming it lacked transparency.

Following the failed referendum, the board cannot post a new school plan for at least one calendar year.