Lawrence Township Public Schools News Roundup

Lawrence Township Public Schools recently released the following news items:

Lawrence High School Class of 2012 Fundraiser

No one wants to cook the day before Thanksgiving!  So, take a break and support the Lawrence High Class of 2012 at the same time.  Take the flyer (available in the media box at the right) to the Uno Pizzeria on Sloan Avenue in Hamilton Township anytime today, Wednesday, Nov. 23, and enjoy a relaxing meal for a good cause.

Operation Smile Thanksgiving Fundraiser – Changing Lives, One Smile at a Time

During this time of year in which the focus is on giving thanks, the Lawrence High School chapter of Operation Smile is sponsoring a fundraiser to support free surgeries offered to children and young adults with facial deformities in developing nations and within the United States. When considering things for which we're grateful, can we donate based on 5 cents for each family member who has his own bed, 15 cents if we have a refrigerator, or 20 cents each if we have a toothbrush? See the attached fundraiser form for additional guidelines.

Skyping with Robotics

All third-grade classes at district elementary schools recently Skyped with fourth- and fifth-grade tech lab students at Lawrence Intermediate School. K-3 technology resource teachers, Mrs. Miller and Miss Horniacek, with assistance from Mrs. Rubinstein at LIS, had students talk to each other about robotics. The fourth- and fifth-grade students who were interviewed have already created robots using the WeDo Legos kits, and gave beneficial advice to third graders who are venturing into the world of robots for the next marking period. Questions were asked by third-graders, and suggestions were given by the LIS students for this very exciting learning experience. Third-graders are already blogging about their Skyping experience and are ready and exhilarated to start their own robotics unit.

Lawrence High School Student Council Coat Drive

The Lawrence High School Student Council participates in the Jersey Cares Annual Coat Drive. This year the Sophomore and Freshmen academies are competing to help support this great cause.

The objective of the 16th Annual Jersey Cares Coat Drive is to collect and distribute 50,000 “gently used” winter coats to at-risk men, women and children. Over the past 15 years, Jersey Cares has collected, sorted and distributed hundreds of thousands of winter coats to New Jersey residents in need.

All new or gently used donated coats can be dropped off in LHS Room 124 or the Main Office by Dec. 12. Make sure you put your coat in the correct grade level box – boxes will be marked Ninth and 10th. See the flyer in the media box above for additional information.

EMBODI Program

The Trenton Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc and Zeta Iota Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., both non-profit public service organizations, are sponsoring a mentorship program for African-American males in Grades 6-8. The EMBODI (Empowering Males to Build Opportunities for Developing Independence) program is designed to uplift African American boys, 11 to 14 years of age, emotionally, socially and educationally through monthly dialogue, service and interaction with positive male role models.

The goals of EMBODI are achieved through workshops, community service activities, cultural programs, field trips and more. EMBODI participants learn new things in a fun and positive environment, with an emphasis on the areas of science and mathematics.

The EMBODI program will meet the first Sunday of the month from December through May, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Hollowbrook Community Center, 320 Hollowbrook Rd., Ewing Township. The first meeting is on Dec. 4. An application form can be found in the media box above. The application deadline has been extended to Dec. 1.

Cast a Vote for Lawrence. Help LTPS win $50,000

Help win $50,000 for all Lawrence Township Elementary Schools. We are entered for a chance to put SMART Boards in all third-grade classrooms! 

We can’t do it without your help:

• Register to vote at www.refresheverything.com (voting begins Dec. 1, but register NOW).
• When voting begins on Dec. 1, simply go to www.refresheverything.com/ltps and vote.
• Vote every day between Dec. 1 and Dec. 31.
• Tell everyone you know (neighbors, friends, relatives, coworkers, etc.) to vote every day.
• Anyone 13 and up can vote.
• The $50,000 prize is awarded to the idea with the most votes (It’s that simple).

Questions?  Contact Ben Franklin Elementary School Principal Chris Turnbull at (609) 671-5441.

New Jersey Rising Scholars Student Recognition Program

Lawrence High School’s Yasmin Baylor has been selected for the 2011 New Jersey Rising Scholars Student Recognition Program and was invited to an awards ceremony held on Nov. 13.

The NJ Department of Education established the New Jersey Rising Scholars program, in collaboration with the New Jersey Amistad Commission and the Malcolm Bernard Historically Black College or University (HBCU) College Fair of New Jersey. The program is to honor the academic achievement of high school seniors from diverse backgrounds who are interested in attending a HBCU and are leaders in their school and community. This award enables students to receive recognition for their academic excellence, meet with over 40 representatives from Historically Black Colleges and Universities to apply for admission, and be considered for financial aid and scholarship opportunities at these institutions where they may receive application fee waivers. In addition, this award also enables students to be eligible for one of three $1,000 HBCU Rising Scholar Fund Scholarships which will be selected and announced in Spring 2012.

'Click, Check and Protect' e-newsletter

The 'Click, Check and Protect' program supported by Consumer Reports and the National School Safety Coalition (of which the National School Public Relations Association is a member) has launched a new e-newsletter to help keep kids safe. The free e-newsletter provides weekly safety and recall information to all parents, teachers, caregivers, schools and organizations who sign up, and it’s easy to share the link with staff, parents and others. It only takes a moment to sign up. One piece of information can – and will – save a life! Sign up now!