<![CDATA[THE ROOSEVELT BOROUGH BULLETIN

<![CDATA[THE ROOSEVELT BOROUGH BULLETIN - RPS Superintendent]]>Mon, 14 Aug 2023 01:57:18 -0700Weebly<![CDATA[Roosevelt Public School is on the list of 2020 most endangered historic sites in New Jersey]]>Mon, 15 Jun 2020 20:54:12 GMThttp://rooseveltboroughbulletin.org/rps-superintendent/roosevelt-public-school-is-on-the-list-of-2020-most-endangered-historic-sites-in-new-jerseyBy Mary Robinson Cohen,
Superintendent and Principal Roosevelt Public School

Since state budget cuts were announced that threatened to close RPS, and way before becoming a RPS school board member last January, Michael Ticktin has actively sought creative ways to save our school and - I say with extreme gratitude - since his appointment, he has not stopped!

A week ago, Michael sent me an invitation to make a presentation at Preservation NJ about Roosevelt. Frankly, I had no knowledge of the group, but agreed to do so. Last Thursday via Zoom, the group revealed 10 sites in New Jersey that deserve acclaim and preservation and RPS was on it.

I was thrilled to represent RPS, along with Michael Ticktin, to share our history as a community school along with our current status - including our designation as the top elementary school in Monmouth County and spotlight at Morven - and to invite the other attendees to visit.

Our budget woes and uncertain future were well known before the Covid-19 crisis; all school leaders expect the current situation to exacerbate our pre-existing concerns. I, however, am hopeful that as more people learn about our unique history and current academic excellence that we will find a way to preserve our treasure.

I was delighted to see an article in Sunday’s paper about the group and their list of the most endangered historic sites in New Jersey in 2020; for more information, please see this link to NJ.com:
https://www.nj.com/news/2020/05/here-are-njs-10-most-endangered-historic-sites-for-2020.html

]]><![CDATA[From CSA Mary Cohen]]>Fri, 30 Nov 2018 08:00:00 GMThttp://rooseveltboroughbulletin.org/rps-superintendent/from-csa-mary-cohenBy Mary Robinson Cohen

Greetings to Everyone from Roosevelt Public School! Our school opening went well and we have 80 students in grades Pre-K to 6 happily learning - 30 of our students come to us under the Interdistrict Choice program - this year they are from as near as East Windsor and Millstone and as far away as
Trenton. We would welcome many more, but the state limits the number of children we can accept.

We welcomed two new teachers: Ms. Bucolo in first grade and Mrs. Ruggieri in Music. We continue to share services with Millstone in our Business Office and on account of this arrangement, we were able to employ our Spanish teacher, Mrs. Dellea, full time.

Once again, our children have excelled in the PARCC assessments. There is really no secret to why they do so well: at RPS, we have motivated, committed parents; remarkable teachers learning and utilizing all of the best practices that help students to achieve; and my leadership model is to use data to drive our instruction, while providing an enriched environment.

Our Board of Education is in the second year of advancing strategic goals that were set by the community: that plan serves as our guidepost in deciding what individual goals and actions the school will strive to attain. We have hit a bit of a curve ball in terms of school funding - recent state legislation projects a funding formula that may have a devastating impact on RPS; at this time, we (myself and the Board) are looking into all of the ways to lessen this impact. I am happy to note that I have received an outpouring of support from Mayor Malkin and Council, and their commitment to help in any way they can.

Sincerely,
Mary Robinson Cohen, M.A., J.D.
Superintendent and Principal
Roosevelt Public School
mcohen@rps1.org

]]><![CDATA[Coffee Wtih the Principal]]>Mon, 02 Jul 2018 17:06:46 GMThttp://rooseveltboroughbulletin.org/rps-superintendent/coffee-wtih-the-principalOn Wednesday May 9th, RPS held its first “Coffee with the Principal.” Mrs. Cohen invited Dr. Carol Funk, RPS School Psychologist, to speak with parents about how to help children through crises in what she termed, “uncertain times.”
Dr. Funk’s presentation included insights about the nature of stress, natural causes of trauma, problematic stress responses, and tips to enable parents to help their children get through critical situations and stressful or traumatic circumstances.
Mrs. Cohen is hoping to host more of these" judgment free” forums where parents can openly exchange their questions and ideas about raising children.
]]><![CDATA[Superintendent's Message: September 2017]]>Sun, 10 Sep 2017 20:13:58 GMThttp://rooseveltboroughbulletin.org/rps-superintendent/superintendents-message-september-2017From the desk of Mary Robinson Cohen, Superintendent and Principal

Welcome Back to School!

September is always exciting – for the children and grownups alike. As I write this, at the end of August, we are getting the outside and inside of RPS ready so that school year 2017-18 can begin. How fortunate we are to have a building that is steeped in history, has an exceptional art collection, grounds that allow children to get outside for recreation every day that the weather cooperates, a supportive community that is engaged with our students and staff and teachers that have high expectations for every one of our students. I am delighted to begin my fifth year as part of the RPS family.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Kelly Tyers, Debbie Thomas,
Mayor Ellentuck, Council Members Lipoti, Ticktin, and Bonna for the support that they have offered me, personally, and to the school in my tenure here.
]]><![CDATA[Spring has come to RPS!]]>Tue, 23 May 2017 16:55:26 GMThttp://rooseveltboroughbulletin.org/rps-superintendent/spring-has-come-to-rpsBy Mary Robinson Cohen, M.A., J.D.
Superintendent and Principal
Roosevelt Public School

Students and staff celebrated Earth Day on Thursday, April 20, by attending an opening assembly about birds of prey and then spending the day learning about our trails in Roosevelt, wildlife and plastics, art, and the environment and gardening - in our own school garden!
Mr. Santanello, Mrs. Gazzani and resident Diane Lowrie were the planners of our day and worked in partnership with the Roosevelt Environmental Commission, the PTA, the NJ State Park Service and AmeriCorps Watershed Ambassadors. We were happy to have Mary Tulloss and Steve Taylor join us in our garden and in helping our students plant trees. At the end of the day, each student went home with a sapling and a hand painted penguin rock and lots of information on how to take care of our environment.
Graduation is fast approaching. Please put June 10 on your calendars - for graduation and the 80th Anniversary Celebration of RPS. We are honored to have a member of the Roosevelt Family join us for the festivities; so please help us spread the word to alumni and current and past residents of Roosevelt!

]]><![CDATA[APril Newsletter]]>Sat, 22 Apr 2017 18:25:07 GMThttp://rooseveltboroughbulletin.org/rps-superintendent/april-newsletterRPS students are excited that spring is finally here! They continue to balance their study time with play time and look forward to the outside games that they play on the school field during recess every day; kickball is still a school favorite, but soccer is catching up. The new playground equipment is getting a lot of use and everyone loves when Mr. Kaufman puts up the tether ball! The Spelling Bee, Talent Show, Spring Concert and Art Show are coming up and the community is always invited to attend.

I ordered tables and benches for our playground because RPS is one of the few schools that I have seen where so many parents and grandparents pick up their children after school; I want our parents and grandparents to be able to sit and enjoy the afternoon sun while the children play. I know that watching my children play and chatting with other parents were highlights for me when my own children were in elementary school!

Springtime has brought some of the annual events that the community looks forward to—the PTA sponsored carnival was great fun for grownups and children alike; and new events that may become traditions—the Roosevelt Foundation will host its first pasta dinner where families and teachers will share a meal together. RPS sponsored a Family Math Night facilitated by a presenter from the University of Pennsylvania; it was well attended and parents and children learned math strategies while enjoying pizza provided by our Board of Education.

I would like to remind everyone that our graduation is on Saturday, June 10th, and it is the 80th anniversary of RPS. I am hoping that you will spread the word and that alumni from near and far will come back to school and share memories!

Mary Robinson Cohen, M.A., J.D.
Superintendent and Principal
Roosevelt Public School
mcohen@rps1.org
]]><![CDATA[RPS Students Exercise Right to Vote]]>Tue, 17 Jan 2017 19:25:23 GMThttp://rooseveltboroughbulletin.org/rps-superintendent/rps-students-exercise-right-to-voteBy Mary Robinson Cohen

Student Council Advisors Ms. Wolf and Ms. Lawson used Election Day as an opportunity to teach students about the voting process. Students in all grades 1 through 6 campaigned to become Student Council representatives and on November 8th, the student body cast their votes for their class representatives.

]]><![CDATA[ After School Enrichment Clubs at RPS ]]>Thu, 27 Oct 2016 15:54:43 GMThttp://rooseveltboroughbulletin.org/rps-superintendent/-after-school-enrichment-clubs-at-rpsBy Mary Robinson Cohen

We are fortunate that at RPS we are able to provide enrichment opportunities for our students; we have staff members who are willing to design programs and our school budget allows us to provide stipends to teachers and open up the programs free of charge to students.
If you have walked around the school grounds lately, you may have noticed that our landscape has been beautifully enhanced by the addition of colored mums - they have been planted by our new gardening club!
The new club was introduced this fall by Mrs. Gazzani and is an extension of the gardening lessons which she always integrates into her third grade curriculum. Since Miss Ilene left, Mrs. Gazzani has been spearheading Earth Day activities and her students have been responsible for coordinating the collection of composting items at lunch, planting in the school garden and harvesting flowers, herbs and tomatoes.
Now, students in all of the upper grades have an opportunity to extend that learning throughout the year. Mrs. Gazzani has plans for club members to cook with, and make crafts from, items grown in the garden. Mrs. Faunce, our new preschool teacher will be helping as a co-advisor to the club; her own sons have been active in FFA activities in Upper Freehold.
Ms. Bondy’s reporters are on the prowl for news stories throughout the building—stay tuned to read their journalistic offerings in this bulletin!
Studio Art is a long standing club and Mrs. Witlieb continues to offer sessions throughout the year. It is such a popular club that she has to offer two fully subscribed sessions each week; our new kiln, provided by the Roosevelt Education Foundation, is getting a lot of use.
We introduced homework club last year and it continues to meet twice a week—this time the registration was so big that we needed to add an additional teacher to help. Students are guided by Ms. Wolf, Ms. Lawson and Mrs. Eppinger.
It is my hope that we will continue to offer RPS students these amazing opportunities. In addition to providing a model of whole school enrichment, the clubs connect students and staff in settings outside the classroom and allow students to explore extra curricular areas that may spark lifelong interests.

]]><![CDATA[September 2016 Letter]]>Tue, 13 Sep 2016 20:57:40 GMThttp://rooseveltboroughbulletin.org/rps-superintendent/september-2016-letterBy Mary Robinson Cohen, RPS Superintendent

Dear Community,

The beginning of a school year is always an exciting time. We all start fresh after some rest and relaxation and reaffirm our commitment to teaching and learning. This September we are especially thrilled to welcome everyone back. Six of our classrooms have been totally renovated and are bright, warm places where our children can learn. In addition, we have a new outdoor space for fun: we constructed a new playground and some of our students have already given it two thumbs up! You will hear that we are beginning a year of strategic planning - to assess where we are as a school community and where we want to go in the future.

Roosevelt is a special place—please stop by to see our new additions and partner with us in education by joining the strategic planning committee. I look forward to seeing you!

Sincerely,

Mary Robinson Cohen, Superintendent and Principal
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