LINDEN PUBLIC SCHOOLS

September 12, 2025

Dear Linden Families,

Safety and security are ever-present concerns for our parents and our Linden community. As parents, you play a critical role in helping us maintain a safe environment for our children. In partnership with Mayor Derek Armstead and local agencies, we all understand that communication with parents is essential when alleged school threats are made. These situations are very difficult and frustrating, but we want to reassure you that every threat is taken seriously and addressed with professionalism, care, and thoughtfulness, with students as our priority.

The Mayor and I both grew up in Linden alongside many of our police officers, firefighters, teachers, and staff who serve our community today. Whether you are a lifelong resident or newer to our community, we all share the same commitment to protecting every student. We are committed to keeping you informed while balancing the need to protect our students and respect the legal limits of what we can share during investigations. We have implemented security protocols that allow us to keep our students safe. A shelter-in-place notification was sent to all families. Our district did not go into a Lockdown procedure.

Violence has no place in our schools. Our team encourages you to speak with your children about reporting anything deemed a threat. As the Mayor says, “If you see something, say something.” In our schools, notify an administrator, teacher, or staff member if you see something. Reminder, our notification system includes our new LPS Mobile App available for you to download in addition to text messaging, emails, and telephone calls. Please ensure your contact information is updated in our Genesis Portal. Contact your school's principal if you need assistance accessing or updating your information.

Thank you for your ongoing support and for working in partnership with us to ensure the safety of our students and staff of Linden Public Schools. We will continue to provide updates as they become available, and your safety and peace of mind are our highest priorities during this time. Please contact your building principal with any immediate concerns. Thank you for your patience and cooperation.

Be well,

Dr. Atiya Y. Perkins
Superintendent of Schools

🔥 Linden Fire Prevention Night 2025 🔥

Join the Linden Fire Department on October 3rd from 5–7 PM in front of Linden City Hall (301 N Wood Ave) for Fire Prevention Night! This year’s theme focuses on lithium-ion battery safety in your home. Fun, family-friendly activities and important fire safety information will be shared.

Autism New Jersey is excited to invite families in Union County to our FUN FEST: Union County Inclusion Day
at Warinanco Sports Center this Friday, September 12, 2025, from 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm.

Join us for a FREE afternoon of connection, creativity, and community for youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.

✨ Activities include:
Face Painting 🎨
Silent Disco 🎧
Arts & Crafts ✂️
Balloon Art 🎈
Pumpkin Decorating
Drones and Robots
Information Tables ℹ️
…and more family-friendly surprises!

This event is designed to celebrate community, inclusion, and fun, so ALL families are welcome, and we would love for your families to be part of it!

Families can reserve their spots today by registering here:
Fun Fest: Union County Inclusion Day
(or by scanning the QR code on the attached flyer)

The Union County Prosecutor’s Office has shared two important programs designed to support individuals with disabilities and their families:

🔹 The Blue Envelope Program
This program provides drivers with autism or other sensory disorders a resealable blue envelope to store their documents. It also includes instructions for both the motorist and law enforcement officers to help improve communication and understanding during a traffic stop. Blue envelopes are available at local police stations throughout Union County.

🔹 Public Safety Alliance for Individuals with Disabilities (AID)
A voluntary program that allows individuals with disabilities or special needs — or their loved ones — to share vital information with first responders. This helps ensure better safety, inclusion, and support during emergencies or other encounters. Learn more at https://www.ucpo.org/aid

We encourage families to review these resources and consider participating in these programs to help foster greater safety and community connection.

Dear Students,

Wow — what an incredible start to our school year! Your bright smiles, your laughter echoing through the halls, and the sheer energy you bring have filled my heart with overwhelming joy and gratitude. Every time I step into one of our schools, I am reminded why this community is so special: you. Your teachers have been sharing their excitement with me, too. I have been hearing, “So far, so good!” They tell me you are focused and ready to learn — and I have seen it with my own eyes. Here is what stood out to me as I visited your classrooms and walked through your hallways during these first three days:

R - Resilience: You have shown me what it truly means to be strong. Even when things feel new or challenging, you keep trying. You do not give up. Our varsity football players told me they are determined to keep their heads in the game and practice mental toughness on and off the field. I watched 6th graders wrestle with stubborn locker combinations — and win! These small victories matter because they reveal a bigger truth: resilience is your superpower.

O - Opportunities: Everywhere I looked, I saw curiosity at work. I heard students asking great questions. Two 7th graders proudly told me how they have been strategizing the fastest route to science class — not just to avoid being tardy, but to stay on track for their dream of becoming valedictorian, one even saying, “a second time!” That is the spirit I love to see. Never settle. Keep exploring, keep questioning, keep learning. That is how growth happens.

A - Achievement: One 3rd grader was honest: he would rather play video games at home. (I understand — we all have days like that!) However, when asked what he was writing for a writing prompt on how he could help in the classroom, he wrote that he would help others by working alongside them. That moment captured the very heart of kindness and leadership. Moreover, our youngest students melt my heart. When I ask our Pre-K and Kindergarten friends how they get home, they excitedly tell me about mommies and daddies, grandparents and siblings, even sharing details about cars, canes, and carriages. Their answers reminded me of how deeply we are all connected — and how thankful they are for the people who care for them. Achievement is not just about grades but about kindness and inspiring hope.

R - Relationships: Some of our seniors told me they are both nervous and excited for this final year of high school — a milestone that feels both thrilling and a little bittersweet. Two 7th graders shared that they have been best friends since they were three years old! Friendships like these remind me that relationships are at the core of who we are. Whether it is a lifelong friend or someone you just met, a human connection is what makes our journey meaningful.

Watching our District’s Vision come alive as you uncover your unique potential fills me with the most pride. Your creativity, individuality, and style shine through in every project you complete, every question you ask, and every choice you make. Tomorrow, we move into our first whole week of school. Remember this: it is okay to be still adjusting. You are doing wonderfully. We are learning, growing, and ensuring everyone hears our R.O.A.R.

We are also kicking off something exciting this month: our new program, #LPS_ShowUp&ROAR. September is all about attendance — showing up every single day. Because when you show up, you ROAR. Each day you walk through those doors, you send a message: I am here. I am ready. I am unstoppable. I believe in you — every single one of you. Keep showing up, keep rising higher, and keep making us proud. And finally, a warm shout-out to our families. Your partnership and support have made this first week smoother. You are the foundation that makes everything possible. To all our Grandparents, Happy Grandparents Day! I am a proud Grammy of five younger humans; it is a beautiful connection.

Take care from a student who is always learning,

Your Superintendent, Dr. Atiya Y. Perkins

Dear Linden Families,

I am joyful and excited to welcome you to the 2025-2026 school year! Students return on Wednesday, September 3, for a half day with lunch served, including September 4th and 5th. Our dedicated teachers and staff return on Tuesday, September 2, for professional learning that accelerates student achievement. Our school buildings are open and ready to welcome you. As we begin our second year of R.O.A.R., we remain committed to empowering each of you. R.O.A.R. stands for:

Resilience (don’t quit; resilience is our superpower)
Opportunities (don’t settle; be curious and ask questions)
Achievement (inspire hope and unlock peak performance)
Relationships (be kind and connect with those around you)

To our students, you are missed, and we cannot wait to see you. As you prepare for this school year, remember that true success comes from believing in yourself. I know you have incredible potential, and I want to see you participate fully in your learning journey. Be actively accountable for yourself and lift those around you by being your wonderful, authentic self. Here is what I believe will make this a phenomenal year: your voice truly matters to us, and we are eager to hear your thoughts, ideas, and dreams. We need you to show up, arrive on time, and give your heart to what you do; amazing things will happen.
Families, the new school year brings fresh opportunities for collaboration and connection. I am thrilled to engage with our students as I visit classrooms throughout the coming weeks. To build stronger partnerships with families, I commit to being present, perceptive, and purposeful in my daily interactions with the school community. Please ensure you are signed up for Genesis and have completed all required forms before the school year begins. Our Student/Parent/Teacher Handbooks guide our school practices and expectations, and the link has been emailed to you. You must sign off that you have read the handbooks through your child's Genesis page. Parents must be familiar with the handbook contents to support their child's understanding of our policies and expectations, creating consistency between home and school. If you have questions, please contact your child's teacher, case manager, or principal.

We stand united in promoting community excellence and opportunity on behalf of Linden Public Schools Administration, the Linden Board of Education, and Mayor Derek Armstead. This is our Mission Possible, and together we will help every student learn, grow, and believe in their Linden R.O.A.R. Enjoy these final days of summer.

Take care and be well,
Dr. Atiya Y. Perkins
Superintendent of Schools

Saddle Up for Success - Superintendent Spotlight Message 08/15/2025

Dear Linden Families,

There is an unmistakable buzz in the air as we prepare for the 2025–2026 school year, and I could not be more excited to share the momentum building across our district. This week, I enjoyed spending time with our exceptional district administrators during our annual Admin Week. This year's western-themed kickoff blended fun, team building, and focused vision-setting for the year ahead. From professional learning to collaborative planning—and even a little line dancing—our leadership team showed up with passion and united commitment to student success. My message to them was simple: "We lead together. We solve problems together. Moreover, above all, we stay focused on what is best for our students."

September will be here in two weeks. If this is your first year with us, know that we understand transitions can bring mixed emotions for families and students. Our Early Childhood department will send out Preschool Social Stories books for our families, and our middle and high schools have completed orientation sessions. If you need additional support, please reach out—we are here to help make this transition smooth and joyful. In addition, Mayor Armstead and the Mayor's Youth Commission, Communities in Cooperation, Inc., and the Linden Department of Parks and Recreation are hosting the annual Free Backpack Giveaway on Monday, August 25, from 5:00-7:00 PM at the Promenade in Linden. All families must register for the event using the attached flyer and QR code. This will be a fun experience for our students and families, and we value our partnership with the community.

Schools will send home their welcome back to school letters in the next few weeks. Student schedules are being finalized and will be available through the Genesis portal. Please ensure you have access to Genesis and contact your school if your address or telephone number has changed. As a reminder, District Policy 5511 – Student Dress and Grooming has been revised and will be presented to the Board of Education for approval at the August 21 board meeting at LINDEN HIGH SCHOOL. Details are available on our website.

Families have been arriving at schools for scheduled pickups to collect their free uniform packages—four shirts per student, individually labeled and ready to go. The excitement has been contagious, with smiles and plenty of Tiger pride. To continue with our Tiger Pride, our Linden Tigers Football team will take the field for their preseason opener on Tuesday, August 19, at Edison High School, led by new Head Coach Mark Ciccotelli, a multi-time state champion known for building powerhouse programs. Do not miss our home opener on Friday, August 29, at 7 PM at Tiger Stadium against longtime rival Elizabeth.

On September 1, we launch our new Strategic Plan, a living guide that will shape our work through visibility, responsiveness, and professionalism—all in service to student growth, equity, and excellence. Thank you for being such an essential part of the Linden Public Schools family. We are saddled up, ready to ride, and determined to make this year our best yet—together!

Enjoy our August weather and be well,

Atiya Y. Perkins, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools

REVISED NOTICE OF MEETING
REGARDING: LOCATION

The Work Session and Regular Meeting of the Linden Board of Education will be held on Thursday evening, August 21, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. at Linden High School, 121 West St. Georges Avenue, Linden, NJ.
(Action may be taken).

“The Board reserves the right to go into Executive Session during these meetings”.

SUBSTITUTE TEACHING WORKSHOP
In collaboration with the Union County Office of Education

This hands on workshop will guide you through the process of applying for a Substitute Teaching Certificate, ensuring you meet all the requirements and successfully complete your application with the NJDOE.

No education major needed! ALL MAJORS welcome. Join us for an informative session covering the required steps to get certified, including:

• Fingerprinting (How to schedule fingerprinting)

• Criminal Background Check (Completing a background check)

• Apply for Certification (Applying for your Substitute Teaching
  Certificate)

Workshop Details:
Date: August 20, 2025
Time: 11:00AM-1:00PM
Location: Kean University
1000 Morris Ave Union, NJ 07083
Hennings Hall 113

Register with this URL or the QR code on the attached flyer:
https://forms.office.com/r/Pj2Mrg0rzZ?origin=lprLink

Please see the attached for an important message regarding Student Standard Modes of Dress and Summer School

𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙮, 𝙎𝙚𝙩, 𝙐𝙣𝙞𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙢! 𝙎𝙘𝙝𝙤𝙤𝙡 𝘿𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙨 𝘽𝙚𝙜𝙞𝙣 𝙎𝙤𝙤𝙣 & 𝙊𝙣𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙚 𝙎𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙚 𝙇𝙖𝙪𝙣𝙘𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜

The final stage of our district-wide school uniform rollout is here! Here's what LPS families need to know:

𝗨𝗻𝗶𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺 𝗗𝗲𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗕𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗻 𝗡𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸
Shirts will be delivered to each school for family pickup. Your school will share details about distribution dates and times.

🛒 𝐎𝐧𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐋𝐚𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐨𝐨𝐧!
The official LPS uniform store, hosted by Kids World of USA, is in its final stages and will be live very soon. Families can order additional shirts online once the site launches. Stay tuned—we’ll share the link as soon as it’s ready!

𝐄𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝟒 𝐒𝐡𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐬 — 𝐅𝐑𝐄𝐄!
Provided at no cost to families as part of the new dress code policy promoting equity, pride, and a focused learning environment.

𝘼𝙡𝙡 𝙨𝙝𝙞𝙧𝙩𝙨 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙛𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙤𝙛𝙛𝙞𝙘𝙞𝙖𝙡 𝙚𝙢𝙗𝙧𝙤𝙞𝙙𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙙 𝙡𝙤𝙜𝙤: “𝙇𝙄𝙉𝘿𝙀𝙉 𝙋𝙪𝙗𝙡𝙞𝙘 𝙎𝙘𝙝𝙤𝙤𝙡𝙨”— a symbol of unity, pride, and a fresh start to the new school year!

ℹ️ Questions?
Visit: https://www.lindenps.org/article/2208923
📧 Email: uniformsupport@lindenps.org
Let’s get ready for a bold, unified, and inspiring school year!

MEETING NOTICE

A Work Session & Regular Meeting of the Linden Board of Education will be held on Thursday, July 24, 2025, at 6:00PM, at the School No. 1 Gymnasium, 728 N Wood Ave, Linden, NJ.

Webex Join Link
https://lindenps.webex.com/lindenps/j.php?MTID=m8b295d2485523e8b8f8f010d28e8a4a7

Webinar number:
2866 633 2830

Webinar password:
riPbi2NtJ53 (74724268 when dialing from a phone or video system)

Join by phone:
+1-646-992-2010 US Toll
+1-415-655-0001 US Toll
Access code: 2866 633 2830

𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐧 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥𝐬 𝐒𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐭 & 𝐀𝐫𝐭 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐰𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬: 𝐀 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡 𝐨𝐟 𝐌𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐜, 𝐌𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 & 𝐌𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐩𝐢𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐬!

LINDEN PUBLIC SCHOOLS, NJ -- We’re tuning up for an unforgettable month-long celebration of student talent across the Linden Public School District!

According to Matthew G. Lorenzetti, Supervisor of Fine & Performing Arts and Gifted & Talented Programs, the series kick off tomorrow (April 30) and culminate with the 47th Annual All City Music & Art Festival on May 28 -- 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐰𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭, 𝐫𝐡𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐦, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐝𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞, 𝐦𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐜, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐫𝐭.

𝐊𝐈𝐂𝐊𝐎𝐅𝐅: 𝐀𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐥 𝟑𝟎, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓.

--Linden High School Guitar & Orchestra Concert.

-- Linden High School | 7:00 PM.

𝐀𝐃𝐌𝐈𝐒𝐒𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐈𝐒 𝐅𝐑𝐄𝐄 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐎𝐏𝐄𝐍 𝐓𝐎 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐏𝐔𝐁𝐋𝐈𝐂

-- 𝐄𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐲 & 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐧 𝐚𝐭 𝟕:𝟎𝟎 𝐏𝐌.

-- 𝐌𝐢𝐝𝐝𝐥𝐞 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐧 𝐚𝐭 𝟔:𝟎𝟎 𝐏𝐌 (𝐕𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥) 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝟕:𝟎𝟎 𝐏𝐌 (𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥).

Linden Public Schools has proudly been named a “Best Communities for Music Education” district 11 years in a row — and this showcase is proof why!

Join us in celebrating the talent, creativity, and passion of our incredible students.