Kearny School District Achieves High Marks in Anti-Bullying Efforts
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Meeting Type:
School Board
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Meeting Date:
09/16/2024
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Recording Published:
09/16/2024
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Duration:
26 Minutes
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State:
New Jersey
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County:
Hudson County
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Towns:
Kearny
- Meeting Overview:
The recent Kearny School Board meeting highlighted the district’s impressive progress in anti-bullying initiatives, the establishment of a National Junior Honor Society, and updates on school facilities and finances.
The main highlight of the meeting was the presentation of the 2022-2023 Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying (HIB) grade report by Courtney McShan, the district’s Anti-Bullying Coordinator. According to McShan, the district achieved a score of 76 out of a possible 78 points, reflecting consistent improvement over the past five years. McShan elaborated on the district’s strengths, particularly in areas like training on Board of Education-approved HIB policies and the use of the HIPSTER reporting system, which has streamlined HIB incident reporting and investigation procedures.
The district plans to focus on further enhancements for the coming year, particularly in staff training from licensed healthcare professionals on HIB-related mental health issues and suicide prevention. These measures aim to bridge the gap to a perfect score while continuing to foster a safer and more supportive school environment.
In other developments, the board discussed the establishment of a National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) at Lincoln Middle School. This initiative aims to recognize and encourage high academic achievement and community service among students. According to the curriculum committee, the NJHS will require students to complete ten hours of service, promoting ethical behavior, integrity, and leadership skills. The first induction ceremony is scheduled for May.
The facilities committee provided updates on ongoing projects, including the completion of HVAC and roof work at Garfield, Franklin, and Washington schools. The culinary labs and bathrooms at the high school are also under renovation and expected to be completed soon. Additionally, a fully funded hockey clinic will run from November to March, thanks to money raised by the athletics department.
The finance committee reported on the renewal of the school physician contract and adjustments to federal funding for teachers. The audit for the 2023-2024 fiscal year has commenced, with findings to be presented to the board in the coming months.
The board also recognized the retirement of Lisa Kruck, a business teacher who dedicated 25 years to Kearny Public Schools. Her contributions were acknowledged with gratitude and respect.
Lastly, the policy committee introduced new mandates, including excused absences for civic events, which will be adopted in the next board meeting’s first reading. This policy aims to encourage student participation in community activities.
Flora Encarnacao
School Board Officials:
Dr. Adeline Boyd, Elizabeth A. Burke, John Carey, Cecilia Lindenfelser (Vice President), John J. Mckenna, Samantha Paris (President), Laura Pettigrew, Jose A. Soares, Sebastian J. Viscuso
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Meeting Type:
School Board
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Meeting Date:
09/16/2024
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Recording Published:
09/16/2024
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Duration:
26 Minutes
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Notability Score:
Routine
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State:
New Jersey
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County:
Hudson County
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Towns:
Kearny
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