Welcome to Park Ridge Public Schools 2009-2010 School Year

Park Ridge School district's Mission Statement:  The  Park  Ridge  School  District  is  committed  to  the  mission  of  educating  all  students  to  achieve  the  New  Jersey  Core  Curriculum  content  Standards  at  all  grade  levels.   The  district  will  nurture  all  students  to  be  life long  learners,  ethical  and  responsible  citizens,  and  independent,  productive  members  of  a  global  society.    

cALENDAR ALERT

bECAUSE OF STATE REQUIREMENTS THAT SCHOOLS ARE IN SESSION FOR 180 DAYS, IF WE HAVE TO CANCEL SCHOOL FOR ANY MORE DAYS, THEY WILL NEED TO BE MADE UP, AS WE HAVE USED THE THREE SCHEDULED SNOW DAYS.  aS WAS ANNOUNCED LAST SPRING, WHEN THE CALENDAR FOR THIS YEAR WAS APPROVED,  tHE FIRST DAY OF THE APRIL BREAK, APRIL 12, WOULD NEED TO BE A SCHOOL DAY IF THERE IS ONE MORE SNOW DAY; THE SECOND DAY OF THE BREAK, APRIL 13 WOULD NEED TO BE A SCHOOL DAY IF THERE ARE TWO MORE SNOW DAYS.  tHE PROGRESSION WOULD CONTINUE THROUGH THE WEEK

wHILE EVERY HOPES THAT INTERRUPTING aPRIL VACATION WILL NOT BE NECESSARY, FAMILIES NEED TO KEEP THIS IMPORTANT INFORMATION IN MIND AS THEY ARE PLANNING ACTIVITIES FOR THE BREAK.  

iF YOU NEED CLARIFICATION ON THIS, PLEASE DROP ME AN EMAIL OR CALL MY OFFICE, BUT KNOW THAT THIS IS A STATE RULE BY WHICH ALL NEW JERSEY SCHOOLS MUST ABIDE, AND i CANNOT ALTER THE REQUIREMENT.

pAT jOHNSON, SUPERINTENDENT

superintendent search update

Updated 3/6/10 --  The superintendent's search is progressing satisfactorily with the Board of Education meeting the established target dates in the process.  On March 1, The board of education met with the consultant from the New Jersey School Board association (njsba) to screen applications and establish a schedule to interview acceptable candidates.  As you may recall, The board of Education had contracted with NJSBA to assist in the search for a superintendent to replace Dr. Johnson, who had announced her retirement, effective July 1,2010 (see letter below).   The first round of interviews for Dr. Johnson's replacement is scheduled to be completed by mid-march.

The projected official date for the new superintendent to be announced is May 1.  By New Jersey law, the new superintendent cannot be appointed until after the school board election and the newly elected members are officially sworn in at the reorganization meeting, even though only incumbants are running.

iF you have any questions about the process, you may contact Susan McCuster, who is the search consultant,  at 

SUPERINTENDENT SEARCH – PARK RIDGE
New Jersey School Boards Association
413 West State Street
Trenton, NJ 08618

Phone 609-695-7600     Fax 609-695-1577

An open letter to Park Ridge Residents --

At the October 19TH meeting, WITH DECIDED AMBIVALENCE, I asked the Park Ridge Board of Education to approve my retirement, effective July 1, 2010.  the lure of spending more time with my family and friends and pursuing interests that have been sidelined for many years has much appeal.  however, the joy that I get from working in Park Ridge -- with students, staff, parents, and the community at large -- cannot be minimized.  It made the decision to leave very difficult.   I could not have asked for a more fulfilling and enjoyable experience than what has been afforded TO me in Park Ridge for these past four plus years.  

While retirement is on the horizon, For the remainder of this school year I will remain totally committed to our district.  our building renovation project is being planned as I write this, and We are continuing our preparation for the comprehensive evaluation by the department of Education scheduled for early February.   I will continue to visit classes, attend school events, tend to our budgets and operations, and be the head "cheerleader" for the Park Ridge Schools through June 30, 2010.  i PROMISE THAT yOU WILL SEE MUCH OF ME!

 The Board of Education has begun the process of searching for your next superintendent.  I am committed to assisting in whatever ways are needed so that the transition to a new administration is as smooth as possible.  I ask that you all share that commitment with me.

iN CLOSING, i thank ALL OF YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO TO MAKE OUR SCHOOLS SUCCESSFUL!

PAT Johnson

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