Larger View Dr. Chris Lommerin

 February 18, 2010

Dear Waretown Family:

We, as a district, have determined, through triangulation of data sources, that student writing remains our number one academic concern. As a result, in January we have begun to conduct a series of writing seminars with our students and teachers. Some of the writing devices covered have been: similes, metaphors, onomatopoeia, dialogue, sensory language, personification, transition words, etc.

Also, included in the writing seminars are: good beginnings, middles, and endings, staying on topic, punctuation, use of a scoring rubric, samples of exemplary writing from some of our great masters, informational, persuasive, and narrative writing. These seminars will continue throughout the school year.

The following events have been arranged to bolster our parental involvement and NJASK scores:

February 24^th Study Skills/NJASK Information Night/Parental Learning Community: 7:00, Priff School

March 16^th NJASK: Parental learning Community: 7:00 Priff School

April  22^nd NJASK: Parental Learning Community: 7:00 Priff School

April 30^th Academic Pep Rally (3-6): Southern Regional Cheer leaders and Drum Corps    

April 19^th (Language Arts) and 20^th (Math) NJASK Practice Tests for students in grades 3-6. (timed and mirroring the NJASK test).

Meanwhile, our district and board goals have been posted on this website for the parents and community to view. Thus far, as per the action plans, we are on target if not ahead of schedule. Please feel free to contact me with any questions pertaining to either set of goals.

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Jeff Von Schmidt and his crew for their tireless efforts involving the tremendous amount of snow removal and preparation ensuring a safe and functioning school district.  

We had our second meeting of ‘Building our Community Together’ on January 27. A large thank you to those members of those community members who are participating in the group. Our last meeting was held in December. The size of the group has grown considerably, giving us the opportunity to involve even more representatives of the Waretown community. Represented in our meetings are: teachers, administration, board members, Oceanaire Association and residence, Skipper’s Cove Association, community at large, parents, PTA president, Municipal Alliance, township recreation, Town Hall (Township Committee), law enforcement, Barnegat Beach Association, Pebble Beach Association, and others.  Again, the sole purpose of the group is to ‘connect the dots’ regarding community resources and improve communications within our hometown.

                                                           Yours in service,
                       
                                                                       Dr. Christopher Lommerin
                                                                       Superintendent of Schools
                                                                       Ocean Township School District