MTPS Board of Education Adopts School Safety Measures
At the May 31 Workshop/Voting Meeting the Board of Education ratified an agreement with the Township of Middletown to assign officers to each district school for the remainder of the current academic year.

The agreement also includes a statement of intent to finalize the terms of an arrangement for the 2022-23 academic year that would result in the assignment of a Class III special law enforcement officer to each district school.
For more information, please review the May 31 letter of intent, and hear comments from Board of Education President Frank Capone, Superintendent of Schools Mary Ellen Walker, and Middletown Township Mayor Tony Perry in the video.
BOE and Administration
Honor 53 MTPS Retirees
On May 31, prior to the Board of Education Workshop/Voting Meeting, the Board of Education and Administration honored 53 retiring MTPS staff members for their many years of service to our school community.

"You have positively impacted the lives of countless students, as well as your colleagues and our entire school community," said Superintendent of Schools Mary Ellen Walker. "Although you have all played different roles, you were each essential members of our school community. We wish you much happiness and health in your retirement."

Congratulations to all of our retiring staff members. Thank you for all that you have done for our community.
HS North & South Earn Multiple Count Basie Awards
Middletown Township Public School students and staff shined during the May 25 Count Basie Awards, securing seven victories for both ensemble and individual efforts. Congratulations to the following winners on their wonderful work.

  • Outstanding Choreography: HS North - A Chorus Line - Tara Mahoney
  • Outstanding Musical Direction: HS North - A Chorus Line - Peter Isherwood
  • Outstanding Small Music Ensemble: HS South - Grease - Mike Raguseo
  • Outstanding Chorus: HS South - Grease
  • Outstanding Supporting Cast in a Musical: HS North - A Chorus Line
  • Outstanding Lead Actor in a Musical: HS North - Samuel Cusson - A Chorus Line
  • Outstanding Direction in a Musical: HS North - Amanda Faria - A Chorus Line
No Limits Cafe Introduces Smash Burger at HS North
Earlier this week members of the No Limits Cafe visited High School North for a guest chef event to treat students and staff to the eatery's signature "smash burger." Cafe Chef Kali Garita, owner Mark Cartier and five No Limits Cafe staff members prepared ingredients for their 100% ground beef burgers and fired up the grill. The No Limits Cafe team dished out more than 275 servings topped with lettuce, tomato and their secret sauce, all arranged on fresh brioche buns.

The No Limits Cafe is a 501(c)(3) organization that works to empower adults with intellectual disabilities by providing employment and professional training to help them lead fulfilling lives within their community. Visit the No Limits Cafe for additional information.
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
Resilience is a skill that can be cultivated and practiced. Developing resilience in children and adolescents is important because it gives them the ability to navigate difficult times and adversity in their lives. The National Association of School Psychologists offers practical tips for how parents and caregivers can foster resiliency in their children, such as developing health habits and teaching problem-solving skills. 
MTPS Therapy Dogs Earn Their Wings
Congratulations to Roxy and Ace, who earlier this week passed their final therapy test to become officially licensed AIR Dogs.

Earlier this year, the Middletown Township Public School District began deploying therapy dogs across the district to assist students and staff members cope with strong emotions experienced inside and outside of the classroom.

This particular group of canines account for three of eight dogs in the district currently enrolled in the AIR School Therapy Dog Program, a 38-week training course offered by the Princeton, NJ based nonprofit organization Attitudes in Reverse (AIR). The program prepares these pups to be interventionists during significant situations.

Please visit the Attitudes in Reverse website for additional information about AIR and the organization’s School Therapy Dog Program.
Bayshore Hosts 8th Annual Poetry Slam
On May 26, Bayshore Middle School hosted its 8th annual Poetry Slam, at which more than 60 students performed original poetry for the peers, parents, guardians and staff members.

It was a day filled with passionate and inspirational poems that truly showcased the talent and imagination of the students. The performers were scored by a group of judges who evaluated them in the areas of voice and articulation, physical presence, dramatic effect and their use of poetic devices.

Jeff Jiju was the event's Grand Prize winner, while Juliana Harary took second place, and Belle Sodon captured third place.

Thank you to all of the performers, staff members and especially Mrs. Berg for their efforts in making the event possible. 

Congratulations to all of the finalists:

  • Jeff Jiju - "Separation"
  • Juliana Harary - "Smiling"
  • Belle Sodon - "Fear"
  • Malin Carvalho - "Electricity"
  • Everly Coleman - "Mirror"
  • Logan Gumbaz - "One Bottle"
  • Liam O'Reilly - "War Never Changes"
  • Peter Sucato - "Time"
New Monmouth Walk-a-thon Raises Funds for St. Jude's Children's Hospital
The New Monmouth Elementary School community came together over Memorial Day Weekend for its annual walk-a-thon. The fundraising event helps support St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and the organization's ongoing efforts to treat and defeat childhood cancer. Thank you to all community members who supported this incredible cause.
WATCH: Thorne Memorial Day Ceremony
MTPS Students Earn Associate Degrees from Brookdale Community College
Earlier this month, seven Middletown Township Public School students participated in a graduation ceremony at Brookdale Community College where they received their Associate degree weeks before they will walk at their high school graduation.

High School North students Layla Burke, Lauren Stone and Meya Yesalonis, and High School South students Colin Mullee, Samantha Gambale, Naomi Corboy and Emma Danza were enrolled in the MTPS Early College Academy, an opportunity for high school students to concurrently earn an Associate of the Arts, Social Science or Science degree from Brookdale Community College, while also meeting the requirements to obtain a New Jersey high school diploma.

“They’re a model of what can be done during your time in high school. It’s almost unbelievable that they’ve accomplished all that they have over the past four years, and obtaining their associates degree is a credit to their drive and determination,” said High School North Principal Dr. Patricia Cartier.

The MTPS Early College Academy was designed to provide students with access to higher education experiences throughout their high school careers. Though Brookdale has since phased out the Early College Academy program, there are still a number of available options for MTPS students to enjoy a rigorous educational experience while earning college credits, including:



  • Seniors on track to graduate in both coursework and standardized test requirements may also register for the Student Flex Program, which allows for part-time high school status and the opportunity to pursue internships, workplace experiences or to concentrate on collegiate-level courses.

For more information on these options, please contact your guidance counselor.

Congratulations to Layla, Lauren, Meya, Colin, Samantha, Naomi and Emma on their incredible accomplishment. We look forward to seeing all they will achieve in the future.
Wild Side Zoo Visits Ocean Avenue
The Wild Side Zoo came to Ocean Avenue Elementary School earlier this week where students were introduced to a multitude of reptilian creatures.

A live, interactive animal experience traveling to campuses, libraries and community centers across New York and New Jersey, the Wild Side Zoo offered Ocean Avenue students the opportunity to snuggle with a snake, pet a lizard and crawl around the All Purpose Room like a turtle, among other wildlife-related activities.

We would like to extend our thanks to Brian and the Wild Side Zoo of professionals for having so much fun with our students.
Thompson Students Inspire at Art Show
Earlier this week Thompson Middle School hosted its annual art show, filling the halls and campus classrooms with eye-catching and inspiring works. Check out the evening in photos below.
Harmony, Nut Swamp & Thorne
Students Send Care Packages to Troops
For the fourth year, students from the neighboring campuses at Harmony Elementary and Thorne Middle Schools collaborated with peers at Nut Swamp Elementary to create and ship care packages to United States servicemen and women stationed overseas.

In partnership with the Lt. Dennis W. Zillinski, II Memorial Fund, the elementary school participants wrote heartfelt notes and created thank you cards that were accompanied by care packages of snacks and toiletries gathered by Thorne students. Zillinski was an alum of Middletown Village Elementary and Thorne who graduated from West Point before serving and dying in Iraq in 2005.
"I wanted to take a second to thank you for your thoughtful package and kind notes! It warms my hear to know that schools around the U.S. remember our fallen heroes, and take the time to care for the ones serving today," wrote Lt. Nathaniel Mason in a thank you note to our students. Mason indicated that his unit is currently deployed in Europe in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

"Our company would like to thank you all for your generosity for organizing the large shipment we received here in Germany," read another thank you note from Sgt. Mauricio Madrid. "Every package we received had important and vital necessities that some of us wrestle for."

Thank you to our students and to the Lt. Dennis W. Zillinski, II Memorial Fund for working to support our troops.
Thorne Student Earns Gold
at Special Olympic Games
Ahead of the June 10-12 Summer Games on the campus of The College of New Jersey, local athletes participated in a Special Olympics New Jersey track and field competition earlier this month at Long Branch High School.

During the event, Thorne Middle School eighth grade student Rochelle Donaldson earned one gold medal and a pair of silver medals.

Congratulations to Rochelle on her wonderful performance! Keep up the great work!
Leonardo Students Build Bird
Feeders from Recycled Materials
Leonardo Elementary School students in Mr. Gress' first grade class participated in a project to beautify their environment by constructing personalized bird feeders of various shapes, sizes and styles out of recylced materials found in their homes and classroom. The students developed sports themed feeders, as well as Harry Potter, Pokemon and a multitude of other motifs. Keep up the wonderful work!
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
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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