• October 2024

    Dear Lindenwold Families,

    Recently, the District became aware of several concerning posts shared on a community Facebook page. While, as a general practice, the District does not respond to social media discussions, we feel it is important, at this time, to respond to these concerns since they focused on the health and safety of our children.

    1. On Friday, it was brought to the District’s attention that there was a post stating vaccinations were administered to students within one of our school buildings. Please be assured this did not happen. No child, at any time, received a vaccination, a flu shot, or any other medical procedure for which our school nurses are not authorized to administer.

    However, during the week of 10/14/24, flu shots were offered to interested staff in each of our buildings. This was a free flu clinic available only to staff members.

    2. Due to limited space in the District, School 5 currently houses one preschool classroom. Staff from our existing Preschool at 100 South Avenue were transferred to School 5 for this one year while we wait for our Early Childhood Center to open in September 2025. We were very fortunate to have been able to transfer existing Preschool Staff to School 5 who have familiarity with many of our students and families from previous school years. Several of our School 5 classrooms even have the good fortune to dismiss from the exterior of the building which does allow for our students to be dismissed directly to a verified or known adult. As you may imagine, we are all looking forward to September 2025 so we can all be together again under one roof.

    3. On 10/17/24, a new substitute teacher left a classroom unsupervised during dismissal while escorting one of their students across the hallway. It is important to note, upon review of the video, the substitute teacher was out of the classroom for a duration of 20 seconds. Simultaneously, a student in the unsupervised classroom opened the door to a classmate’s parent who was waiting for the class to dismiss. Leaving a classroom unsupervised is a breach in security and not an acceptable practice.

    We are very grateful to the parent for alerting the District and administration to this breach in security protocol. This situation was addressed within the building, with the substitute service contracted provider, and school administration took immediate steps to ensure this breach would not be repeated by another substitute new to the job. We are all extremely concerned with this situation and are committed to doing everything within our ability to rectify it from occurring a second time.

    Please be assured security at all of our schools is taken very seriously. The District is committed to continually reviewing and adjusting our protocols to best meet the safety needs of our students and staff. I encourage all families to review the previously shared document which outlines all of our District security updates and safety procedures. This information can be found in the 2024 – 2025 District Safety Letter and on our School District Safety Webpage.

    We encourage our families who wish to constructively unite together to do so in a way that works with the schools. Identifying parents and guardians willing to establish a 2024 – 2025 Home & School Association would be a great way to stay informed and make a positive impact on our entire school community. Families can also get involved in our Varsity Club to support our extra-curricular programming. The District welcomes families who embrace a supportive and beneficial partnership with the school. Feel free to reach out to me or your child’s building Principal to be connected with other families wanting to get involved. On behalf of the District, I sincerely thank all of our families for their concern and support of all of our students and staff.

    Sincerely, 

    Dr. Kristin P. O'Neil

    Superintendent

    Lindenwold School District

     

  • October 20, 2024

    Dear Lindenwold School Community,

    It is with profound sadness that we inform you of the heartbreaking loss of one of our youngest students, Amiri Smith, a beloved three-year-old child in the Lindenwold Preschool. Our hearts go out to Amiri’s family, and our Lindenwold community extends our deepest sympathy to Amiri’s family, friends, and loved ones.

    We are heartbroken by this loss and are committed to standing together as a community. With the permission of the Smith family, I am sharing the following Go Fund Me dedicated to assisting his family during this extremely difficult time.

    Go Fund Me

    Help Us Honor Amiri's Memory

    In moments like these, it is important for us to come together as a community to support one another, including the staff and students who knew, loved, and cared for Amiri. We understand this loss will have a deep emotional impact on many in our school community, and we want to offer every support we can to help everyone cope.

    We have arranged for bilingual counseling services to be available for students, staff, and families who may need emotional support. If you feel your child is struggling with this news, we encourage you to reach out to your child’s teacher or school counselor for guidance.

    During times of grief, it is important to communicate openly and honestly with children in a way that is appropriate for their age. We encourage you to talk with your child about what they are feeling and answer any questions they may have. It is also important to remember that grief appears differently for us all, depending on our age, experience with loss and relationships. We want you to know that your child is not alone and that support is available at school and in our community. If your child or someone you know needs help, you can find additional support below.

    Students at School:

    • Visit the School Counseling Office to speak with someone.
    • The Lindenwold School District works directly with First Children Services and, with parent permission, counseling supports can be provided during the school day.
    • Lindenwold School District has obtained a grant for Camden County’s NJ4S - Statewide Student Support Services, and we can assist in connecting your child with their services.
    • Connect to your teachers and peers for support.
    • Review additional support services on our Counseling Department District Page.

    Lindenwold School District Offers Care Solace to help you find a provider: 

    • Call 888-515-0595 available 24/7/365 in any language.
    • Visit www.caresolace.com/lindenwoldk12 and either search on your own, OR click “Book Appointment” for assistance by video chat, email, or phone.

    In an emergency: 

    • Call 911 and request a Crisis Intervention Trained (C.I.T.) response
    • “988” is the three-digit, nationwide phone number to connect directly to the Crisis Lifeline.
    • 2nd Floor Helpline is for Teen Support - call or text 24/7 at 1-888-222-2228
    • Trevor Lifeline LGBTQ+ Crisis Support: 1-866-488-7386
    • Text “Hello” or “Home” to 741741 to connect with support

    Please keep Amiri’s family, friends, classmates, teachers, and support staff in your thoughts, and please do not hesitate to reach out if there is anything we can do to support you.

    Sincerely,



    Dr. Kristin P. O’Neil

    Superintendent
    Lindenwold School District

     

     

     

     

     

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