Teachers of the Year Celebrated by
Board of Education & Administration
The following Middletown educators were honored before the April 27 Board of Education Meeting for exhibiting outstanding performance, impacting student achievement and quality of public schools, and improving academic opportunities. As the 2021-2022 recipients of the Monmouth County Superintendents’ Teacher/Educational Services Professionals Recognition Program, we commend and congratulate them.
Each recognized educator received a certificate and an award from the Board of Education and Administration. The audience was treated to a video showcasing the impact each educator has made on their respective school communities. Watch the full Teacher of the Year Playlist by following the link, or review individual videos below.
MTPS Summer Learning 2022
We are excited to offer a variety of summer learning experiences for MTPS students! Please complete the MTPS Summer Learning 2022 Survey by May 13 to help us determine the most appropriate method of delivery for programs that were delivered virtually in 2020 and 2021. Look for registration forms for all programs in the PowerSchool Parent Portal after May 16.
Instrumental Music Instruction, Grades 3-8 
  • Small group instrumental music instruction will be offered for students in grades 3-8.
  • Lessons will provide sectional targeted instruction for interested students to enhance musicality.
  • Interested students will be put into groups based on experience, availability, and need as determined by the teachers.
Esports Camp, Current Grade 5-8 Students
  • Students will engage in an Esports “Summer Launch” program, which will include instruction in competitive play skills, sports journalism, “shoutcasting”, digital media design, video editing, sportsmanship, emotional regulation, and numerous other career and life skills.
  • Each camp session will run Monday - Friday from 8:30am-11:30am and repeated weekly if student registration warrants.
MTPS Summer Book Club Series, Grades 3-12
SOAR (Summer Opportunities for Academic Readiness), Grades K-8 by invitation
  • By invitation-only, for students identified as needing academic intervention during the summer. Email invites will be sent by May 16.
  • Small-group sessions in Literacy and Math held at Middletown Village Elementary (grades K-8) and between July 11 - August 4 
  • 2 weeks of instruction for each content area, Monday - Thursday, 8:30am - 10:30am
  • Continuation of intervention services conducted during the school year
Advanced Placement Summer Start-Up 
  • Open to all students registered for an AP course for the 2022-23 school year
  • Held during the month of August 
  • Hybrid experience of review and a start of the first two weeks of course work
Algebra I, Algebra II, and Geometry Jumpstart
  • Open to all students registered to take Algebra I, Algebra II, or Geometry during the 2022-23 school year
  • Held during the month of August
  • Review of math concepts necessary for success with Algebra I, Algebra II and Geometry
High School North Trio
Earns Rank of Eagle Scout
Congratulations to High School North students Vankata Chalamalsetty, Daniel Pitzer and Cristian Saravia for earning their Eagle Scout ranking. The rank of Eagle Scout is the highest achievement attainable in the Boy Scouts of America program. According to Boy Scouts of America statistics, since the inception of the Eagle Scout rank, only four percent of scouts have achieved the rank. By earning this exemplary achievement, Vankata, Chalamlsetty and Pitzer join a fraternity of approximately 2.5 million Eagle Scouts, including four Nobel Prize laureates, 12 Medal of Honor recipients and more than 40 astronauts.
Bayshore Poet Pens
First Place Winning Prose
Bayshore Middle School sixth grade student Jeff Jiju was recently celebrated by the Superior Court of New Jersey for earning first place in the sixth grade category of the court system's Law Day Poetry Contest.

Recognized around the nation on May 1, Law Day recognizes the role of law in our society and aims to cultivate a deeper understanding of the legal profession. One method used by the Superior Court of New Jersey to facilitate this awareness is through its annual Law Day Poetry Contest.

The 2022 contest theme was "Toward A More Perfect Union: The Constitution in Times of Change." Jeff's award-winning response to that theme, titled Ode to the Constitution, is available by following the link.

The American Bar Association, had this to say about this year's theme:

“We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union…” are the opening words of the U.S. Constitution. At 4,400 words and signed in 1787, it is one of the shortest and oldest written constitutions in the world. It is a dynamic document, as it not only outlines a blueprint for government, but also delegates power, articulates rights, and offers mechanisms for change. It is neither perfect, nor exhaustive, as our nation’s history makes clear. Legislation, court rulings, amendments, lawyers, and “we the people” have built upon those original words across generations to attempt to make the “more perfect Union” more real. That effort continues today, as contemporary leaders and everyday citizens raise their voices as loud as ever to fulfill the promise of the Constitution. Defining and refining those words of the Constitution might be our oldest national tradition, and how each of us works—together—toward a more perfect Union.

Jeff will be honored during a May 3 ceremony by the Monmouth Bar Association, the State Bar Foundation and Monmouth Viciniage, in addition to receiving a citation from the Monmouth County Commissioners.

Congratulations to Jeff on his wonderful work!
MTPS Resource Center:
School & Community Mental Health
This space is dedicated to the promotion of mental health resources in our schools and local community. Please refer to the district site for a comprehensive list of resources: Mental Health & Community Resources
You may have heard that on July 16, 2022, 9-8-8 will become the nationwide 3-digit dialing code for mental health crisis and suicide prevention. It will replace the 1-800 number currently used by the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.

On this date, when someone dials or texts 9-8-8 all phones in the U.S. (mobile and landline) will connect with the mental health crisis/suicide prevention system. This will allow anyone in the U.S. to contact 9-8-8 and receive help designed specifically for someone dealing with a mental health crisis.
  
In an effort to inform as many people as we can about this new lifeline in New Jersey, Assistant Commissioner Valerie Mielke of the Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services has created a presentation about the 9-8-8 system that will provide an overview. Should you have questions after you watch this presentation, please email 988Questions@dhs.nj.gov

Thank you for your interest in 9-8-8. We are eager to begin this new journey in July with all other U.S. States and Territories. We hope Assistant Commissioner Mielke’s presentation will shed some light on the plans for this life-saving system as it evolves in New Jersey.
MTPS Curriculum Department
Wins Advanced Placement Grant
The Middletown Township Public School District was selected among a group of school systems to win the UWorld AP Success Grant.

The UWorld AP Success Grant is designed to help schools and districts build equity in their advanced placement programs by providing high-quality teaching and learning tools to support all AP teachers and students.

Student performance in AP courses and on exams are indicators of college readiness, according to the Redefining Ready initiative of AASA, the School Superintendents Association. AP success is within the reach of each and every student when provided the right resources and support. 

UWorld’s Learning Tools for AP Courses make the rigor of AP curriculum understandable for students, manageable for teachers, and provide valuable program insights to administrators.

As a grant recipient, the district will receive access to UWord’s online Learning Tools for AP Courses for all available AP subjects for the 2022-2023 academic year. The Learning Tools include content for students, assignment tools and progress monitoring for teachers, and assessments and reporting at the student, class, campus, and district levels. We will also receive personalized implementation training and ongoing support.
MTPS Support Staff of the Year
Honored by BOE & Administration
The Monmouth County Superintendents’ Support Staff Employee of the Year Ceremony is a recognition program whereby the Middletown Township Board of Education honors the outstanding achievement by District support staff employees. On April 12, the Board of Education and Administrative Team commended the following staff members for their service and dedication to our school community. Watch the full ceremony by following the link in the video window.
  • Jeanine Welch, Bayview - Nurse
  • Leslie DeMedici, Fairview - Paraprofessional
  • Michael Goscinksi, Harmony - Head Custodian
  • Maria Sgaramella, Leonardo - Child Study Team Secretary
  • Deborah O'Keefe, Lincroft - Paraprofessional
  • Vinny Woods, Middletown Village - Head Day Custodian
  • Susan Wilkie, Navesink - Paraprofessional
  • Tammy Winz, New Monmouth - Paraprofessional
  • Dana Brach, Nut Swamp - Paraprofessional
  • Joan Smith, Ocean Avenue - Custodian
  • Isabel Pipercic, River Plaza - Paraprofessional
  • Nicole Norton, Bayshore - Paraprofessional
  • Rick Wyman, Thompson - Head Custodian
  • Jennifer Yaroli, Thorne - Paraprofessional
  • Carol Reuter, High School North - Paraprofessional
  • Michael Ford, High School South - Custodian
  • Paul Florio, Facilities Department - Chief Grounds
  • Kathy Clapp, Central Office - Athletics Department Secretary

Congratulations to all of our recognized staff members and thank you for your outstanding contributions to our school community!
Bayshore Chess Team Earns Trip to the GSE Finals
For the first time this winter, Garden State Esports included chess as a mixed high school and middle school league competition, and a group of our Bayshore Middle School students flourished.

The trio of students, seventh graders Austen McKnight and Joseph Losquadro and sixth grader Michael Hanus, made a run to the inaugural Garden State Esports Chess Finals at Rider University, where the team met West Windsor-Plainsboro High School.

Congratulations to Bayshore chess team on all of your success. We can't wait to see what you accomplish next.
Ukrainian-born Thorne Student Pens Poem: "The Land of Memories"
I’m from the land with many fields,
That stretch out for miles.
I’m from a country that’s known for its beauty,
And not the money.
I’m from that small old house down the long road,
That small old house passed down to me from my ancestors.
The small old house with miles of fields of barley, corn, and wheat.

The fields where I played hide-n-seek all day.
The fields where I would help my grandparents plant.
The fields that bloomed with fresh flowers.
The sunflowers, poppies, daisies, and chamomile colored the fields.
The vibrant colors and the breathtaking scent,
The birds chirping and no one in sight, 
Made me believe I was living a dream.

But now, …… all of it is gone.
These fields of mine,
This home of mine,
All of it is down in flames.
The fields of colors,
Only show red, orange, and yellow,
All the crops burned down to ashes.
The silence is now filled with loud BOOMS!
The long road that now leads to emptiness,
Is shattered; filled with the blood of dying heroes.

I stand in front of this land,
The land where I’m from.
This land I no longer recognize.
And I ask myself,
Will this home of mine 
Still be MY home?

By Christina Borsa
New Monmouth Sends Ukraine aid with Blessing Bag Brigade
Earlier this week, in collaboration with the local non-profit organization Blessing Bag Brigade, students from New Monmouth Elementary School packaged donated items they had collected through a supply drive and prepared the packages for shipping. These blessing bags will be distributed to those in need in Ukraine. Thank you to the New Monmouth community for this philanthropic effort.
HS North Creatives Host Multimedia Art Fusion Show
On Thursday, April 7, multimedia creatives of High School North showcased their work in the Arts Fusion Student Art Show. The event included displays in fine arts, applied arts and design, fashion, graphic design, technical drawing and photography. Congratulation to all of the students who had pieces on display. Keep up the great work!
The Middletown Township Public School District is asking school and community stakeholders to please consider participating in the brief MTPS ESEA/ESSA Stakeholder Needs Assessment Survey.


We appreciate your time and input.
Affordable Internet Options
for Middletown Students
A number of affordable internet access options are currently available to Middletown Township Public School District students from vendors in or located near our community.

Determining your student's eligibility can be achieved by completing a brief application.
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