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August 21, 2018

Dear Englewood Cliffs School Community,

I hope that you have enjoyed your summer break. On behalf of the Board of Education, the staff and I are very excited to welcome you back for the 2018-2019 school year! We have been working hard all summer updating and revising curriculum, undergoing major construction projects and hiring many new qualified staff  (new staff bios are attached). We are ready for school to begin on Wednesday, September 5th and cannot wait to greet the students—both new and returning.

Multiple major construction projects have been going on in both buildings over the summer. First, I am pleased to announce that for the first time, ALL classrooms in both North Cliff and Upper School will have air conditioning units that will be operational on the first day of school. I would like to thank LG Electronics, which is located in Englewood Cliffs, for their support of this project. The units are LG models and representatives from LG were on site consistently to ensure that all units operate efficiently. Second, substantial work has been completed on the Upper School field project. At this point, the field has been hydroseeded. The grass will need time to take root and grow, and we expect the soccer, baseball and softball fields to be ready for play by September 2019. In the meantime, the field will be fenced off and closed to all activity. Third, a new playground at Upper School has been purchased and will be installed prior to the end of the summer. I am confident that our students will enjoy experimenting with all the activities the new custom playground has to offer. Fourth, both gyms at Upper School have new LED lights. Additionally, the lower gym at Upper School now has custom padding to ensure the safety of all students and before the end of the year, we will have the ceiling tiles painted in the lower gym. Special thanks to the Recreation Committee of the Englewood Cliffs Borough Council and the Mayor and Council for the purchase of two new scoreboards, one for each gym. We are grateful for their support of our athletic facilities, which benefit our students and all residents who participate in recreation programs.  Lastly, I am proud to announce the complete renovation of the faculty room bathrooms at Upper School. I am tremendously proud of the significant improvements we have been able to make to our facilities, and we will continue to make enhancements in the future to ensure that our staff and students have the best facilities.

Please remember that attendance matters. Even one day of missed school, excused or unexcused, can have negative academic consequences for your child. As noted in prior years, the Englewood Cliffs School District complies with the requirements for attendance set forth by the state and Department of Education regarding guidance for reporting student absences and calculating chronic absenteeism. Our policies are in accordance with N.J.A.C. 6A:16-7.6. State law and regulations require that the districts strive for a ninety percent daily student attendance rate; that the Board determine which categories of absences to excuse; and that the district create and implement a system to identify and address patterns of unexcused absences.  As an example, students cannot attend school fewer than 162 days, or this will have an impact on promotion to the next grade.  Three tardies equals one absence. Attached for your review is policy and regulation 5200. The principal, Mrs. Tauchert, will be sending out required forms on Genesis later this week. At that time, you will need to acknowledge that you understand these policies. Only after all forms are completed will Genesis release students’ schedules.  Please read all information carefully.

Furthermore, I would also like to remind you about the management of allergies in school.  In accordance with policy 5331, it states that all baked goods sent in for classroom parties or celebrations must be packaged with an ingredient label attached. Any baked goods without a label will be restricted from the classrooms. Attached for your review is the policy.

I am extremely eager for the start of the school year. The staff, students, and community are truly wonderful, and I am very proud to be superintendent in a district where everyone values education. We have achieved so much already, as noted by our 11th place ranking in the state. As we all work together, the Englewood Cliffs School District will continue to soar to new heights. Thank you all for your support of our students at home, and in the community. I look forward to seeing each of you soon.  

Very Truly Yours,

Ms. Jennifer Brower

Superintendent of Schools

Englewood Cliffs School District

201-567-6151 ext. 222