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Livingston Public Schools

Empowering All to Learn, Create, Contribute & Grow

LPS Spotlight: November 10, 2026

Posted Date: 11/10/26 (03:44 PM)

A green banner for "LPS Spotlight" featuring spotlights, the district logo, and the date November 10, 2026.
A collage of six photos showing children and adults wearing various fun costumes for a school event.
HALLOWEEN 2026: Halloween magic was in full swing across our district on October 30th! From creative group themes to classic favorite characters, our incredible teachers and students went all out with their costumes!
A green banner with white text that reads "THIS WEEK'S HIGHLIGHTS".

New In This Edition:

  • Calendar Reminders
  • Board of Education Meeting TONIGHT!
  • LINK: Fang Gong Wins BOE Election
  • HMS Fall Play
  • Heritage Debate Star
  • Star on the Rise
  • Students Perform with Army Band
  • LHS Model UN Shines at Conference
  • LINK: Abel Paul Rushes for 500 Yards
 

CALENDAR REMINDERS: November 2026

Wednesday, November 25: Early Dismissal for All

Thursday and Friday, November 26 & 27: District closed for for Thanksgiving Recess. 

Monday, November 30: Delayed opening for students/Staff professional development

A green banner with the white text 'BOARD NEWS' centered.

BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING: November 10, 2026

*Please note that tonight's meeting will be held at Heritage Middle School.

The Livingston Board of Education will hold a public meeting tonight, Tuesday, November 10, 2026 (7PM)  in the Heritage Middle School auditorium, 20 Foxcroft Drive. The agenda will include an update and discussion on the proposed referendum. 

Tonight's meeting will be held in a hybrid format during which participants will have the ability to ask questions and make comments either in person or via the webinar. Register for the webinar using the link below. The meeting will also be livestreamed on the district's Facebook page, @LivSchools.

 
A collage of nine different school buildings, each labeled with its name: Burnet Hill, Collins, Harrison, Hillside, MPE, Riker Hill, MPMS, Heritage, and LHS.

REFERENDUM RESOURCES

As we work together to plan for the future of our schools, community input and transparency are our top priorities. We have created a Referendum Resources webpage that will serve as the central repository for all official materials, data, and updates discussed during Board of Education meetings as we approach the upcoming referendum vote.

Currently on the page you will find the most recent demographic studies and the Referendum Options that were presented to the Board over the summer. We will continue to add information. We encourage all residents to explore these resources, stay informed, and engage with us throughout this collaborative process.
 
Fang Gong Wins BOE Election!
A green banner with the white text 'DISTRICT NEWS' centered.
hands holding a cell phone that is showing the parentsquare app feed

DO YOU HAVE THE PARENTSQUARE APP??

If not, please give it a try! It’s like having our own personal, secure social media feed for everything happening across Livingston Public Schools.

Instead of searching through inbox clutter, open the app to scroll through your custom feed for school emails and news -  and district-wide announcements - all in one central hub. Plus, you can select your preferred notification frequency and receive automatic translations in your home language.

As more families download the app, we look forward to growing how we share and connect together!

How to join:
  1. Download ParentSquare from your phone's app store.
  2. Sign in using the email address you have registered with LPS.
  3. Customize your notifications and start scrolling your feed!

 
A banner with white capital text reading 'STUDENT NEWS' set against a solid dark green background.

HMS THEATER PRESENTS "LAW & ORDER: FAIRYTALE UNIT"

A satirical illustration titled "LAW & ORDER: FAIRY TALE UNIT By Jonathan Rand" features a fairy godmother judge sitting between a pair of scales holding a wolf and three pigs.
Order in the court! The Big Bad Wolf is on trial, the Three Little Pigs are demanding justice, and the fairy tale justice system has never been more ridiculous! Join HMS Theater for Law & Order: Fairy Tale Unit, a hilarious comedy by Jonathan Rand featuring our talented 7th and 8th grade students. With familiar fairy tale characters, unexpected twists, and plenty of laughs, this is one trial you won’t want to miss!
Performances:
  • Friday, November 13 at 7:00 PM
  • Saturday, November 14 at 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM
Tickets: $10 Adults | $8 Students & Seniors
 
A young person stands in a brightly lit living room, wearing a dark blazer and trousers.

HMS DEBATE CHAMP EXCELS NATIONALLY

Heritage Middle School eighth grader Anaisha Bothra has had an outstanding year in competitive debate! Competing against top students from across the country, Anaisha has demonstrated remarkable dedication, sharp critical thinking, and outstanding public speaking skills at several national tournaments.

Her impressive accomplishments this season include:
  • Co-Champion – Marist Ivy Street Invitational (Debating: "The United States Federal Government should enact a moratorium on hyperscale data centers")
  • Semifinalist – Georgetown Invitational
  • Semifinalist – Harvard UKTOC International Tournament
  • Quarterfinalist – National Speech and Debate Season Opener
  • Octofinalist – UCLA Invitational
 
A smiling man in a black t-shirt and glasses stands next to a young boy wearing a yellow Lakers jersey, number 77.

STAR ON THE RISE!

Exciting news! LPS fourth grader Mason Gourvitz has been cast in Harlan Coben’s new Netflix series, currently in production. He will be stepping into the spotlight to play the role of young Myron Bolitar from Coben's popular books.

This casting is extra special for our community given our deep connection to the author. Bestselling writer Harlan Coben is a proud graduate of Livingston High School, and LHS even served as a primary filming location for his previous Netflix series Shelter, which was based on his popular young adult novels about Myron’s nephew, Mickey Bolitar.

Congratulations to Mason for landing this incredible role and carrying on our local connection to Coben's stories!
 
A smiling young boy stands proudly in front of a Junior Olympic Track and Field Championships backdrop, wearing medals around his neck.

USATF JUNIOR OLYMPICS

This past summer, Yukai Liu-Duan competed in the 400-meter dash at the USATF Junior Olympics. After qualifying at the NJ State Championships, he advanced to the Regionals, where he finished 5th with a time of 1:07. He then raced at the National Championships in California, advanced to the semifinals round and was placed 25th nationally among 9-10 years old athletes!
 

STUDENTS PERFORM WITH ARMY BAND

The United States Army Field Band’s Jazz Ambassadors recently brought their nationally acclaimed sound to Livingston Public Schools, for a free community concert! Known as "The Musical Ambassadors of the Army" and the military's most traveled musicians, the Washington, D.C.-based big band performed in the Livingston High School Fitness and Wellness Center. Students Brand Shyu and Connor Li had the awesome opportunity to play with the band on a song!  
A green banner with the white text 'PARENT NEWS' centered.

WHAT SHOULD I DO WHEN A SCHOOL IS IN LOCKDOWN?

An informational flyer titled SCHOOL LOCKDOWN SAFETY, outlining safety protocols and how parents can help during emergencies.
LPS takes school security very seriously and follows all of the safety protocols that are practiced regularly with the Livingston Police Department. These protocols include school lockdowns, which are a vital safety procedure to protect everyone in the building. They can be used for a wide range of situations, including medical emergencies, to ensure the well-being of all students and staff. Parents have a part to play in school lockdown safety as well!

5 WAYS THAT PARENTS CAN HELP DURING A LOCKDOWN SITUATION:

  1. Try Not to Panic: It's easy to assume the worst when a school goes on lockdown, but there are many reasons why lockdowns are enacted for the safety of students and staff. Remain calm for both yourself and your child.
  2. Check Texts/Emails: The district will send out a notification when a lockdown is enacted, as well as updates, and a notification when a lockdown is lifted via text and email. Make sure that your emergency contact information is up to date in the Genesis Portal.
  3. Don't Share Lockdown Info on Social Media: In most cases, detailed information and transparency are good things, but they can be harmful during situations that cause schools to lockdown.
  4. Don't Call the School: During lockdowns, every staff member has a job to do to contriubute to a safe and positive outcome. Fielding phone calls distracts from these responsibilities.
  5. Don't Go to the School: During a lockdown situation, schools are not accessible and the law enforcement officers need to focus on the situation, not crowd control.


*We appreciate that these situations can be upsetting for those involved. Please know each of our schools have counselors that are available to help students process any thoughts or feelings they are experiencing following a lockdown situation.
 
A circular logo with a large green 'L' superimposed on a globe, surrounded by text.

PARENT CONCERN PROCESS

Livingston Public Schools strives to respond to concerns and/or questions as quickly and effectively as possible. In a school system, as in any organization, the “chain of command” refers to communication levels of authority in the school district. The philosophy behind the chart in the link below is to refer community members to those people in the organization who can best solve any concerns or questions that may arise, and then direct them to the appropriate people if issues are not able to be effectively addressed at the first level.

Explore LPS Communication Tools
Learn About 988 Suicide Lifeline
Mental Health Support Info
A banner with a solid green background displays the white text 'LANCER NEWS'.

LHS Model UN Shines at Conference

A group of students dressed in formal attire pose together in a school hallway.
At the end of October, 16 talented LHS Model UN delegates represented our district at Franklin High School's annual conference. Our students spent weeks thoroughly researching and debating critical global issues, including wildlife trafficking, digital censorship, cyber crime, autonomous weapons systems, the space race, and the crisis in Tigray.

A special congratulations to our award-winning delegates for their exceptional diplomacy and debate performance:

  • Mayuri Narang - Outstanding Delegate
  • Lily Schor - Distinguished Delegate
  • Pranav Atreya - Most Improved Delegate
 
Abel Paul Rushes For 500 Yards
A green banner with the white text 'STAFF NEWS' centered.
A healthcare worker wears light green scrubs, a magenta stethoscope, and a red heart cutout in the pocket.

HELP WANTED: SUBSTITUTE NURSES!

Are you a Registered Nurse looking for a flexible opportunity to make a difference in the lives of children and families? Join our team of Substitute Nurses and become an important part of the LPS community.
Why substitute with us?
  • $250 per day
  • Flexible scheduling - work when your schedule allows
  • A rewarding opportunity to work with students and support their health and well-being
  • Be part of a welcoming and supportive school environment
Qualifications:
  • Current license issued by the NJ Board of Nursing as a professional Registered Nurse (RN)
  • Must possess or be eligible for a Substitute Nurse Certificate
  • CPR/AED certification required
Interested in joining our team?
Contact: Carolyn Ross (cross@livingston.org)
Your expertise can make a difference in our school community!
 
Collage of 'We're Hiring!' posters for various teaching positions at Livingston Public Schools.

JOIN THE LPS TEAM!

Visit our Employment Opportunities webpage to learn more about available positions at Livingston Public Schools.

Interested and qualified applicants are invited to apply via our online application. Our administrative staff will be reviewing resumes and contacting those individuals who they feel will best meet the needs of the positions we have available at this time. Some screening will be conducted over the phone, and some interviews will be in person and others will take place online using online platforms. Since we have many positions available, we are not able to return phone calls regarding open positions or status of applications.

 
A green banner with the white text 'COMMUNITY NEWS' centered.

Check Out These Community Programs!

A promotional flyer for Livingston Youth & Community Services (LYCS) detailing after-school programs for grades 1-12, featuring photos of participating youth and program details.
A promotional flyer for the West Essex YMCA Middle School Initiative Program featuring kids exercising and playing basketball.
Flyer for LACD Arts & Crafts programs for children and adults with special needs, featuring dates, time, and location.
Flyer announcing free After School Sports for children with special needs in Livingston, New Jersey.
A colorful fall-themed flyer for Livingston Adaptive Recreation's Shining Stars program, featuring sports and activities.
A senior man and a young girl sit together indoors, featuring the text 'LISTEN TO CHILDREN' and program information.
 

Need help? Visit ERESCCARES.ORG

The Essex Regional Educational Services Commission (ERESC) Education of Homeless Children and Youth (EHCY) Program has an online resource for children, youth and families experiencing homelessness. Visit https://eresccares.org to be referred to find free or reduced-cost resources like food, housing, financial assistance, health care, and more.
 
Logo for Livingston Public Library featuring a green building icon and text.

LIVINGSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY

Looking for homework help, a quiet study nook, or your next favorite read? The Livingston Public Library offers endless opportunities for Livingston Public Schools students and families. Beyond thousands of print books and audiobooks, your library card unlocks free access to online databases like Tutor.com, Mango Languages, research tools, and museum passes.

Whether you're stopping by for after-school programs, tech gear from the Library of Things, or just a quiet spot to focus, the library is your dedicated space to learn, create, and connect. Visit livingstonlibrary.org or stop by 10 Robert H. Harp Drive to sign up for your free library card and learn more about all that the library has to offer!
 
LTV Livingston logo with green and yellow accents.

WATCH LTV! IT'S ALL ABOUT LIVINGSTON!

LTV, Livingston, NJ's community access television channel, can be found on cable television via Comcast (Channel 34) and Verizon (Channels 26 and 28). Additionally, LTV can now be found online at www.LivingstonTV.org, which provides a live stream of the cable channel plus numerous shows available to watch ON-DEMAND! LTV is operated by the Livingston Public Broadcasting Committee, a group of volunteers (adults and high school students) who recognize all the good that Livingston has to offer; have an interest in television programming, production, operations and marketing; and give their time toward promoting local information, entertainment, and education to all members of the Livingston community!
 
An award graphic for the New Jersey School Public Relations Association, stating School Communication Award Winner 2026.
LPS Spotlight
2025-2026 School Year / No. 4

Michelle Bent
Manager of Communications
Livingston Public Schools
(973) 535-8000 ext. 8036

LPS Spotlight is the official e-newsletter of Livingston Public Schools.