Sparta Education Association: Good News for July

SPARTA, NJ – At the board of education meeting, Sparta Education Association President Angela DeLuccia shared good news about the staff and school district.

Good Evening, My name is Angela DeLuccia and I am the very proud president of the Sparta Education Association. While I know the wheel of progress never stops turning, it is my sincere hope that everyone has had at least a little time to enjoy their summer so far.

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Just a few short weeks ago we celebrated the promotion of our eighth graders and the graduation of our seniors-and both ceremonies- while extremely warm were extremely successful. We are very grateful that the administration was amenable to the accommodations for staff due to the extreme temperatures. We always appreciate the opportunity to have open and honest conversations.

For the SEA and the Sparta School district as a whole- we know that summertime is no time for slacking…Our IT department has been busy preparing the buildings and equipment to ensure that our students and staff have the most up-to-date technology and access. Our 12 month secretaries have been hard at work laying the foundation for an organized opening to the 2024-2025 school year. Many educators are contributing to supplementary student learning through meaningful lessons and work in our ESY program. And almost 80 Sparta Schools community members have come together to form a very friendly pickleball league.

The SEA is very glad to see policy revisions listed in tonight’s agenda.

An attendance policy that helps to ensure students are in school more often is the essential first step to more effective and efficient classroom experiences and outcomes. When students are present they are more successful and the revised definition of excused absences will certainly help.

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And when they are present, limited access to cell phones for high school students and no cell phones in the earlier grades has myriad benefits. If we can eliminate one major distraction- this allows our educators to focus on the priorities: the lessons, the learning, and the relationships. Our students are a “cell phone generation” (Haidt)- most of them are used to having that device with them at all times. We understand that this may be a learning curve for them- and us. But, with a decrease in cell phone access and use in school, we can increase our face to face relationship- building skills, foster community, and make positive improvements to mental health- this is all in addition to reinforcing the teaching and learning priorities in the classrooms. (Haidt).

Many SEA members are engaged in professional development this summer. These books are reader-friendly and contain easy to digest data that helps to solidify the rationale behind the change in the policy and future changes in student behavior expectations. The Anxious Generation, Stolen Focus, and Parenting in the Screen Age are outstanding resources for the entire school community - I highly recommend, if you have not done so already-that you pick up one or all of them.

Soon enough we'll be welcoming everyone back- but until then, let’s continue to work, communicate, and enjoy the summer.

Thank you.

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