Metuchen School District

May 26, 2023 Good morning! The entire district staff is hard at work today: presenting and attending important professional workshops. I hope this message finds you well – and enjoying the start of a long weekend that is safe and restful. Many parents have outstanding lunch balances. All have already been contacted by the school offices. You need to pay your balances, totaling thousands across the district. Communicate with the school offices if you have any questions or concerns. Thank you for your cooperation. I was astounded this week at the number of items in the various lost-and-found areas. Please encourage your children to collect their items and if they don’t use them, they should consider donating them. Many items looked to be in good shape. Thanks. Don’t forget to complete the Rutgers Reading form and to collect your tickets for one of two Rutgers football games in the fall. See the Wednesday mailer for more information. This week, Moss School was honored as a 2023 state and national school of character. Congratulations to all stakeholders: staff, parents, and students. We are so proud! In my remarks to staff today, I will share how I remain “determined and optimistic.” Thanks for making Metuchen a great community and a great school district. Talk soon. Dr. Vincent Caputo, Superintendent of Schools

May 19, 2023 Good afternoon. Rutgers University is encouraging K-8 students to read - and is offering free student ticket and discounted parent tickets to Wagner or Michigan State home football games in the fall. Completing the form here: https://app.scarletknights.com/RUReading, and go RU!!! Just like in the winter, when it’s cold and some parents keep their cars running to stay warm, as now that the weather is warming, some parents are idling their cars to keep cool. We’d remind you that schools are no idling zones. Help us keep the students, staff, and neighbors exhaust-free at arrival and dismissal. Thanks. Mental health is a high priority for us. The public supported us in 2019 with the ballot question to add staff and hire outside mental health clinicians. We said at the time that physical health requires nurses in schools, and likewise mental health requires clinicians. Thanks to your support with have a thriving mental health program now. As part of our on-going efforts to continually improve, I facilitated a forum today that brought together expertise from the district and from our outside providers. If you or someone you know is struggling, please contact us right away. As part of our partnership with ASCD we have a total of six free 90-minute live webinars, Metuchen and ASCD are going to offer one of the workshops for the staff and community. The workshop is focused on best practices for establishing Equity and Cultural Competence in the classroom. This webinar is scheduled for is Monday, May 22nd. As many as 40 staff and community members can attend. The time of the virtual event is 3:45 – 5:15 pm. This is the first time ASCD is piloting providing their workshop on equity in the classroom for any community. The full title of the workshop is Equity and Cultural Competence: Belonging. Here is the signup link: https://forms.gle/GqoKJER4A9b8N43d7 Have a great weekend! Dr. Vincent Caputo, Superintendent of Schools

May 12, 2023 Hello there. I hope this message finds you and your family doing well. It sure feels like summer! Today is the hottest May 12 on record! On Tuesday night, the Board hired Greyhawk, Inc. as construction manager for the project. We are doing everything to be fiscally responsible with the referendum money and to ensure the project goes as smooth as possible. The electrical package will be bid first due to long lead times. Then the bid package schedule includes early fall for Edgar/Moss and late fall for MHS/Campbell. We expect construction to start next winter. Visit our website or click the link here to view the recently-released 21-22 School Performance Reports: https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/1203/MSD/3022918/SchoolPerformanceReports_LetterParents_21-22.pdf Parent partnerships are critical to the success of all students. Today we had a highly engaging and productive forum to leverage parent partnerships to support educators under fire. Thanks for your continued support. Happy Mother’s Day! Dr. Vincent Caputo, Superintendent of Schools

May 5, 2023 Good afternoon! Our motto for the 22-23 school year is "Determined and Optimistic." We remain determined to provide the best possible educational experience for the students and the most positive work environment for our staff. I am very optimistic that, with the support of our parents and the larger community, we can be role models for inclusivity and kindness. Thanks in advance for anything that you can do to teach, model, and celebrate kindness in the district and the borough. Be on the lookout for emails and calls about existing lunch balances. During COVID, food services providers received reimbursement funds, which allowed all students to get free lunch. That program has long-since ended. If you believe that you or someone you know qualifies for free lunch please contact us. Otherwise, we need you pay the lunch balances. There's a lot going on: maybe you forgot or just didn't get to it yet. Thanks for your attention to this issue. Coming soon will be re-registration. All rising fifth and ninth graders will need to register this summer. We'll also be updating our documentation for some other students too. Details and dates will be released shortly. May is music month in Metuchen. Check the school calendars and social media for details, but here are the dates of performances that I added to my calendar: 5/15, 5/16, 5/17, 5/22, and 5/24 (all at MHS at 7pm), plus jazz on the plaza on 6/7. It's getting to be post-season time for high school sports. I can't tell you how often coaches and student-athletes comment when there are good crowds at their contests. They really notice. Please come out and root hard for our Bulldogs. And remember to be good hosts to opposing schools - and kind to the officials. Thanks. What are you doing Saturday afternoon? Come see one of our newest sports as MHS flag football hosts several schools. Our Bulldogs are fast and talented and are aiming for a playoff spot. Have a great weekend. It looks as if the weather is going to cooperate. Be kind - and stay determined and optimistic. Dr. Vincent Caputo, Superintendent of Schools

I hope this message finds you well. As you already know, nothing is more important that student and staff safety. All schools in New Jersey conduct two drills every month (one fire drill and one safety drill). Recently, in addition to these drills, we have had two shelters-in-place (for student/staff injuries) and two police-initiated lockdowns. We know these situations can produce anxiety for students, staff and parents. The administration enjoys an excellent relationship with the Metuchen Police Department. Chief Flaherty and I are leading a debriefing session next week to continue to collaborate about best practices around school safety. Thanks for your understanding and support. MHS graduation is set for Friday, June 23. We have no flexibility with the date since we need to book outside vendors for Project Graduation. But several years ago, we decoupled graduation from the last day of school by scheduling make-up snow days at the end. This year, we have not yet used any of these days. Therefore, barring any unforeseen circumstances, the last day of school will be Tuesday, June 20. If this remains the case, then the last three days (June 15, 19, and 20) are early dismissal days for students. The district is closed on Friday June 16 for Juneteenth. Thanks and have a great (and soggy) weekend. Dr. Vincent Caputo

Our phones are working again. Thanks for your patience. VCaputo

The district is not receiving calls from the outside. Please email us. We'll update when we have an estimated repair time. Sorry for the inconvenience Dr Caputo

March 31, 2023 Good afternoon. I hope this email finds you well and preparing for a well-deserved break. This has been an eventful week in a turbulent time. We saw dozens killed and injured in fierce storms. We saw the former president indicted on criminal charges. And we saw the unfathomable tragedy of children and educators murdered in their school. As a society, how long can we accept these massacres?! Our children are unfortunately targets because they mean so very much to our communities. The lockdown at Edgar this week was anxiety-producing for many. The most important way to protect them is through open and timely communication among the community, schools and law enforcement. We will do everything to keep them safe! It's tough being a parent and a child. Children want to learn and grow and explore and enjoy. As parents we want our kids safe and protected everywhere and at all times. Any time one of my kids fell, I was famous for exclaiming, "Ooh - you alright? you ok?" My family lovingly still reminds me of my over-protective instincts. This weekend - hug and love those close to you. And to those who aren't as close, or to folks you don't even know, how about we all try exhibiting some extra kindness? The world could certainly use some more. Reach out if there is anything that I can do, or that the schools can do. See you soon. Dr. Vincent Caputo, Superintendent of Schools

Another proud day for Metuchen! So excited to share that Metuchen has won the 2023 Great American Main Street Award! Our friends at the Borough and Metuchen Downtown Alliance wanted to be sure to thank students and faculty for loving local and supporting our small businesses! It's a great day for Metuchen and New Jersey to recognized in this national honor!

March 24, 2023 Good afternoon. Happy Spring! Our Extended School Year program this summer will run Monday to Thursday from July 10 to August 10. Parents of eligible students will receive an invitation to sign-up for this program. All parents should look for our Metuchen Summer Institute information coming out soon. We have college prep programs, AP Edge courses, transition programs, and more. The Metuchen Public School District is hosting a Parent Workshop Event on April 12, 2023 entitled, "Having Hope: Suicide Prevention for Parents/Caregivers." The event, presented through Effective School Solutions, will be accessible on Zoom. Click this LINK and go to the website: https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/1203/MHS/2883970/Having_Hope_Suicide_Prevention_for_Parents-Caregivers.pdf to view the flyer for this event. Come see the Footlighters’ production of Mamma Mia: tonight at 7pm, tomorrow at 7pm, and Sunday at 2pm, all at MHS. Have a nice weekend. Dr. Vincent Caputo, Superintendent of Schools

March 17, 2023 Good afternoon and Happy St. Patrick’s Day. This week we reported zero COVID cases. While the risk is certainly not over, I’ll stop including the data in my weekly messages. We will, however, continue to publish the data on the website: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1HJBfw5N80np9BODCB1uk4LNSaOVQWvbf/edit We are proud to highlight Myndful, which is a mental health resource navigating tool. Just yesterday, Ashvin, JJ, and Sid presented to nearly 150 statewide educational leaders at the NJASCD Whole Child Conference. Myndful is an impressive tool created by Metuchen High School students for Metuchen High School students: https://www.metuchenschools.org/o/mhs/page/myndful The Metuchen Downtown Alliance is doing a video shoot on Main Street this Saturday at 11:00am sharp. This will be a celebration shot if Metuchen wins the Great American Main Street Award on the 27th (but this video is being filmed this Saturday, the 18th). We know Metuchen is the best, so we are going to win!!! Everybody that loves and supports our downtown is invited to be part of this video. If you are free tomorrow at 11:00am, come down with your friends and family to participate in the celebration video! This section of the street will be temporarily closed, so you can wait under the train bridge anytime between 10:00 and 11:00. Hope to see you there. With gratitude, Dr. Vincent Caputo, Superintendent of Schools

The PTO Night Out is May 5th. Be on the look-out for more information. VC

March 3, 2023 Good afternoon. This week we reported just one case of COVID: MHS=0, Edgar=1, Campbell=0, and Moss=0. Today, I attended the MHS MILE program gala/luncheon, where students honored those in the community who provide internships. This was a great event celebrating the partnership of the district, the borough, and Metuchen businesses – all to support our students. Thanks to everyone involved. It was a wonderful event. Next Wednesday night beginning at 7pm at Edgar School is the MEF-sponsored EMS Science Fair. Come out to support our student scientists. Speaking of the MEF, please hold the date for their annual fundraiser, April 21st at the Metuchen Inn. Also, keep open June 5th for the PTO Night Out. These and other organizations enhance the experiences for staff and students in Metuchen. We are grateful for their partnerships. Our lecture series, Celebrating Our Experts, continues next Thursday at 3:30 at MHS. Staff, students, and community members are invited to attend as our ELA and social studies supervisor, Lou Manziano, shares their presentation on LGBTQ+ representation in schools. Come to learn and stay for dessert! This month’s lecture is sponsored by What’s The Scoop. Sincerely, Dr. Vincent Caputo, Superintendent of Schools

February 24, 2023 Good morning. This week we reported 11 COVID cases across the district. The breakdown by school was MHS=4, Edgar=5, Campbell=2, and Moss=0. At last week's open board Construction Committee meeting, our architects made a presentation. You can review the slides here: https://sites.google.com/view/metuchenreferendum2022?utm_source=Google+Site&utm_medium=Google+Site&utm_campaign=Referendum+ Metuchen Public Schools Public Presentations sites.google.com  Our winter track athletes continue their seasons - and this weekend we have three wrestlers participating in the state wrestling tournament. What an accomplishment! Good luck. Come out and support our Edgar students as they present Honk, Jr. tonight at 7pm, tomorrow at 7pm, and Sunday at 2pn, all at the Metuchen High School Auditorium. Sincerely Dr. Vincent Caputo Superintendent of Schools

February 17, 2023 Good afternoon! This week, we reported 22 cases of COVID: 13 at MHS, 6 at Edgar, 2 at Campbell, and 1 at Moss. We had a busy and productive week with the architects as we move closer to having final plans to send to the NJDOE. Wednesday night was an open meeting of the Construction Committee with a presentation from the architect, including initial renderings of what the new spaces could look like. We will share this information on our construction website. The board will continue to provide updates as part of the committee reports at each board meeting. The next open meeting of the Construction Committee will be on April 24. All are welcome. I had the best morning today. Several meetings got postponed so I was able to attend the Science Fair in Ms. Dybas’ self-contained class at MHS. Oh my gosh – I was so impressed by the science, the sharing (including excellent tri-fold boards), and the collaboration with the student role models in the Unified Program. I am so proud of all the students involved and so happy and grateful for the teachers and paraprofessionals. Thanks for making my day! Have a great weekend. Remember, schools are closed on Monday. See everyone back here on Tuesday! Dr. Vincent Caputo, Superintendent of Schools

February 10, 2023 Good afternoon and happy school counselors week. I hope this message finds you and your family well. This week we reported 27 cases of COVID: 10 at MHS, 8 at Edgar, 9 at Campbell, and 0 at Moss. I know it’s only February. And I know we have so many exciting events in the interim, but two of the big ones are the Edgar Promotion on June 19 at 6pm and the MHS Graduation on June 23 at 5pm. Mark your calendars. As we head into the weekend, please keep in your thoughts the people of Turkey (and bordering areas of Syria) and their families there and here in the USA, as they deal with an unimaginable loss of life and an emerging humanitarian disaster. Again, thanks to Rutgers University, another large contingent of Metuchen staff and their guests are able to attend a sporting event - this time, the sold-out wrestling match tonight. Go RU. Come out for Winter Candyland tonight at MHS (and help support Project Graduation). Edgar students and staff – have fun at the dance tonight. And finally, good luck to our winter teams in their post-season quests. Dr. Vincent Caputo, Superintendent of Schools

February 3, 2023 Happy Friday! This week we reported 43 cases of COVID: 10 at MHS, 11 at Edgar, 19 at Campbell, 2 at Moss, and 1 additional case. The Winter Candyland tickets pre-sale has been extended until next Tuesday. SIGN UP HERE or visit the site: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdoQsWa14Yxpxqzy_lJA5eqg8mXjFmLQWN9kEXQvXFydMfWbg/viewform for this amazing deal; otherwise you can pay at the door. Join us on February 10 at MHS between 5-10pm for pancakes, hot chocolate, popcorn, arts and crafts, face painting, and much more! Help support our seniors so they can have an awesome Project Graduation. Our lecture series, Celebrating Our Experts, continues next Thursday, February 9, at 3:30pm at MHS. Staff, students, and parents are invited to learn about the published Waksman Scholars research of MH students, April McClane and Arjun Gupta. Refreshments for the series are sponsored by Wegmans, Fresco by Jimmy, and What’s the Scoop. We need more substitutes. Please consider getting your sub certification so you can help us by filling in for teachers, paraprofessionals, or secretaries. Contact Carolyn Taylor in my office. She will guide you through the process. Rutgers basketball for me this weekend: Saturday at Madison Square Garden for the men, and then Sunday at Jersey Mike’s Arena with a couple hundred friends, Metuchen staff and their guests, as part of the Play4Kay women’s basketball game, fighting women’s cancers. Have a great weekend. Stay warm. Dr. Vincent Caputo, Superintendent of Schools

January 27, 2023 Hello and happy Friday! This week, we reported 22 COVID cases. The school-by-school breakdown was as follows: MHS=4, Edgar=6, Campbell=9, and Moss=3. The Campbell 4th Grade Art Show Closing Reception is today, Friday January 27 between 3:00 and 6:30pm at St. Luke’s. There is amazing artwork to check out! And don’t forget about the Winter Candyland Family Fun Event happening on Friday, February 10 at MHS between 5:00-10:00pm. Presale ticketing ends January 31. Get your tickets here or by going to the Google Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdoQsWa14Yxpxqzy_lJA5eqg8mXjFmLQWN9kEXQvXFydMfWbg/viewform Have a great weekend. Dr. Vincent Caputo, Superintendent of Schools

January 27, 2023, 3:31pm More amazing district news!!! Moss School is a New Jersey State School of Character (again)!!! Congratulations to Mr. Cohen and all the staff members who make Moss such a great place! Dr. Vincent Caputo, (proud) superintendent of schools

January 20, 2023 Hello and Happy Friday! I hope this message finds you well. This week we reported 23 cases of COVID, with a school-by-school breakdown as follows: MHS=4, Edgar=6. Campbell=11, and Moss=2. Did You Know: The Board of Education has a Construction Committee that meets at least every month, and sometimes more often. They have designated the following dates as open-to-the-public committee meetings with the architect, at the media center at MHS at 7pm: 2/15, 4/24, 6/26, 8/21, 10/16, and 12/11. This month is School Board Member Recognition Month. We have an excellent Board of Education. These are elected but volunteer positions. Our board members spend countless hours ensuring that the district is well run, and always have our stakeholders’ best interests at heart. Have a nice weekend. Stay healthy and enjoy the next round of the NFL playoffs. Dr. Vincent Caputo, Superintendent of Schools