The Institute for Excellence Charter School Steering Committee
for the Strategic Planning Council
will meet April 19, 2010 @ 7 PM in the All Purpose Room.
The Steering Committee is a cross-functional executive group of high-level stakeholders that arranges the order of business for the Strategic Planning Council. It has been established with the purpose of reviewing, monitoring and making some of the decisions on Strategic Planning as it progresses forward. It sets overall parameters and provides high-level project guidance by interaction with the project leader and other committees. The Steering Committee will make milestone status reviews.
This committee should consist of board members, administration, teachers, parents and community business representatives.
Please indicate your willingness to serve on the Steering Committee by emailing me at lclemons@tifecs.com.
Please take note that the monthly board meetings have changed from the third Tuesday of each month to the third Wednesday of each month.
On January 27th, we are having a Strategic Planning Meeting at 7pm. This will give you a chance to hear about what is involved in being part of the committee.
Come see a movie at school on Friday, 1/22 at 6:30. We'll be watching Disney's Up. Refreshments will be available for purchase with proceeds going to the FSA. We hope to see you there!
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Tuesday night’s Board of Trustees meeting was as good as we thought it would be. The number of parents that came out assures us of the commitment that has been made. The questions and comments were direct and well thought out. Everyone was respectful and we were able to accomplish much.
The board and administration left the meeting with a list of the issues parents consider important for our success. Each and every issue is valid and will be addressed. Your thoughtful suggestions were many times in line with an implementation of Mrs. Thompson further indicating that we are all on the same page.
I feel the parents left with a better understanding of our positions and capabilities. The lines of communication are open. We will continue with what is proving successful and continue to find the solutions to the things that are problematic. Thank you for your patience as we consider your suggestions and our ideas for the best answers for TIFECS.
Thank you again for attending this meeting. See you again next month.
REMINDER: TOMORROW IS BUFFALO BILL DAY - PLEASE SUPPORT US IN THIS FUNDRAISER.
Here is the link to the menu again.... www.yourhometownpages.com
Use the access code: 0132
Yours for Excellence
Linda Clemons
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Transportation / Dismissal
Please know that we always have the safety of your children in mind. Although dismissal was not as smooth as we would have liked to have it, all things considered, the first day was a good one. As all things new, there will be a few bumps, but together we will get through. Moving forward, we will get better and better everyday. We greatly appreciate your patience, understanding and assistance.
We encourage you to contact the Winslow Twp. Transportation Office to help them get the bus routes accurate and more efficient. We will do our best to help them as well.
Thank you.
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Save The Date!!!!
The "Meet & Greet" is scheduled for Saturday, August 29, 2009 at 2:00 p.m.
This is an Adults Only event.
Thank you.
Details will follow.
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WE
ARE
CHARTERED !!!!!!!!
7/17/2009
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Graduation and college entrance rates soar at New Jersey charter public high schools
Trenton, June 10, 2009 – New Jersey’s charter public high schools will graduate a remarkable 99 percent of their seniors this year and send more than 86 percent of them on to higher education at two and four-year colleges, the New Jersey Charter Public Schools Association (NJCPSA) announced today.
There are 10 charter public high schools in New Jersey currently enrolling seniors. Nine of the schools are college preparatory schools while the tenth provides vocational preparation for its students. The figures reported by the NJCPSA represent statistics from eight of the nine college preparatory high schools.
“Taken as an entire statewide class of high school seniors, there are 448 seniors enrolled at these eight New Jersey charter public high schools, of whom 443 will graduate this year with 384 going on to two and four year colleges, 15 continuing at technical schools and four entering military service,” said Jessani Gordon, NJCPSA executive director, adding, “This is a result that all of us in the charter public school effort are proud of, with most of the credit going to these seniors, their parents and their teachers.”
High school senior and student council president Tai-Jenea Moore of North Star Academy (Newark) is on her way to Howard University this fall to study business management and political science. She credits her teachers with being the key influence on her decision to attend college. “The teachers at North Star treated me like a young adult and provided me with great relationships. They showed me dedication and commitment and that made me want to continue on with my education for four more years,” she said. “When you come to school, you see whatever is possible, right here in front of your face every single day.”
Neptune resident and Academy Charter High School (Asbury Park) valedictorian Johadane Pierre is a recipient of the Gates Millennium Award which provides a full college scholarship through a doctorate. She plans on attending Fairleigh Dickenson University in the fall for a five year bachelors and masters program in secondary education and points to the personalized attention she received in a small school environment as being the critical factor in her successful college application experience. “In our school, we were prepared and given so much one on one advice from our teachers and guidance counselors. They helped us learn all about which colleges were out there and how to complete the college application process from beginning to end,” she said.
LEAP Academy Charter School (Camden) senior Robert Ransom is graduating salutatorian and plans to attend Howard University in the fall. He credits his success to the school’s family environment. “The close-knit, family oriented school setting has provided me with the support I have needed to reach success and become self-disciplined and determined to reach my goals. Success becomes a lot easier to reach when you have a whole family at school that believes in you.,” he says.
There are 12 charter public high schools in New Jersey. Two do not yet have a senior class. The ten New Jersey charter public high schools with senior classes this year are:
• Academy Charter High School, Lake Como
• Hoboken Charter High School
• chARTer Tech High School for the Performing Arts, Somers Point
• University Academy Charter High School, Jersey City
• Camden Academy Charter High School, Camden
• LEAP Academy Charter High School, Camden
• CREATE Charter High School, Jersey City
• North Star Academy Charter School, Newark
• Paterson Charter School for Science and Technology
• Emily Fisher Charter High School, Trenton.
The reported statistics reflect information from all but the Paterson school, which is still compiling results and from Emily Fisher Charter High School, which offers a vocational program.
Among the county colleges at which New Jersey charter public high school graduates will be enrolling are those of Atlantic-Cape May, Camden, Essex and Passaic Counties.
Charter public high school graduates will enroll at virtually every other New Jersey public college and university including Rutgers University, the New Jersey Institute of Technology, Ramapo College, William Paterson University, Kean University, Montclair State University, The College of New Jersey and Rowan University.
There will be graduates of New Jersey charter public high schools entering the freshman classes at many private New Jersey colleges and universities including Drew University, Fairleigh Dickinson University, Seton Hall University, Caldwell College, Felician College, Rider University, St. Peters College, Bloomfield College and Georgian Court College.
Out of state institutions that will welcome New Jersey charter public high school graduates in the fall include Drexel University, Villanova University, LaSalle University, Franklin and Marshall College, Long Island University, Mt. Holyoke College, Wells College, the Parsons School of Design, Pennsylvania State University and Moore College of Art.
The NJCPSA is asking the legislature to provide $3.5 million more for charter public schools in the next state budget to prevent per pupil reductions in state aid at more than two dozen New Jersey charter schools, including 12 that face actual year-to-year reductions in total state support.
The New Jersey Charter School Program Act took effect January 1, 1996 and has expanded to 62 schools enrolling almost 20,000 students statewide, including 80 percent in the former Abbott districts. New Jersey’s charter public schools serve a higher percentage of minority and at-risk students than traditional district schools and are in great demand with 11,000 children on entrance waiting lists. Six new charter public schools are to open next September when statewide charter school enrollment will expand to roughly 23,000 students.
The NJCPSA is the membership and professional organization of New Jersey’s charter public schools, with a mission to advance educational choice for New Jersey's children through quality public charter schools.
To learn more please visit us at www.njcharters.org.
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The inspection has come and gone and we did VERY well. We received a few checks but they are minor and can be corrected in a day or two. A much more pressing issue is before us.
We were told about a change following The Charter School Boot Camp regarding the inclusion of students outside Winslow Township. We were now able to enroll 90% from Winslow and 10% from outside our district.
During the inspection, one was checking the enrollment forms (I didn’t get very many) and questioned me about an out of district address. I quoted what I knew and was told there is some confusion among the charter schools regarding this. She said we MUST take all from Winslow until there are no more applications coming in AND THEN we can accept 10% from outside our district. This is what we thought all along but misunderstood, along with several others, and was very glad about the change.
I will confirm the addresses and those who are not Winslow residents, I sincerely apologize. I know how concerned you are about the education of your children. I showed you a different approach to their success through academics and character building, smaller classes and more individualized attention. I am truly sorry. You will be offered enrollment if there are available seats after we have exhausted all efforts to accommodate Winslow Township. Again, I apologize.
Today I will check those addresses and make the appropriate changes to the lotteries and lists and post another update. In the meantime, if you want to talk to me, please know that I am available to you and can be reached at the office. I will send you a letter Monday for your records.
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PLEASE DROP OFF THE ENROLLMENT FORMS TO THE OFFICE TODAY.
THIS IS OUR PROOF OF ENROLLMENT.
PICK UP YOUR BUFFALO BILL'S DINNER CARD WHILE YOU ARE HERE.
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If you enrolled your kindergarten child in May and another child in first or second grade, your kindergartener is automatically in and will not have to participate in the lottery. The first grade lottery is for any applications that we received in the month of June.
This First Grade Lottery will be held on July 13.
The Kindergarten Lottery will be held June 15, 2009 7:30 PM at the temporary office at 20 East Taunton Road, Suite 540, Berlin, NJ 08009.
Each name will be written on a piece of paper and put in a bowl. The names of multiples are on the same piece of paper but counts for more than one seat. The 20 names drawn will be enrolled. The 4 not chosen will go on the top of the waiting list. From June forward, any applications received for kindergarten will automatically be placed on the waiting list in the order we received them.
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I finally have a ruling from The Department of Education. I am a happy woman as I announce that if you enrolled a kindergartener and they have siblings in first or second grades, the kindergarten child is automatically in and is not subject to the lottery.
6/5/2009
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ADDITIONALLY: The forms will be online and in the office as well as in the mail to those who have no email address. We need original signatures so do not fax them to us.
6/4/2009
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We know that some parents are having difficulty getting transfer cards. Although we have a few cards, obtaining them was not without challenge.
Bear in mind, this is new for all involved. Winslow has never had a charter school; so when over 200 students are asked to be transferred at one time, the burden is evident.
Until Mr. Matthew and I are able to communicate with Winslow again and find out to what other procedure, for exiting students, they want us to adhere; do not attempt to get transfer cards. Once we have their instructions, we will proceed in the appropriate manner.
BUT FOR NOW, YOU WILL RECEIVE IN THE MAIL, ENROLLMENT FORMS. PLEASE COMPLETE AND RETURN THEM ASAP. USE ANY METHOD YOU PREFER TO GET IT BACK TO US JUST DO SO BEFORE JUNE 10. WE NEED ORIGINAL SIGNATURES. IF WE HAVE A TRANSFER CARD FOR YOUR CHILD, YOU NEED TO FILL OUT THE FORM ALSO.
This form will serve as proof of your child’s enrollment in lieu of the transfer card.
Our urgency is due to the need to be in compliance when the inspection takes place.
6/3/2009
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The May Enrollment Period is over………..
If you applied for acceptance in the month of May for first or second grade…
Congratulations…………….your child has been accepted.
You will be receiving a letter with the date for your Enrolled Parents Meeting. This is a very important meeting. You will meet the director and assistant director and a few teachers. You will get a lot of information about our mission, goals and objectives as well as our approach. All of your questions will be answered.
Congratulations again. We look forward to servicing you and your child.
We ended May with a total of 79 first graders. All have been accepted and we enter June with first grade in lottery.
If your child(ren) will be entering kindergarten and you applied in the month of May, they must participate in a lottery.
April ended with 45 kindergarten applications.
In May we received a total of 49.
There are 15 more applications than we have available seats, therefore the lottery.
The lottery will be held the third week of June, more information to follow. In the meantime, I have posted 2 references for your reading pleasure.
The following 9 items are mandated by the state of New Jersey concerning both the application and the enrollment processes.
The portion of our application to the state regarding our application and enrollment procedure is also included.
1. A charter school must be open to all students on a space-available basis. If there is a greater number of qualified applicants who seek enrollment than there are spaces available, the charter school is required to use a random selection process (lottery). Preference is given to students from the district of residence or region of residence before non-resident students may be admitted.
2. A student must first be registered in the school district in order to be enrolled in a charter school.
3. Preference for enrollment in a charter school must be given to students who reside in the district or region of residence.
4. The charter school may not discriminate in its admission policies or practices on the basis of intellectual or athletic ability, measures of achievement or aptitude, status as a handicapped person, proficiency in the English language or any other basis that would be illegal if used by a district board of education. The charter school’s admissions policy must, to the maximum extent practicable, seek the enrollment of a cross-section of the community’s school-age population including racial and academic factors.
5. The Charter School Program Act of 1995 requires a charter school to give enrollment preference to students who reside in the district of residence or region of residence of the charter school. The act also requires a charter school to allow students who are currently enrolled to continue enrollment in the next school year in the appropriate grade level, unless the appropriate grade is not offered at the charter school. A charter school may give enrollment priority to siblings of enrolled students if indicated in the charter application.
6. A random selection process (lottery) is one that places all eligible applicants per grade level into one pool and then selects applicants in a nondiscriminatory manner. This process must be activated during each enrollment period when the number of eligible applicants exceeds the number of enrollment slots available for a grade level. There must be a separate lottery for resident and non-resident students
7. A charter school develops a waiting list to identify the names of grade-eligible students with applications to a charter school pending acceptance for the subsequent school year based upon the order of random selection from a lottery following a recruitment period. The waiting list begins with the close of the annual initial recruitment period and first random selection process and ends with the close of the school year. The waiting list is divided into students from the district of residence or region of residence and students from non-resident districts. During recruitment periods, a charter school must notify parents that their children’s names remain on the waiting list for enrollment for the school year only and they must reapply for subsequent school years.
8. A charter school may conduct additional recruitment periods until all spaces available are filled. However, each recruitment period must have specific opening and closing dates and a random selection process (lottery) must be conducted at the end of each enrollment period, if needed.
9. A charter school is a public school open to all students. Students with educational disabilities, ELLs or at-risk students are eligible to attend a charter school on the same basis as all other students. The Charter School Program Act of 1995 provides that any categorical aid attributable to students be paid to the charter school. It also requires charter schools to comply with current law and regulation regarding the provision of services to students with educational disabilities, ELLs or at-risk students. Charter schools may not inquire as to any student disabilities prior to enrollment.
AND FROM OUR APPLICATION………
There will be only one admission policy for The Institute for Excellence Charter School: the student applying must be eligible to enter the grade they are identifying on their application. Every single child who is interested and eligible to attend the school will have the opportunity to apply for enrollment. No child who is age/grade eligible will be denied the opportunity to submit an application and participate in the lottery process.
If there are more applicants to The Institute for Excellence Charter School than seats available, a blind lottery system will be initiated to ensure that the selection process is random and all of the applicants have an equal chance of securing a place in The Institute for Excellence Charter School. The outreach efforts will be extensive to reach as many families with potential students as possible so it is hoped that this blind lottery system will be needed. This will ensure that the population of the school is truly representative of Winslow Township.
As applications are received they will be assigned a number. Should more than 80 applications for each grade be received the numbers will be put into one of two blind groups for each grade, resident and non resident. The first blind group to be drawn from will include only applicants who reside in Winslow Township. This group will have priority of acceptance at The Institute for Excellence Charter School. Should there be spaces still available after this initial drawing of residents, applicants from the non resident pool will be drawn. Drawn numbers will be matched to the applicant who will be notified of his/her acceptance to the school by US mail within 7 days of the lottery drawing. Once 80 applicants for each grade are accepted, additional numbers will be drawn and the students placed in drawn order on one of two waiting lists-- resident and non resident lists. Applicants placed on each waiting list will be notified of their placement on this list.
There will be two waiting lists established at the first lottery session following the assignment/lottery drawing of 80 students in each grade; one for the students who reside in Winslow Township and the second for those students applying to the school who live outside of Winslow Township. Students on the non resident waiting list will be accepted to the school only if and when there are no more residents of Winslow Township on the waiting list. All applications received during the lottery process will be assigned a number which will be placed in the appropriate blind group from which the lottery will be conducted. Should there be more applicants for each grade than seats available; numbers will be drawn until all applicants are assigned either a seat in the charter school or a position on the appropriate waiting list. Placements on the waiting list will be determined in order of drawn number. Once the waiting lists are established with numbers/names from the initial application periods, subsequent applications received after these periods will be added to the appropriate wait list in the order in which they are received. Applicants will be informed of their placement on the wait list within 7 days of the lottery drawing. The waiting list for the school will be maintained for each school year for which the lottery is conducted.
As identified in N.J.S.A. 18A:36A-8-(c) siblings will be given priority for enrollment at The Institute for Excellence Charter School. Families will be offered the opportunity to use a family number during the lottery process for the application periods of The Institute for Excellence Charter School. This single number will be attached to all applications from the family and will be placed in the appropriate group of applicants, resident or non resident. When and if the number is drawn, family members covered by the number will be accepted to the school provided that there is space available in the grade(s) for which they are eligible. If a grade is filled from prior drawings, the sibling will be placed at the top of the appropriate waiting list.
In subsequent years of operation, siblings will have priority for enrollment at the school. The application process must be followed and deadlines met but acceptance will be automatic should all paperwork be received in a timely manner and space is available in the appropriate grade.
You can expect additional information regarding the lottery to follow.
5/30/2009
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Theses committees have been established....
FSA, (Family and School Alliance) Curriculium, funding, and uniform.
The committee heads will be contacting interested and volunteering parents who signed up. If you are interested in helping and not signed up, please contact Colleen Webster @ cwebster@tifecs.com. She will get you to the committee head on which you would like to serve.
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Our entire staff has been hired. Director, Assistant Director, Teachers, Instructional Assistants, nurse, lunch aid, business administrator,
administrative assistants, bookkeeper and custodian. Because few have indicated to their present employer that they will be leaving, we will withhold their names at this time. I will tell you this much, we have the cream of the crop!!!!!
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Thank you for your patience as our website was down for a little while. It is being updated and upgraded and managed by the Websters, Ed & Colleen. This process requires the knowledge and skills of our system and how we can best utilize what we already have. Thanks again for your patience. Thanks also to Ed and Colleen, your willingness to help is truly appreciated.
************************************************************************************** I cannot express how pleased we were about the outstanding attendance to our Enrolled Parents Meeting which was held Thursday at the South County Library. A few volunteers met us a couple of minutes early to set up chairs. It was quickly noticed that parents were coming in a constant stream and we welcomed over 100 parents. As usual, they were engaged and showed their interest in their children’s future. They had many questions and we were still answering them as we were leaving the library. Conversations continued in the parking lot.
I spoke with a father who is trying his best to understand our “no homework” approach. Let me say, our main focus will always be the education of your child. There are many, many aspects that will attribute to that end. Since children learn through different mediums, homework assignments may work best for your child so therefore you will definitely see assignments.
Reinforcement of today’s lessons through homework will always be an option that the teachers have and at times will use.
Keep in mind, our goal remains the same, for your child to have a solid hold on today’s lesson before they leave the building. Every attempt will be made to fulfill that goal.
Between 3:00 and 4:00, the teacher is sitting one-on-one with any student who needs extra time on the subject. The other students are doing seat work with the Instructional Assistant being available to them. Since there are 2 more hours left before our building closes, the teacher might call you to see if he/she can stay for additional help.
The children will be working on various projects that will teach independent study and time management. So you will definitely see assignments come home.
Remember, we hope that with the few hours remaining in your child’s day after school, that you will enlist them to participate in some socialized program, i.e. scouts, church choir, sports, etc. Our goal here is to make them well rounded and give them opportunities to fine tune the social skills they are learning. We also hope they will begin their life-long responsibility of giving to others. We expect them to do something for someone else, i.e. take out the trash for a senior couple who lives next door, help grandparents shop weekly. This does NOT include the chores at home.
If they have only 4 or 5 hours left to their day after school is over and you take 2 hours out for dinner, household chore and getting ready for the next day and bedtime, should they spend those remaining 2 or 3 hours on homework or socialization?, they “got” today’s lesson before they left the building.
5/24/2009
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I am pleased to announce the volunteer services of Ed Webster, Noah's dad.
As you know, I have attempted to keep this site updated and informative. I have so much on my plate; the website gets the back burner too often.
You asked for communication and information and Mr. Matthew, Mrs. Thompson and I promised that you can depend on us for that. When a parent calls or emails me about the site, I feel I have not given according to our policy as it regards to the website.
WELL, THAT WAS THEN AND THIS IS NOW !!!!
Ed has volunteered his computer and software and creative skills to us and I accepted before the words were completely out of his mouth.
You can expect an email from him soon.
Thank you, Ed. You are my hero.
Volunteers make "our" world go around.
Ed is not the only volunteer out there in the thick of things.
Colleen, Megan, Dana and Theresa helped with the
Teachers Round up and their participation helped make it a huge success.
Speaking of the Round-Up; Jump Start Academy was full of the our selections for the positions of teachers, instructional assistants, nurse, admin, lunch aide and that smiling custodian. After meeting each other and receiving instruction and information, we walked a short distance to tour our new school building. Still in the construction state but nearly complete, the creative juices began to flow as the teachers saw the many possibilities of the facility. They absolutely loved it.
One of the kindergarten teachers said she is praying the summer goes quickly so she can get to work. We must keep her off her knees.
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Buffalo Bill Day was simply great !!!
We are doing much better. We actually doubled from last month.
Let’s keep this great work up as it will prove to be a true fund rasier.
Thank you for coming out.
Thank you Scott and Brian, are truly friends of TIFECS.
I love those ribs !!! See you next month.
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Enrollment is going along extremely well. Spaces are filling fast. We will no doubt enter into the lottery this month. to all who enrolled early. Your child's seat is guaranteed.
5/16/2009
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Board Meeting May 19, 2009 7-9 at 20 East Taunton Road, Suite 540, Berlin, NJ
The public is invited.
5/16/2009
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ON PAGE 17 OF THE COMMUNITY TREND (4/22), IS A FULL PAGE ARTICLE ABOUT OUR WONDERFUL SCHOOL. YOU CAN EXPECT THE SAME SOON FROM KYW AND THE COURIER POST. MR. MATTHEW WAS ALSO INTERVIEWED WITH THE NEW YORK TIMES, ON A PIECE ABOUT CHARTER SCHOOLS.
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WHAT A WEEK !!!!!
Mr. Matthew and I concluded the interview process for the teachers and the custodian.
We interviewed 40 excellent educators in our search for 12 that fulfill our needs. The challenge is ahead as the selection process continues. I am glad the final decision rests with Mr. Matthew and not with me, really tough calls to make.
Our search continues for Instructional Assistants. Only 4 or 5 have our interest and we are looking for a total of 12. Our requirement for this position is Substitute Certified.
The custodian position has been filled by Mr. Frank Viera, Julio's dad.
The search for School Nurse continues.
Our HEAT (Healthy Eating and Activity Together Program) is taking shape as the School Physician, Physical Education/Health Teacher is gathering required documentation. I have interviewed food services and the decision as to which one will be provided meals for our children will be made soon.
Buffalo Bill Night is improving. SEVEN of us participated. I will submit, to the board on the 28th, a donation check in the amount of $25.12. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
I am hoping this improves each week.
UNIFORMS: The parents have spoken, uniforms it is !!!!! You will be receiving more information from either Andrea or Joleena.
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ENROLLED PARENTS ONLY MEETING:
AGAIN Congratulations to the students and parents who applied in March, you are enrolled !!!!
We look forward to seeing you at the meeting on Thursday the 23rd @ 7 PM @ The South County Library on Cooper Folly Road.
Bring all of your questions. You will leave knowing all about our school and understanding our approach. I think you are going to be extremely pleased. This is all about the children and getting them prepare for the 21st Century Workplace.
4/13/2009
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FRIDAY, APRIL 23 ALL DAY
EVERY THIRD FRIDAY OF THE MONTH
YOUR BUFFALO BILL'S BARBEQUE DINNER CARD
IS IN THE MAIL.
Show the card when you order in the restaurant or when your phone ordered meal is delivered. This is how we are guaranteed to be credited for your support.
Here is the link to the menu again.... www.yourhometownpages.com
Use the access code: 0132
Hey Brian, I’ll get the ribs!!!!
They make a great salad too!!!!
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We are in need of volunteers in our temporary enrollment and employment
office. We would like one parent per day to do a little admin work in assistance to Marie, Mr. Matthew's administrative assistant. Today she would have used the help to put email addresses in our. Rhonda stopped by and set up interviews for Instructional Assistants and Theresa called to get email addresses.
Would you have a few hours to volunteer in the office?
Call Marie 856-767-6755 or
mpiccone@tifecs.com
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The Board of Trustees accepted Dr. Beverly Hutton as board member.
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April's meetings are listed on the calendar, scroll down for our dates.
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DID YOU SEE THE BILLBOARD????
IT'S NEXT TO MONGAN'S GAS STATION.
4/2/09
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This is the announcement I love to make.
IF YOU ENROLLED YOUR CHILD IN THE MONTH OF MARCH,
CONGRATULATIONS THEY HAVE BEEN ACCEPTED. 
YOU WILL RECEIVE YOUR CONGRATULATORY LETTER IN THE MAIL VERY SOON. WE WILL HOLD AN ENROLLED PARENTS MEETING ON APRIL 23 AT THE LIBRARY ON COPPER FOLLY ROAD ACROSS FROM THE MIDDLE SCHOOL.
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We need to make a decision about the clothing. To be sure of your choice, I have started a BLOG with the question, Do you prefer uniforms or a collection of board approved articles of clothing?
Please click on BLOG and SPEAK your choice.
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I am ashamed to report the number of us who participated in our first fund raiser at Buffalo Bill's Barbeque.
Bear in mind, that there is a gap in the funding from the state. I do not plan to have many different find raisers throughout the year. No one wants to hear from me about a NEW way to raise money for the school every time you turn around. Instead, once a month eating at Buffalo Bill's will generate a substantial donation for us. I think it is worth the effort but it must be supported. If the parents do not want this we will stop.
April 17th is the third Friday and let's do this, in an excellent fashion.
You will receive cards in the mail.
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The Parents Only Meeting was tremendous. The meeting was held at the library in Room 1 and the turn out almost filled every seat. Our parents are engaging and demonstrate their care and concern for the education of their children.
The questions were many and Mr. Matthew and I could tell our parents
have high expectations of us. Again, they indicated they want to be able to contact us at anytime regarding the progress and or the
problems their child(ren) is experiencing. Mr. Matthew expressed his "open door policy" and extended a welcome to the institute at anytime.
Mr. Matthew introduced, Antoinette Thompson, parent and candidate for the position of Director. As we know, Mr. Matthew is retiring and is graciously giving the Institute the benefit of his many years of experience for the next two years. He will mentor the chosen director as he makes sure we meet all of the stipulations required by the New Jersey Department of Education with regard to opening and functioning.
Joleena invited the participation of the parents on the different committees and once again spoke of the need to fill the last parent seat on the Board of Trustees.
The board welcomed parent and eager to serve, Andrea Lomas, as the first seat holder. Andrea is a bright and highly involved educator who is full of ideas and input. She represents the parents well and will be an active and accountable member.
Thank you Andrea for your willingness to participate.
I would like to also recognizes Andy Helzer. He so wanted to be on the board and has a lot to offer. His time schedule would not allow it. I applaude him for his willingness to be of service to others. What a great example he is to his son, Jake and how fortunate we are to have his support. Andy,The reward is in having the heart to serve. Thank you.
3/31/2009
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Check the calendar for Informational Meeting and Enrolled Parents Meeting.
3/21/2009
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There is so much to do,
so many deadlines to meet,
so many professionals to hire,
so many decisions to make,
the board as decided to meet every week for a while.
As usual, you are invited to attend this public meeting.
Wednesday, March 25, the board meeting will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the temporary
Enrollment and Employment Office at 20 East Taunton Road.
This is the way I get here from Sicklerville. I take Williamstown Road past Dambley's, past Bringhurst, thru the light at the corner of Tansboro and Taunton Road. I get in the left lane and turn at the second opening, U turn into the office complex via the first driveway, (see the address sign close to the ground). Suite 540 is in the 2 story building on the left, on the first floor.
Hopefully everyone interested in participating on some level has contacted Joleena. jwbeverly@tifecs.com.
3/21/2009
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Thank you for your participation in last nights at Buffalo Bill's Barbeque.
I have not spoken to Scott to see how much we raised. I'll let you now when I get that information.
Oh, those ribs where w o n d e r f u l !!!!!
3/21/2009
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OK LETS GO EAT AT BUFFALO BILL'S BARBEQUE
3/20/2009
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At the last Enrolled Parents Only Meeting, a parent said she teaches computers.
Please call me at the office or email me lclemons@tifecs.com.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
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BUFFALO BILL'S BARBECUE
416 Sicklerville, NJ 08081
856-875-6000
Beginning
FRIDAY, March 20th
AND
EVERY THIRD FRIDAY OF THE MONTH
BUFFALO BILL'S NIGHT
11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
SCOTT AND BRIAN
HAVE SUPPORTED THIS EFFORT
LONG BEFORE WE RECEIVED OUR CHARTER.
THEY CONTINUE THEIR SUPPORT BY GIVING US
20% OF THE PROCEEDS.
The food is delicious and the menu is full.
You can see that menu on the web at...
www.yourhometownpages.com (use the access code: 0132)
To simplify our night, Scott has created cards and has laminated them.
When we order in the restaurant, we should show our card.
If we request a delivery, we should mention "the institute" when we order and
show the delivery person the card.
This is the only way we can guarantee that the sale is accounted to
The Institute for Excellence Charter School.
Click anywhere on this ad to print the temporary card for use on March 20.
We will get the laminated ones to you in time for April.
So put on yer fed bag and mozzy on down to Buffalo Bills',
the best doggone barbeque this side of the bridge.
Thank you in advance for your support.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
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3/3/2009
THE THIRD ROUND OF ENROLLMENT IS OVER....IF YOU APPLIED IN THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY,
IT GIVES ME GREAT PLEASURE TO INFORM YOU THAT YOUR CHILD HAS BEEN
ACCEPTED
CLASSES STARTING IN SEPTEMBER, 2009.
CONGRATULATORY LETTERS ARE COMING OUT THIS WEEK.
A SPECIAL ENROLLED PARENTS ONLY MEETING IS SCHEDULED FOR MARCH 26, 2009.
TO BE HELD AT THE SOUTH COUNTY LIBRARY, COOPER FOLLY ROAD,
ACROSS FROM WINSLOW JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL FROM 7 PM TO 9 PM.
COME AND GET MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS AWESOME SCHOOL AND MEET THE DIRECTOR AND STAFF
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WE HAVE ADDED A NEW PAGE TO OUR WEBSITE----POSITIONS-----WE ARE ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR TEACHERS, INSTRUCTIONAL ASSISTANTS, NURSE, CUSTODIANS, ADMINISTRATION ASSISTANTS
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2/22/09
Saturday, February 28, is the last day for enrollment for this round. Seats are filling fast - call your family and friends and suggest they not wait until the last minute to enroll.
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2/19/2009
Tonight' s Parents Meeting was EXCELLENT.
It was a pleasure to see the parents/partners again and to observe, on several levels, the excitement about The Institute for Excellence Charter School.
As an engaged and focused group, it quickly became evident that the final piece to our successful puzzle had fallen into place. PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT is key to our approach. We all understand that, the level of involvement has many factors played into it. What some can do others may not, we see that clearly. Besides, we know support when we get it. Thank you in advance for any and everything you do, right down to scheduled dinner and bedtime.
It is obvious that parents want an open line of communication between themselves and our staff of educators, counselors and administrators. Mr. Matthew suggested a few ways in which this can be accomplished. Our pledge to you is this: you will always receive reportable information immediately and your input will be considered in the administration's final approach to the situation.
The board will be discussing ways of making timely reports of progress available to you.
As we prepare our children for the 21st Century Workplace, being multilingual is essential. Our children will grow up understanding the need for effective communication within this global community. We begin by exposing them to and teaching several languages. The suggestion about foreign languages was a good concern and, proudly..... "we covered that".
I thought the discussion on discipline was a good one. Mr. Matthew made the point well that, when you add parents to our approach, we can all use minor ways of correcting behavior to ensure this behavior does not become a pattern.
I neglected to mention that the Board of Trustees meetings are public meetings and you can participate in the discussions and bring issues to the floor as well. These meetings are scheduled (until June) for the 3rd Tuesday of every month from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Stay connected for locations.
Joleena Wells-Beverly spoke to the parents as she was appointed by the board as the lead person for the Parental Involvement segment of the institute. She will be bringing before the board, recommendations for the final board seat mandated to be occupied by a parent. She will also be coordinating committees and defining their functions.
Contact Joleena and give her your level of participation and your suggestions.
Don't get her started about the cost of childcare !!!!!!!
Feel free to call the office or to contact any of us with your questions, concerns and suggestions and ideas. We remain available to you.
And may I once again thank you for entrusting us with your most valuable blessing, your children.
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Be sure to check the calender for the meeting nearest you.
2/6/2009
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The Board has approved Mr. Clifton Matthews as Interim Director and Mr. Philip Mammano, Esq. as board member.
2/4/2009
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Our second round of enrollment has ended. All applications have been accepted.
Congratulatory letters will be mailed this week.
Congratulations to our newest enrollees and parents.
We are still enrolling. Please invite your family and friends to contact us.
Our CALENDAR has February dates for Informational Meetings.
you must scroll to the bottom of the calendar for events scheduled
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I am so excited to inform you that we have moved into our temporary office.
The Institute for Excellence Charter School
20 East Taunton Road - Suite 540 - Berlin, NJ 08009
856-767-6755 telephone 856-767-6754 fax.
The office is located on the first floor in the rear and is open from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM Monday - Friday.
For your convenience the phone is answered from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM Monday - Thursday.
Additional information is available
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