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NJ Governor Mikie Sherrill and Dr. Lily Laux, Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Education, visited Eldridge Park Elementary School on September 9, 2026. They greeted students and families during student arrival.

Welcome back, LTPS! On Wednesday August 26, we officially kicked off the 2026–2027 school year at our annual LTPS Convocation Day! It was an incredible morning filled with excitement, connection, and LTPS pride as we welcomed back our amazing staff.

As we begin a new school year, we are reminded of the incredible people behind everything that makes Lawrence Township Public Schools so special. From our classrooms and cafeterias to our buses, offices, buildings and beyond, it takes all of us to make a difference for our students.

Watch the video here!

LAWRENCE TOWNSHIP, NJ — Lawrence Township Public Schools (LTPS) and the Lawrence Township Police Department (LTPD) are celebrating an exciting expansion of their longstanding community policing partnership as the district prepares for the future of its transformed secondary campus.

As part of the planning surrounding the voter-approved $98 million bond referendum and the continued evolution of the Lawrence Middle School and Lawrence High School campus, LTPS and LTPD are proud to announce the addition of a second full-time Lawrence Township Police Department officer assigned to the campus, effective on the first day of school at LTPS, September 1.

With this addition, one full-time LTPD officer will be assigned to Lawrence Middle School and one full-time officer will be assigned to Lawrence High School.

The expansion represents much more than an additional layer of support and safety. It is an investment in relationships.

The officers will become familiar faces in each school, getting to know students, staff, and families while also building connections that extend beyond the school day and into the greater Lawrence Township community.

“This is such an exciting partnership because it truly is a win-win for everyone,” said Dr. Robyn A. Klim, Superintendent of Lawrence Township Public Schools. “Our students will have the opportunity to get to know the officers who serve their community, and those officers will get to know our students; not just as students in a school building, but as young people and members of our community.”

By having dedicated officers at both Lawrence Middle School and Lawrence High School, students will see and interact with familiar faces throughout their school experience. Those same officers may also see students at community events, in neighborhoods, and throughout Lawrence Township, helping to build relationships based on familiarity, trust, and mutual respect.

“Community policing is all about building relationships,” said Chief of Police, Kevin Reading. “Having two full-time officers assigned to the 7–12 campus gives us an incredible opportunity to become even more connected with the students, staff, and families of Lawrence Township. We want our young people to know the officers who serve them, and we want our officers to know the young people and families who make up this community.”

The expanded partnership comes at an exciting time for Lawrence Township Public Schools as work continues on the referendum projects that will transform the Middle School and High School campus. While the physical improvements will create enhanced learning spaces and opportunities for students, LTPS and LTPD believe that investing in people and relationships is equally important. 

The collaboration also directly supports LTPS's commitment to Community Engagement & Involvement, one of the priorities identified through the district's Strategic Plan.

“This is community partnership in action,” Dr. Klim said. “Our schools, our police department, our Township, and our families all share the same goal: creating the very best environment possible for our young people to learn, grow, and thrive. The addition of a second full-time officer allows us to strengthen those connections in meaningful ways.”

Both LTPS and LTPD are enthusiastic about what the expanded partnership will mean for the future.

For students, it means knowing the officers they see at school and in the community. For officers, it means getting to know the students and families they serve. For the schools and the community, it means working together toward a shared vision.

One campus. Two dedicated officers. One stronger community.

“This is truly a partnership that benefits everyone,” said Chief Reading. “We are incredibly excited to continue building on the strong relationship between LTPD and LTPS and to be an even more visible, connected part of the school community.”

As Lawrence Township Public Schools continues to prepare for the future of its secondary campus, the strengthened partnership between LTPS and LTPD is another example of what can happen when a community comes together.

It is a win for our students. A win for our schools. A win for our officers. And a win for the entire Lawrence Township community.

Beginning this fall, all public school districts in New Jersey are required to implement a bell-to-bell cell phone policy. At Lawrence Township Public Schools, this aligns with our district's already existing Away for the Day initiative, which is designed to create classrooms where students are fully engaged, connected with one another, and focused on learning.

Research continues to show that reducing distractions from personal devices during the school day helps students improve attention, strengthen relationships, and support their overall well-being. Our goal is to provide an environment where every student can be fully present from the first bell to the last.

The good news is that LTPS is already ahead of the curve. Away for the Day has already been in place across our schools during instructional time, and the expansion of this policy applies primarily to the high school to include passing periods, lunch, study halls, and other supervised school activities during the school day.

What "Away for the Day" Means

Students may bring personal devices to school but must keep them powered off and stored throughout the entire school day, from arrival to dismissal. Storage expectations may vary by school and grade level. For example, students may be expected to keep devices in backpacks, lockers, or another designated storage location identified by their teachers or principals.

This includes:

• Cell phones
• Smartwatches
• Tablets
• Wireless earbuds or headphones
• Any other personal internet-enabled device

When Your Child May Still Use a Device

The law does not leave students without options when there is a real need. Your child will still be permitted to use a personal device when: it is part of their IEP or 504 plan; it is needed for a documented health condition; it is needed for translation; your child is a caregiver routinely responsible for a family member; a teacher approves it for a specific classroom activity; it is required by law; or there is an emergency.

Families who believe their child requires an accommodation should contact their child's school so appropriate arrangements can be made.

How Families Can Help

Your partnership is essential to the success of Away for the Day. Before school begins, we encourage families to:

• Talk with your child about the new expectations.
• Remind them to power off and put away their devices before entering school.
• Contact your child's school if you have questions or believe your child may qualify for an accommodation.

Together, we can create classrooms where students are engaged, connected, and ready to learn every day.

Thank you for your continued partnership and support for our Away for the Day initiative across Lawrence Township Public Schools. We look forward to another outstanding year of distraction free learning, growth, and success.

Whether you're new to Lawrence Township Public Schools, returning for another school year, or simply looking to learn more about the district, we invite you to join us for our Welcome to the Neighborhood event!

Meet district leaders, Board of Education members, and local community organizations while discovering the many resources available to LTPS families. Learn how to stay connected through district communications, access important announcements and calendars, explore Title I information, and find out how LTPS supports students and families throughout the year.

Bring the whole family! Children can enjoy free karate or art classes while parents connect with school and community partners.

Tuesday, September 8
6:30–8:00 p.m.
Lawrence High School Cafeteria
2525 Princeton Pike

Please register by scanning the QR code on the flyer or https://forms.gle/5wtu1ff4xU4aFghJ8.

LTPS summer office hours are Monday-Thursday, 7:30AM - 3 PM. The district is closed on Fridays through August 21.  Please contact 609-671-5500 or email info@ltps.org with any questions.

Important Summer Dates:

ESY runs from July 6 - August 6

Connect Session 1 runs from July 6 - July 16

Connect Session 2 runs from July 20 - July 30

Camp Eagles (elementary) runs from July 6 - July 30

Teen Eagles (LMS & LHS) runs from July 6 - July 30

LIS Jumpstart for incoming 4th graders runs from August 10 - August 13