Upcoming Events
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June 9
Flag Day
June 14
Summer Reading Club sign-up begins
June 15
Minimum Day for students
June 17
Minimum and Last Day for Students
June 18
Last Day for Teachers
June 19
Father's Day
June 21
BOE Meeting
June 23
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Franklin Lakes Public Schools
School News and Views May, 2015
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Dear Community Members,
In keeping with the old adage, May definitely came in like a lion and is going out like a lamb. Warm days lend themselves nicely to bringing our classroom experiences outdoors, and our schools are certainly exciting places to be.
In this issue of School News & Views, you will be able to glimpse into classrooms to learn about some of the wonderful things our students are doing. From Pre-K insect exploration to the Mini-Model Congress simulation, there is no stopping our young learners. The month of May has been full of art shows, concerts, competitions, and demonstrations of learning. One of the most prominent of these demonstrations is Colonial Day, celebrated at each of our elementary schools. But, our students didn't stop there! The Simple Machines Carnival project, You Be the Chemist competition, and the Oregon Trail Writers Workshop took place, as did orientation for incoming 6th Grade and Kindergarten families, where many of our older students gave tours to younger students.
All of our schools were represented at the Franklin Lakes Memorial Day Parade. Thank you to all of our participating students, parents, staff, and Board, who participated, as the borough honored those who gave their lives in service to our country.
Administrators and teachers are participating in the revision process for our K-8 Science Curriculum and four of our outstanding teachers were honored as Bergen County Teacher Recognition recipients. Congratulations to Ms. Christine Rizzi for Colonial Road School, Ms. Eileen Antonison for Franklin Avenue Middle School, Ms. Robin Smolenski for High Mountain Road School, and Ms. Jessica Colligan for Woodside Avenue School. Each year, recipients are recognized at the first May Board of Education Meeting as well as honored alongside fellow Bergen County educators at a County luncheon.
May was a busy month full of worthy and wonderful activities. Please enjoy this issue of School News & Views.
 Sincerely, Lydia Furnari Lydia Furnari, Ed.D. Superintendent of Schools |
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How We Connect
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FL Board of Education
The Franklin Lakes School District announces it has information available for citizens interested in running for a seat on the board of education. There will be a total of 5 vacancies in the November 3, 2015 Annual School Election. There will be 3 full terms available that each run for three years. In addition, there are 2 unexpired terms with one year remaining. Candidates must declare on their nominating petition which term (Full or Unexpired) they are seeking.
A nominating petition is the document that candidates must complete to get their name on the ballot for the Annual School Election. The current deadline to submit the nominating petition is 4 p.m. Monday, July 27, 2015. State law requires that all Bergen County nominating petitions be delivered to the Bergen County Clerk located at the Bergen County Clerk Election Division, One Bergen County Plaza, Room 130, Hackensack, N.J. 07601.
Prospective school board candidates can obtain information online at www.njsba.org. Published by the New Jersey School Boards Association, this website includes information about legal qualifications for school board candidacy and the role of the school board member. Information about the New Jersey School Ethics Act and important dates in the school election process are also included.
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District News
Curriculum & Instruction: Science Curriculum Review
We are excited to announce that the revision of our Science curriculum in Kindergarten through 8th grade to meet the  requirements of the Next Generation Science Standards is underway. The Science Curriculum Review Committee is made up of over 30 members representing a cross sample of Science and LA teachers as well as Enrichment, Discovery, Literacy Development, and Art. The revision will further encourage students to interact with new knowledge and obtain a deeper understanding of Science content. The curriculum is being written to involve engineering design challenges, extensive lab activities and project-based learning, all supported by strong print and digital resources.
The Next Generation Science Standards were written to encompass the demands of a 21st century workforce. Through collaboration, problem solving, critical thinking and engineering design, students will not only gain a deeper understanding of Science content, but also engage in higher level thinking. In our  21st century world, technology changes at a rapid pace. The advancement of technology continues to open new careers and lines of study in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). Encouraging students to learn scientific and engineering processes prepares them for future careers and enables them to adapt to new STEM concepts as lifelong learners.
Thus far, the Science Curriculum Revision Committee has vertically articulated all units of study in Kindergarten through 8th grade and created a District-wide engineering design process and scientific method to utilize in every classroom. The committee will continue to meet through next year, undertaking significant work to complete suggested revisions and formalize all curricular documents to reflect the new standards.
Curriculum & Instruction: Summer Reading Fun
The District is pleased to team up with the Franklin Lakes Library to promote and support the 2015 Summer Reading Club. Please see the article in the FL Library section below for further information.
Technology: FAMS Student Laptops
It's been a very successful year at FAMS in regard to our 1:1 student laptop initiative. From the implementation process in September to the industrious, ongoing classroom integration by our teachers, we could not be more satisfied and proud. The work that both our students and teachers have done this year has exceeded our expectations.
We will be collecting student laptops at the end of the school year. At that time, it is mandatory that each student returns his/her computer in its cases along with both parts of the charger. Computers will be inspected for damage. Any damage caused by negligence, defacing and/or any missing components (cases or charger) will result in a charge. Eighth grade laptops will be collected on June 9th, seventh grade laptops on June 15th and sixth grade laptops on June 16th.
You may use PayForIt.net to make your $70.00 insurance payment for the 2015-2016 school year. You can use PayForIt.net to pay online with a credit card or check or drop off/mail a check to the Board of Education at 490 Pulis Avenue, Franklin Lakes, NJ 07417. All checks should be made out to the Franklin Lakes Board of Education (FLBOE).
Click here for full payment directions. Abbreviated directions to use PayForIt are shown below:
* Go to PayForIt.net in your browser
* Click 'Sign Up For an Account' and create your new Guardian Account
* Enter payment information
* Complete user information
* Complete account activation
* Log in, then add your child(ren) to your account.
* Put your mouse over the 'Add/View Students' tab, select 'Add Student' and then fill in the required information. Your child's student ID number can be found in Genesis Parent Access, on the current 6th and 7th graders' laptop case ID tag or by calling the school.
* Make payment
You can always access the 1:1 Parent/Guardian & Student Technology Handbook on the District website under Administration->Information Technology->FLSD Technology Policies->1:1 Parent/ Guardian & Student Technology Handbook.
Business & Operations: Professional Sharing/Development
Our School Business Administrator, Mr. Mike Solokas, is an active member of the BCASBO (Bergen County Association of School Business Officials). This professional group meets monthly to discuss best practices, procurement updates, new legislation, professional development offerings, financial reporting requirements, and opportunities for shared services. One example of the latter is the establishment of a joint banking consortium, with districts pooling their deposits to obtain higher interest rates. Mr. Solokas is also a member of the NJASBO (NJ Association of School Business Officials), which meets annually to discuss many of the same issues on a state-wide level.
Special Services: Little Nature Explorers
Miss Reilly's and Mrs. Scrivanich's Bright Horizon's preschool class is learning all about creepy crawly insects! They have learned the body parts of an insect. Did you know that insects have 6 legs?! If you are not sure if the creepy crawly you found  is an insect, make sure to count their legs! They also have a head, thorax and abdomen. Some insects may have wings and antenna. Our little Nature Explorers are pairing up with a friend to explore the halls of HMR to find insects. When they find one, they bring it back to the classroom, examine it, and use their words to describe the insect. We will have a great Nature Explorers' Journal to share with our families and Book Buddies when we have finished our exploration and observations.
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FAMS News
FAMS: You Be The Chemist:
The You Be The Chemist Challenge� is a national academic contest that encourages grade 5-8 students to explore importantchemistry and STEM concepts and their real-world applications. FAMS has participated in this national club for the past 7 years. Our annual local challenge was a great day for FAMS. Thirty students from four Bergen County schools competed, with ten students continuing on to the state level. Our students earned five of those ten spots and one of two alternate spots.
We continued to meet and prepare for the state challenge, which included 30 competitors from three counties.. Four FAMS students made it into the top ten and one made it to the top four!
 Ronnie Millet earned second runner up. All participants received a certificate and a gift and some earned trophies and gift cards. Adviser/teacher Mrs. Kerri Mora and the entire District community could not be more proud of the hard work and dedication of these students.
FAMS: Mini-Model Congress
Mrs. Sharon Milano's 8th grade Academic Challenge and Enrichment (A.C.E.) students recently travelled to Trenton to participate in the annual Mini-Model Congress held at the State House Annex. The students participated in a one-day simulation of the legislative process by which bills become law. Our students had the opportunity to engage students from other participating districts from around the state in debate and discussion of the merits of various bills before casting their final votes. Many students from FAMS received awards for "Excellence in Bill Writing", and Meredith Marden, Marla Fais, Nik Aslanian and Ronnie Millet received special recognition for "Excellence in Debate".
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CRS News
CRS: Wagons Ho!
As the fourth grade students finished the Oregon Trail Writer's Workshop Unit, they were presented with a cumulative based performance task. Students were challenged to apply their knowledge of previous Oregon Trail sources explored in the classroom by creating a temporary shelter to house four pioneer family members. Throughout the course of the Oregon Trail Unit, students learned about many of the hardships pioneers faced, including building temporary shelters.
Similar to the true pioneers out on the trail, students had to learn to be resourceful with the given materials, while applying engineering skills. Prior to each team collecting the materials, students had an opportunity to deliberate and discuss which materials would be the most useful and effective for building a sturdy shelter. The students were provided with a variety of materials including: cardboard, Popsicle sticks, yarn, tape, cupcake wrappers, straws, aluminum foil, and Q-Tips. During the building portion of the challenge, students quickly learned team-building skills and often designated specific tasks for each team member.
By completing the challenge, fourth graders gained a greater appreciation for life on the Oregon Trail. Although students were only given a few materials, they learned to be as resourceful as possible, while keeping their pioneer families safe. Together, the teachers and students discussed the challenges involved for the task, and presented their final products. Students were actively engaged with a direct connection to the Oregon Trail and learned how to effectively communicate and work alongside their peers. Overall, our students had a wonderful and memorable day!
CRS: Teacher of the Year
We would like to extend very special congratulations to Ms. Chris Rizzi, who was selected by the Bergen County Teacher/Education Services Professionals Recognition Program for "Teacher of the Year" for Colonial Road School. As a Second Grade teacher for many years, Ms. Rizzi has always demonstrated a love of learning, a passion for exploration, and a sense of always doing what is in the best interest of each and every child. Ms. Rizzi instills a tremendous sense of pride and purpose in all of our young students each and every day. We celebrate Ms. Rizzi's honor and thank her for all of her passion and dedication.
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HMR News
HMR: Lego Simple Machine Carnival
In fourth grade, we recently created a "Simple Machine Carnival". We have been studying simple machines and how they work for a few weeks and this was our final project. Simple  machines are devices that make work easier or faster with few or no moving parts. Some simple machines are pulleys, wheels, gears, and levers. Using these simple machines, we made rides like the Tower of Terror, Gravitron, Loop de Loop of Doom, Water Slide and Pirate Ship. We also made games using catapults. Simple machines are also used in cars, clocks, wheelbarrows and many other items we use every day! We loved using our imagination to show what we learned!
(This article was written by 4th graders E.A and C.P)
HMR: First Grade Show First graders wowed their audience with an engaging show this year! The students wrote their own scripts based on published writing pieces from throughout the school year. The stage was alive with humor, dancing, singing, and important life lessons. The first graders had an opportunity to practice public speaking and boost their confidence in this sensational experience. 
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WAS News
WAS: Colonial Day Celebration
Fifth grade students celebrated the culmination of their Social Studies unit of study on the English colonization of North America. Students participated in a Colonial Day Celebration where they depicted life in the English colonies. With the knowledge that craft-making was an important part of everyday life in Colonial times, the children created their own authentic colonial craft. Dressed in traditional colonial clothing, students proudly presented their completed crafts to parents and family members, fellow students and staff members, and District administrators. The students enjoyed teaching others about their craft, how it was made, and how it was used during colonial times. To end the day's celebration, students enjoyed eating popular desserts and snacks from colonial times. The hard work and enthusiasm of our "colonists" were evident throughout the day's activities.
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Franklin Lakes Borough
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Baskets 4 Franklin Lakes Basketball Tournament
Register Now!
Saturday, June 13, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
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The Franklin Lakes Mayor's Wellness Campaign will host the 3rd Annual Baskets for Franklin Lakes on Saturday, June 13 from 8:00am to 5:00pm. Basketball players from kids to adults will hit the courts throughout the day in this 3 on 3 basketball tournament to raise money for local charities. This year, the Baskets 4 Franklin Lakes tournament will fundraise for a Franklin Lakes resident who was diagnosed at age 43 with Breast Cancer and has been fighting an ongoing battle. Her mission is to fight breast cancer and raise awareness. Click here to register and for additional information.
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Franklin Lakes Public Library News
Franklin Lakes Public Schools are teaming up with the Library to promote the Library's Summer Reading program. School principals and administrators will join in the fun and students will be rewarded for their summer reading achievements with a celebration in September. Please click here to see the flyer for more information.
Please click here for the Library's summer program brochure showing all of the summer offerings.
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