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Digital Backpack
2019-2020 School Year
Flyers and important information will be posted below. If there is anything you'd like to add to our Digital Backpack, please email Bob St. Laurent at rstlaurent@milfordpublicschoool.com
May 5, 2020
Dear MPS Families,
You may have heard that all New Jersey Schools have been ordered closed for the remainder of the School Year. Remote instruction will continue as it has been since March 16th.
The staff and I are saddened that we won't see the children back at MPS this year. Virtual learning will never be the best substitute for in-person instruction. Many questions now need to be answered, from the removal of personal items to graduation.. Our Administrative team will meet and get back to you as soon as we can. We will do our best to navigate this challenge and appreciate your understanding and patience.. These are uncharted waters for all of us.
I hope you enjoyed the photo collage our staff created to celebrate our students. I can’t thank our staff enough for working timeless hours and taking on this challenge with a positive attitude. I also know that the success of this academic year is also due to the parental support our students are receiving. I have always known that our school community is supported by great families; however, it is during challenging times that the true strength of a community is tested. Congratulations to our teachers and parents for passing this test with flying colors.
Stay Safe.
Rick Falkenstein
May 1, 2020
Dear MPS Families,
Due to the unexpected shift to virtual/remote leaning, it has become necessary for the Milford Public School District to make adjustments in the assessment of student growth and the delivery of teacher feedback. Given this reality, Milford will continue to take into consideration the extraordinary challenges of our current circumstances while keeping the health and safety of our students and families as our primary concern. As such, the following grading practice will apply during the fourth marking period.
Grades 1-5 grading during virtual learning will be meeting expectation/not meeting expectation. Any student who is actively engaged in class activities, responding to teacher feedback and providing evidence of participation will earn a Pass (P). Any student who does not receive a Pass (P), an Incomplete (I) grade will be assigned with the opportunity to make up work in the summer.
Kindergarten will continue using the GOLD continuum.
Students will receive an “S” in specials if they have demonstrated participation during virtual instruction.
The intention of this grading practice is to honor the notion that students are doing their best to learn and grow regardless of their new virtual learning environment. For this time of uncertainty and transition, we will take the focus off grades and place it squarely on learning feedback, guidance, coaching strategies, encouragement, and social connection. We honor that:
- Students are doing their best to learn and grow regardless of their new virtual learning environment.
- Students are managing a series of practical and emotional demands.
- No student should be academically harmed during this health-related closure and that students are doing their level best under difficult circumstances.
Let us never forget that education is more than grades. Thank you in advance for your understanding during this difficult time.
Sincerely,
Rick Falkenstein, Superintendent
Robert St. Laurent, Lead Teacher
April 20, 2020
Hunterdon County/State Resource Updates Due to COVID-19
April 17, 2020
Dear MPS Families,
I hope you and your family are enjoying Spring Break. Yesterday, Governor Murphy extended the statewide school closure through at least May 15, 2020, at which time he will reassess whether or not it is safe to return to our traditional instructional setting.
Rest assured that the staff and I are thoughtfully planning for the remainder of the year as both a closure and an opening up again are possible outcomes. Please know that the Health Department, Executive County Superintendent, and other superintendents are constantly being consulted.
I am sure that the eighth grade promotion, grades, returning technology, getting personal material from school, and many other issues are on your mind. I will provide you with these answers as quickly as possible.
On Monday, April 20, we will resume home instruction until further guidance from the Department of Education. The staff and I will do everything in our power to make the remainder of the 2019/2020 school year as memorable as we can. I am grateful for your continuous support and I appreciate your partnership during this difficult time.
Rick Falkenstein
Superintendent
April 15, 2020
Meals on Wheels in Hunterdon Raffle
April 2, 2020
Dear MPS Families,
Thank you so much for your continued support and patience during this unprecedented time. We hope that you and your families are safe and healthy. Students, you have been doing a great job with your online learning so far. We know that you are missing the time spent in school with your friends and teachers, but we are proud of the way you have adjusted to at-home learning. Our teachers have been working hard to streamline the online learning process and we hope that all of you are adapting to Google Classroom.
Yesterday, April 1, would have marked the end of the Third Marking Period. However, we are going to finish out this week and officially end the marking period tomorrow, Friday, April 3. Any work done prior to March 16, the day we began our At Home Learning, will be graded normally. The work you have done from that date, until April 3 will be used to enhance your Third Marking Period grade. Information regarding the Fourth Marking Period will be forthcoming. In the meantime, homeroom teachers will be emailing students’ Third Marking Period report cards to parents and guardians on Wednesday, April 8.
We will continue to communicate information as we receive updates from our government leaders and public health officials. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us. Be safe and stay home, but get outside this weekend and enjoy some screen-free time.
Sincerely,
Bob St.Laurent, Lead Teacher & Rick Falkenstein, Superintendent
March 27, 2020
Dear MPS Families,
The past two weeks have certainly been challenging for everyone. During this time, the staff has been committed to providing your child with continuous instruction. This week, Governor Phil Murphy and the NJ Department of Education recently applied and were granted approval of a waiver from the USDOE providing relief from federally mandated testing for this school year. Therefore the State of New Jersey is cancelling all statewide student assessments for the spring 2020 testing window. The cancellation of the NJSLA (formerly PARCC) will not prevent any students from meeting their 8th grade graduation requirements.
Teachers are working hard to provide your child with home instruction and to ensure we maximize every opportunity to educate your child during these unusual circumstances. The activities that we are creating are intended to engage your child in a meaningful manner. I hope you have found your child’s teacher to be highly responsive and readily accessible to assist your child. As we move into the next few weeks, your teacher will be readily available to respond to emails or communicate with students during the hours of 9am-1:00pm. Outside those hours, the staff will do their best to respond to any request. We hope this structure makes it easier to plan your day and to create a routine for you and your family.
Information regarding the upcoming marking period will be forthcoming.
Here is a link to a great page on the CDC website with some great information and tips for parents to keep your child safe. https://www.cdc.gov/coronaviru
s/2019-ncov/prepare/children. html Each week feels like an entire school year and things are changing every day. The most recent announcement from Governor Murphy indicated that the earliest he would consider reopening schools is April 17, 2020; however, that depends on the information available at that time.
Rest assured the staff and administration are looking forward to your child’s return. It is our goal to finish this school year on a positive note and we are doing our best to create meaningful learning opportunities for your child.
Sincerely,
Rick Falkenstein
SuperintendentMarch 20, 2020
Dear Parents/Guardians,
As we monitor the COVID-19 outbreak locally and globally, it has become abundantly clear that we must continue to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 by practicing social distancing.
By an executive order from Governor Murphy directing, "All public, private, and parochial preschool programs, and elementary and secondary schools, including charter and renaissance schools, will be closed beginning on Wednesday, March 18, 2020, and remain closed as long as the Order remains in effect". We are closely monitoring the situation and reassessing the duration of this closure.
The District will continue to implement our virtual learning plan in order to provide student instruction during this executive order. At this point, the reopening of school will be determined by Governor Murphy.
All teachers will be moving their home instruction to Google Classroom as a more sustainable approach to home instruction. Please be patient as we transition to this platform. Further instructions will be forthcoming from your child's teacher. As always, if you have any questions, please email your child’s teacher.
We appreciate your cooperation during the first week of virtual instruction. Although this is uncharted territory for all of us, our community has proven resilient as we continue to protect the health and safety of our students and staff. We thank you for your patience and understanding as we work through this difficult situation.
Respectfully,
Rick Falkenstein
March 18, 2020
Superintendent Message - Social Distancing
March 16, 2020
March 13, 2020
School Closing Letter from Superintendent
March 10, 2020
Coronavirus Information Letter from Superintendent
March 4, 2020
American Heart Assoc. Kids Challenge
March 3, 2020
February 27, 2020
Read Across America Spirit Week
February 11, 2020
Suicide Prevention for Parents
February 4, 2020
February 3, 2020
January 28, 2020
United AAU Basketball Tryouts (Boys & Girls Gr. 4-11)
January, 9, 2020
December 19, 2019
December 10, 2019
November 25, 2019
Del. Val. Jr. Lacrosse (Gr. K-8)
November 20, 2019
November 11, 2019
Del. Val. Jr. Terriers Youth Cheer Clinic (Gr. K-8)
Future Del. Val. Jr. Terriers Youth Cheer Clinic (Ages 3-5)
Hunterdon County YMCA Winter Coat Drive & Distribution
October 17, 2019
October 15, 2019
October 11, 2019
Milford Borough Halloween Information
Calling all Musicians - Community Band Flyer
October 4, 2019
Student Drop-Off/Pick-Up Procedures
September 27, 2019
September 19, 2019
October Week of Respect Spirit Days
September 18, 2019
DVRHS Project Graduation Discount Card Info
September 6, 2019
September 5, 2019
September 4, 2019
Back to School Night Invitation Letter
September 3, 2019
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