Dear Colleague:

I hope the summer respite is going well and you have had opportunities to relax with family and loved ones.  In the district, summer school and extended school year has recently concluded, along with various youth and community programs.  While these were unfolding, the final component of a previous referendum finished off with the paving of the high and middle school parking lots and adjacent areas.  Additionally, several professional and staff development projects took place, consistent with the strategic plan and other educational focus areas.  A few of those included Project Read, Diversity training, Differentiated Instruction, along with many others.  Dozens of staff members have attended seminars and workshops, which will continue throughout the school year.

I am very excited to have assumed leadership of your school district and hope my contributions are beneficial toward the improvement of the teaching and learning process.  Toward that end, I have been meeting with as many stakeholders as possible, trying to understand the various needs of the constituents I serve.  Each meeting brings me a little closer to my own understanding of where we need to be educationally and otherwise.  One focus point I believe we can capitalize on in the near future is in the area of communication.  Given the size of our district, combined with the need for timely dissemination of information, we will implement a mass communication system.  This vehicle, known as Honeywell Instant Alert, will enable us to send out phone (home and cell), text and email messages to thousands of contacts in a matter of minutes.  Moreover, the system has a myriad of utilities to make us more productive and efficient.  Before too long, I hope to announce that the traditional ‘grapevine’ phone chain is a thing of the past.

I am also pleased to announce that we have established an annual seminar, through which Roxbury will arrange for a noteworthy individual to speak about education.  This year, on November 21^st, our guest for the initial seminar will be Dr. Howard Gardner.  We will host this event at the Morris County Fire and Police Academy.  Further information about this event will be communicated to you through your building administration.  I, like you, recognize the rigors and challenges of providing the best academic experience for all learners.  While this is no easy task, it is my firm belief that together we can do a lot more for students.  Thus, in the spirit of collegiality and cooperation, I welcome you to the 2008-2009 school year. 

Educationally,

Michael A. Rossi, Jr.

Michael A. Rossi, Jr., Ph.D.