September 18, 2026

Dear Linden Families,

At Linden Public Schools, we want every student to feel safe, supported, connected, and valued at school. One of the best ways for us to understand how we are doing—and where we can continue to grow—is by listening to the voices of our students, families, and staff.

This fall, our district will participate in the New Jersey School Climate Improvement (NJ SCI) Survey. The survey was developed by Rutgers University and is administered to help schools gather multiple perspectives on school climate and the experiences of members of the school community.

The feedback collected through the NJ SCI Survey will help us better understand what is working well in our schools and identify areas for improvement. Survey results will be used to support school and district planning and our continued efforts to create positive, welcoming, and supportive learning environments for all students.

The NJ SCI Survey is anonymous and voluntary. Students, parents/caregivers, and school staff will have an opportunity to share their perspectives. A separate communication with instructions for completing the parent/caregiver survey will be sent in October. Your voice is important to us, and we hope you will participate.

School and district staff will be able to view survey results through a password-protected online platform. Individual responses are combined by respondent group for reporting purposes. For example, parent/caregiver responses will be combined with responses from other parents/caregivers. No one will have access to an individual respondent’s answers.

The student survey will be administered from October 5, 2026, through November 2, 2026. Families may preview the student survey questions in advance using the links below:
Students Grades 3-5 Survey; Students Grades 6-12 Survey.

The student survey gives us an important opportunity to hear directly from students about their experiences at school. However, participation is voluntary, and your child does not have to participate in the survey. If you have questions about the survey or would prefer that your child not participate, please contact your child’s building principal by October 2, 2026.

If you do not contact the school by October 2, 2026, it will be understood that you give permission for your child to participate in the survey should your child choose to do so.

Thank you for partnering with us and for helping us better understand the experiences of our students and families. Your feedback helps us continue building school communities where every student can learn, grow, and thrive. Enjoy the weekend and remember there is no school on Monday, September 21, in observance of Yom Kippur.

With Purpose,

Dr. Atiya Y. Perkins
Superintendent of Schools

Snapchat & Instagram Risks: LIVE district parent event!

Is your teen begging for (or already using ) Snapchat and Instagram?

If so, tune in as Dr. Atiya Y. Perkins, along with a panel of superintendents and SmartSocial, goes LIVE to explain why teens flock to Snapchat and Instagram—and the risks every parent should understand.

These apps can be fun and creative, but big risks are hiding behind features like disappearing chats or “spam” and “finsta” accounts. What feels private to your teen can actually fuel comparison, anxiety, cyberbullying, and risky behavior.

You’ll learn how to:
Understand why and how teens use these apps to connect
Spot the hidden risks of disappearing messages and secret accounts
Discover how filters, streaks, and Snap scores affect self-esteem
Get practical strategies to guide, protect, and reconnect with your child
LIVE Parent Event: Snapchat & Instagram Teen Risks: Hidden Dangers of Disappearing Messages & Secret Accounts
( You're welcome to bring your student!)

When: Wed. Nov 19th at 7 PM (ET)
Where: Register now to be entered for a chance to win a Kindle or 3D Printer*!