A significant highlight of the meeting was the presentation on the district’s participation in the Seal of Biliteracy program. This program, established in New Jersey in 2016, recognizes students who demonstrate proficiency in multiple languages. In the previous academic year, 67 students received the Seal of Biliteracy, with eight students achieving this distinction through the World Language track by scoring a four or higher on their Advanced Placement exams. The remaining students earned the seal by passing the approved exam, with many taking assessments in languages such as Spanish, French, and German. The board emphasized the importance of bilingualism and the value it adds to students’ academic and professional futures.

In addition to the Seal of Biliteracy, the meeting also highlighted the impressive performance of senior students in the PSAT exams. Nine students were recognized as National Merit Commended Scholars, placing them in the top 3% of 1.5 million PSAT test-takers. The Superintendent commended these students for their achievements, noting their modesty despite their national recognition.

The student representative provided a report on various school activities and achievements. The report covered the successful Rush Week event, which featured around 50 clubs, including new organizations like the Volunteering Club, Muslim Student Association, and Women in Business. The representative also mentioned the upcoming visits from nearly 50 college representatives, including those from Montclair and Princeton. The counseling department is facilitating college clinics twice a week to assist seniors with college applications. In athletics, the report highlighted senior nights for various sports, with the Field Hockey senior night occurring simultaneously. The marching band achieved first place in a recent competition, and the Heights Town Drama Club is preparing for a production titled “She Kills Monsters.”

The student body is engaged in preparations for Spirit Week, which includes class competitions and a homecoming dance hosted by the cheer team. The homecoming game against Allentown is scheduled for October 18, featuring a white-out theme and the announcement of the homecoming king and queen during halftime. Upcoming events include the PSAT exam on October 18, followed by a pep rally featuring class games and a lip sync competition.

Another topic of the meeting was the detailed presentation on English language proficiency assessments, specifically the ACCESS test. The ACCESS test evaluates students’ language abilities across four domains: reading, writing, listening, and speaking. The presentation emphasized that proficiency levels are specific to each domain and should not be compared across grades due to the increasing difficulty of the test each year. The data generated by the ACCESS test is used to guide instruction and lesson planning for English language learners, helping educators understand what students can do and where they need to progress.

The discussion included a focus on students transitioning from sheltered classrooms to general education environments while still receiving one period of English as a Second Language (ESL) support. It was noted that language acquisition is a gradual process, with students typically taking five to seven years to achieve fluency. The presentation highlighted the performance of students across grades K-12, with a focus on those who exited the ESL program. The district reported substantial exits at the fourth and fifth-grade levels.

The meeting also addressed operational challenges within the schools. During the public comment period, concerns were raised regarding the cleaning products used by custodial staff and their potential impact on air quality. The response clarified that deep cleaning typically occurs at night, with day custodians handling minor tasks. Additionally, issues related to temperature regulation within classrooms were discussed, with discrepancies noted in comfort levels across different rooms. The Superintendent acknowledged the ongoing challenges related to the HVAC systems and assured that staff could report concerns to facilitate adjustments.

Community engagement efforts were also highlighted, including the recent NJ Rise Annual Latino Festival held at the high school, despite inclement weather forcing a venue change. Upcoming events include a marching band competition on October 5 and a parent advisory committee meeting for Spanish-speaking families to gather input on multilingual learning programs. The Week of Respect, linked to New Jersey’s Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights, is set to occur from October 7 to October 11, focusing on social-emotional learning and bullying prevention.

The meeting concluded with discussions on policy matters, including the abolishment of policy 5755 regarding equity in educational programs and services. Several mandated policies were introduced for the first reading, including those related to equal employment opportunities and guidance counseling. The board also discussed participation in constitutionally protected prayer within schools, which is permissible under federal law.