Schools

Superintendent's Convocation Kicks Off Clark School Year

Staff celebrated past success and discussed challenges and visions for the new school year.

In what has become an annual tradition on the first day teachers report back to school each September, the Clark School District held its annual Superintendent’s Convocation in the auditorium of the Arthur L. Johnson High School in Clark.

Superintendent Kenneth Knops and Assistant Superintendent Ed Grande presided over a district-wide staff gathering that celebrated successes from the past school year, honored staff members for a number of special achievements and recognitions, introduced newly hired staff members, discussed challenges and visions for the upcoming school year, and featured welcoming back messages from a wide variety of community partners including Police Chief Alan Scherb, Library Director Dawn Jenkins, Clark Education Fund President Bob Brede, and Board of Education Member Henry Varriano.

Among the staff members recognized and honored at the Convocation were Teachers of the Year Adrienne Dubitsky-Norris from Valley Road School, Nancy Pflug representing Frank K. Hehnly School, Peter Nevargic from Arthur L. Johnson High School, and Nicole Viola as both the Carl H. Kumpf and District Teacher of the Year. 

Find out what's happening in Clark-Garwoodwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Those teachers earning tenure under statute were also presented with certificates these staff members included Anthony Caldiero, Cheryl Fabrizzio, Heather Hull, Bryan Klimchak, Casey Loalbo, David Geschwendt and Angela Winthers.  

Also honored were staff who had earned statewide recognition over the past school year, including Katrina Poskay for receiving the NJSIAA state-wide Field Hockey Award, Nicole Parlavecchio for having her program “Teaching, Technology, and the Tennessee Titans” selected as an “Innovation in Special Education” Award through the NJSBA, and Assistant Superintendent Ed Grande and Teacher Cristina Faro for being selected to present a workshop on the Progressive Mathematics Initiative at the New Jersey Principals and Supervisors Association Workshop in Long Branch this coming October.

Find out what's happening in Clark-Garwoodwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“I look forward to this event each September," said Superintendent Ken Knops.  "It’s the only chance we get all year to bring our entire staff together, and it’s an outstanding opportunity to recognize the many and varied achievements of staff, celebrate district successes, introduce our newly hired staff, and discuss the challenges and innovations for the school year ahead.”


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