Earlier this week, the Middletown Township Public Schools Arts Academy invited the community to attend its annual showcase at High School North. The multimedia showcase included a gallery walk featuring installations by students practicing in digital media, fine arts and applied arts disciplines, followed by a series of dramatic, musical and dance performances.

The annual Arts Academy Showcase is the culminating event to celebrate the growth and development of our students' skills, talents and passions that span the artistic spectrum and the academy's six available tracks of study:

One of the purposes of the MTPS Arts Academy is to help prepare students for continued learning at the college level and to obtain careers related to the arts. To learn more about the academy, or to apply, please visit the MTPS Course Offerings website.

Earlier this month, the High School North boys track and field program captured the Central Jersey Group III Sectional Championship with a total team score of 128 points to Matawan's second place total of 89.

The Lions placed in 15 of 18 events, including an impressive performance by senior distance standout Connor Kinch who registered a first place finish in the 3200 (9:35.46) and led the 4x800 relay team to a gold medal with the group's fast lap of 1:59. Kinch also placed second in the 800 with a time of 1:58.81, just off the pace of teammate Aaron Guensch, who ran a winning time of 1:58.64. Kinch added a fifth place time of 4:31.10 in the 1600.

Jack Chenoweth earned a 400 hurdles gold medal with a time of 57.50, while Levi Wilson won the long jump event at a distance of 22-03, and Matthew Sheehan threw a 153-00 to capture the javelin crown.

In the girls competition, Hailey Guerrieri won the 100 hurdles event with a time of 15.86.

Congratulations to all of our competitors on their fantastic performances.

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

In the finals, Bayshore took on the Burnett Barbarians of Union City. Burnett won the first round, putting the Dolphins behind for the first time all season. The Dolphins, led by Leak, played a spectacular round two. Anichino started round three, the last round of the match. After delivering some damage to the opposing character, Borbely entered the round and tied the match. Finally, Leak closed out the round and helped deliver the state championship title to Bayshore.

Earlier this week, Thorne Middle School students in Mrs. Corace's class were visited by Red Bank Police Department K-9 Unit members officer Stan Balmer and K-9 officer Hunter. Students learned about the added benefits a K-9 unit offers to a police force, as well as an overview of the training these K-9 unit partners endure to become and maintain their field certification. Finally, students were able to witness Hunter's abilities with a target area search demonstration.

Thank you Officers Balmer and Hunter for visiting with our students and helping to maintain a great level of safety in our greater community.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Congratulations to Roxy and Ace, who earlier this week passed their final therapy test to become officially licensed AIR Dogs.

Please visit the Attitudes in Reverse website for additional information about AIR and the organization’s School Therapy Dog Program.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

Learn more by visiting MTPS Technology Department webpage.