Twitter at Green Hills School

GREEN — In the midst of Green Township being acknowledged as one of the best places to live in New Jersey, Green Hills School boasts a strong presence on Twitter, a social media site which enables users to send text messages of 140 characters or less.

This is one example of the new trend of school superintendents and other community leaders finding innovative ways to communicate to their cohorts.

The Green Hills account is managed by Superintendent John Nittolo.

“One of our goals is always to effectively communicate via press and newsletters," Nittolo says. "Twitter is a very simple and fun way to do so.”

He has received very positive feedback from members of the community, who access the tweets announcing something a teacher is doing, something that is happening in the hallways, or a large event everyone should know about.

To Nittolo, who was hired as Principal of Green Hills School in November 2009, his 200-plus Twitter followers represent a community that is on-board with the goals and decisions he has made regarding the innovative and tech-savvy school.

Prior to Green Hills, Nittolo spent the majority of his career teaching in Livingston. Most recently he was a principal in West Orange. His experience in public schools is extensive, as he began his career as a teacher at Newark Boys Chorus School, a private performing arts school in Newark.

Nittolo, whose two children both attend Green Hills, says that Twitter is only one example of how the school has evolved during the last five years.

“A change has occurred — an evolution, revolution, renaissance," Nittolo says. "Where we are now is a great place. We have happy students that are engaged in their learning, an unbelievable faculty and administration, and a public that supports yet appropriately holds the administration’s feet to the fire.”

Nittolo admits that he has a job to do. He also believes that a place like Green Hills can easily become the best school district in New Jersey if that is what the goal is.

“We have involved parents, a healthy budget and engaged students," he says. "If this place fails, it’s my fault. People deserve the best and I’m trying to give them that.”

The Superintendent can be followed on Twitter @GreenHills411.