Montclair Public Schools

Dear Parents/Guardians:

This week I am particularly encouraged to send an update on the Montclair High School (MHS) facilities. My encouragement stems from overwhelming support from our staff, administrators, students, and families to ensure that students are safe, secure, and LEARNING. While I maintain that our focus must be on safety, as we reconfigure the physical space, I also maintain that our school district is in the business of education. And, because of the extraordinary efforts of teachers, guidance/student assistance counselors and support staff during this time, we are educating, our students are learning, and we are staying focused on our essential mission of keeping students first.

Now, as we end the third week of this challenging time, please take a moment to see what is on the horizon:

1. Due to the loss of 31 classrooms, MHS must cancel its traditional Back-to-School night.  However, we are planning a general Fall Welcome Event. The date and time of this event will be announced shortly.  With limited space, our district's content leaders and select MHS staff will oversee informational sessions about the following:
   1. Content classes,
   2. Grade-specific guidance update,
   3. Facilities overview and update, and
   4. After-school activities update.

2. The final Ninth Grade Orientation for families who missed the two sessions in August, will be held on October 4, 6:30 pm, in the LGI.

3. As a reminder, Senior Parent Night will be held on October 4 in the MHS Auditorium at 7 pm.

4. The high school teachers will email course expectation documents to all parents/guardians by the close of business today. And, course syllabi are posted on our District's website at http://www.montclair.k12.nj.us/schools/montclair-high-school/academics/course-syllabi/.

5. Our next formal facilities update will be shared at the October 3 Board of Education Meeting at or around 7:45 pm. At that time, the plan for temporary classrooms will be shared.

As I reflect on these past three weeks, I see the resilience and powerful spirit of the Montclair community hard at work. Please know that I will continue to update you with pertinent information, and I welcome your attendance at the October 3 Board Meeting.

Thank you for attending our scheduled K-8 Back-to-School Nights to date.  The events have been great. And, it has been great meeting many of you at these amazingly well-organized and executed gatherings.

Have a great weekend. In pursuit of excellence, equity, social justice and access,

Kendra V. Johnson, J.D., Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools