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    Homecoming: A Celebration of Education and Community – October 14-16, 2011 
     
      
    September 20
    , 2011 – As the summer heat fades bringing a slight chill to the morning air and with the first few weeks of school underway, we begin to look forward to the activities associated with fall.  Homecoming is one such event.  The Livingston Second Annual Homecoming Weekend – October 14-16 2011, sponsored by the Livingston Education Foundation (LEF) and its partners will provide a wide range of activities in celebration of education and community.  From pre-k to high school, from alumni to senior citizen, there is something for everyone.

     

    Beginning on Friday morning, October 14 as a culmination of Spirit Week, LHS Hall of Fame 2011 Inductees, Robert E. Grady, class of 1975Charles “Chuck” Jaffe, class of 1980; Alan B. Krueger, class of 1979Alfred Savia, class of 1971; and Joanne Silberner, class of 1973 will visit to speak to high school students connecting their personal experiences, education and achievements with current students’ interests and class content.  Students will participate in an afternoon Pep Rally in preparation for the next day’s Homecoming Football Game.  From 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Katherine Hall Page, LHS alumni, class of 1965, and award winning author of mystery novels and short stories will speak at the Livingston Public Library.  Her talk, entitled, It’s a Mystery to Me, is free and open to the public.  No registration is required. For more information go to http://livingston.bccls.org

     

    Dinner guests will arrive at 7:00 p.m. that Friday for the LHS Hall of Fame Dinner at the Cedar Hill Country Club to background music played by student representatives of the LHS String Orchestra, a 100 member multi-faceted performing group, under the direction of music teacher Nancy Ciminnisi.   In addition to the Hall of Fame Honorees, several members of the Livingston education community will be presented with LEAD Award for Leadership in Educational Achievement and Dedication.  This year, the Foundation will recognize Eli Gorelick, Robert L. Grady, Melvin Klein, Pam Clause McGroarty and Jerry Walker to honor their efforts toward the creation and success of the Livingston High School Hall of Fame. 

    “The dinner will be a wonderful opportunity to bring family and friends together in a reunion to reminisce, while honoring our most distinguished graduates.  The goal is to provide an opportunity to reacquaint our alumni with their roots here in Livingston and to inspire our youth to understand the connection that Livingston has with the global community through a combination of commitment to public education, passion, interest and giving back to others,” said Amy Saffer, past Hall of Fame recipient and co-chair of the Hall of Fame Committee.  Proceeds from the Dinner will go to support Technology for the 21st Century Classroom in the Livingston Public Schools. To purchase seats for the Dinner or to send a message to the honorees and LEAD Award recipients in theHall of Fame Ad Journal, go to the LEF website at www.livingston.org/lef .  The deadline for both is September 30.  This year, in partnership with the P-T Council of Livingston and the individual school PTA’s and HSA’s, several gift baskets will be raffled-off at the dinner.  There will also be a 50/50 for which tickets can be purchased in advance as well as the evening of the dinner.  For learn more about the 50/50 contact Trudy Bier at tbier@aol.com .

     

    On Saturday, October 15, activities begin at the Livingston Mall LEF Barnes and Noble Bookfair.  From 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., supported by the Livingston Public Schools Administration and the Livingston Education Association (LEA), volunteer teachers and staff will read to pre-k and elementary school children.  This activity is open to the public. Throughout the weekend, attendees of the Bookfair can purchase a special smoothie, the ‘Liquid Lancer’, at the café and anyone wishing to pre-order an original, chocolate mousse or pumpkin cheesecake  from the Cheesecake Factory will be able to pick-up their orders.  Proceeds from the Barnes and Noble Bookfair will go to benefit the Livingston Public Schools through LEF for Technology for the 21st Century Classroom. For more information about the Bookfair, to download a cheesecake order form and to get LEF Bookfair coupons go towww.livingston.org/lef. 

     

    At 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, the Homecoming Football game played against West Side High School on the LHS Turf will showcase our student athletes and LHS Marching Band.    At 3:00 p.m. in the LHS Fitness and Wellness Center there will be a Girl’s Varsity Volleyball Quad.  Both events are open to the public. From 7:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. will be the Student Homecoming Dance at LHS.

     

    The LEF Barnes and Noble Bookfair will continue on Sunday, October 16 with Individual Book Club Meetings.  From 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. there will be an Open Mic with performances by high school students organized in partnership with HCHY.  It will be student organized and run.  Middle and high school students are encouraged to attend.

     

    The following weekend, on Sunday, October 23 LEF is excited to once again be partnering with the Big ‘L’ and the West Essex YMCA for the Livingston 5-K Run.  This multigenerational event will feature Fitness Fun set-up and manned by Livingston Public Schools Physical Education Teachers, a 1-Mile Run/Walk, a 5-K Run certified by the US Track and field of NJ and booths providing information about health and wellness and health and wellness products.  

     

    “LEF is thankful to all of the volunteers-parents, members of the school community and township and alumni who have been working tirelessly to make this homecoming weekend happen,” said Heidi Cislo, LEF President.  She continued, “We look forward to bringing together the past with the present to celebrate education, to continue to advocate for excellence in our public schools and to recognize that the rewards of an outstanding school district can touch the far reaches of the globe as well as our own community.  Livingston is a special Township where education is truly valued.  Raising awareness, advocacy and generating funds to support our public schools is essential. Hopefully, participation in the Homecoming Weekend will provide fun and support at the same time.  Please leam more about the weekend and about the LEF at www.livingston.org/lef .”