Superintendent of Schools

A Message from the Superintendent of Schools

 

Dear Parents and Community Members,

Welcome to the Hawthorne Public Schools!

I am thrilled to begin another school year as the Superintendent of Hawthorne Public Schools. It’s a privilege to serve our close-knit community of students, parents, faculty and staff.

As a lifelong resident of Hawthorne, I deeply value the commitment of our Board of Education to provide exceptional education while considering our community's economic realities. As the Superintendent of Schools, I look forward to collaborating with our dedicated administrators, talented teachers, and supportive families and community members.

Hawthorne is a student centered pre-kindergarten through grade twelve public school district, serving approximately 2,300 students across six schools: Hawthorne High School, Lincoln Middle School, and Jefferson, Roosevelt, and Washington Elementary Schools, as well as our HOPE program and Bear Cave transition program for 18 to 21-year-olds. We strive to create a safe and challenging learning environment that fosters a love of learning, enabling every child to reach their full potential. We also hope our teachers' passion for learning will inspire our students to achieve academically.

The Hawthorne Public School District is committed to high academic standards, utilizing research-based teaching strategies tailored to meet our students' needs. Our instructional models encompass teacher-directed learning, student-led activities, cooperative learning, independent work, and differentiated instruction, ensuring all students have the opportunity to succeed.

In curriculum development, our administrators and teachers collaborate with our Supervisors and Director of Education to keep our programs up-to-date with the latest educational trends. This includes transitioning to a comprehensive, balanced literacy program across all grade levels. We also recognize the significance of professional development, and provide continuous training and support for our faculty throughout the school year.

Technology is increasingly important in education, and we prioritize its integration into our classrooms. Our one-to-one Chromebook initiative for grades 6-12, along with classroom sets of Chromebooks and iPads at the elementary level, enhances our instruction. We also utilize Epson Interactive projectors and support television production and broadcasting classes, as well as fully functional MakerSpaces at Hawthorne High School and Lincoln Middle School. Additionally, we’re excited about our STEM Labs at Lincoln Middle School and Hawthorne High School and the newly renovated art, science, culinary, music classrooms, and media center at Hawthorne High School.

Collaboration with parents is vital for our students' success. The partnership among parents, teachers, and administration ensures that every student achieves their individualized goals. Our schools have strong parent associations, an active education foundation, and a Special Education Parent Advisory Council, alongside excellent relationships with the Hawthorne Police Department and local government.

Keeping parents and stakeholders informed is also essential to our success. We aim to provide clear communication through our district and school websites, along with our social media platforms—Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. We welcome your feedback on how we can improve our online presence to better serve our community.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me at rspirito@hawthorneschools.org with any questions about our school district.

GO BEARS!

Dr. Richard A. Spirito
Superintendent of Schools