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Health & Fitness

Schools Opened with Smiles and Perfectly Sharpened Pencils

My son balked for our first-day-of-school ritual, please smile on the front steps for my camera. His grimace pretty much let the world know he’d rather be heading any place else on September 9.

But the smiles were certainly brighter at the high school, where seniors celebrated their last “first day” with green beads, painted faces, and yes, even tutus. There were tears in kindergarten on their first "first day," for sure, but many more wore toothless smiles and matching shirts proclaiming their own senior year in 2026.

And that, of course, gave their moms and dads their own reason to cry on the first day of the academic year for more than 5,800 students in the Livingston Public Schools.

Principals greeted students with fist bumps. First graders gripped perfectly sharpened pencils to write the morning message for September 9, 2013. School supplies spread out across desks, and students struggled to hang brand-new backpacks on closet hooks. Sixth graders practiced combinations to open locks. Freshmen hurried to make it to class on time.

Livingston’s new Superintendent Dr. John B. Alfieri visited 50 different classrooms across the district. “What struck me No. 1 – the buildings are immaculate; No. 2 – every teacher, without fail was engaged with his/her students and the students were physically, intellectually, and emotionally safe. The atmosphere of each Livingston building screams to the observer that great teaching is happening here!”

IN OUR SCHOOLS


The Teacher as Scholar: Looking at 5th grade test scores, a Livingston elementary school teacher advances research on standardized testing.

Congratulations to our National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists: 12 LHS seniors are honored.

Grade 6: Pillars of Character: At Mt. Pleasant Middle, lessons build on the equation: Character = Integrity + Courage.

Raising Resilient Girls: Learn what parents can practice to help their girls be authentic, confident and connected.

COMMUNITY NEWS

The LHS Football Program is selling the Lancer Player's Discount Card for $15. Purchase cards @ www.lhsfootball.net

Auditions for 'Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory' : Livingston Community Players is casting roles for both adults and children ages 8 and up.

For Families and Kids: An Old-Fashioned Picnic on the Oval: Music, carousel, games and food to celebrate Livingston @ 200 on September 22.

Livingston Chinese School Accepting New Students: School promotes and advances the diverse cultural heritage of the Chinese community in Livingston.

LYCS Leaders Begin in October: Program offered by Livingston Youth and Community Services teaches leadership, healthy life choices and social skills.

Shining Star Soccer League: This league is specifically created for children with special needs. 

Candidates Night for the Livingston Board of Education: League of Women Voters will present the opportunity on October 2 to learn more about the candidates running in the November election.

Project Graduation Wants You: This alcohol and drug-free celebration is completely run by parent volunteers – from the fundraising to pay for the event to the supervision that night. Volunteers are needed from all grade levels. Learn more about how to participate on Wednesday, September 25 at 7 p.m. in the LHS Media Center.

See more Community News on the LPS Bulletin Board by clicking here.

The Livingston Board of Education meets 7:30 p.m. Monday, September 16. See the agenda by clicking here.

Marilyn Joyce Lehren is the manager of communications/community outreach for Livingston Public Schools. Follow on Twitter @ #LivSchools; Like us on Facebook @ Livingston Public Schools

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