Students and staff members across the Middletown Township Public School District ushered in the Thanksgiving holiday this week with festive feasts, holiday-inspired music and vocal performances, turkey-themed lessons, and even a traditional balloon parade at New Monmouth Elementary. Check out some of the best photos of the festivities below.

On behalf of the the entire MTPS family, we wish you and yours the happiest of Thanksgiving holidays.

In an effort to provide our Middletown High School North juniors and seniors with opportunities to interact with professionals from local businesses, companies and organizations, the Middletown Township Public School District, in collaboration with the Middletown Community Affairs Council, will be facilitating a “Meet and Greet” at the Middletown Arts Center on Dec. 6 at 6:30 PM.

The intent is for our Middletown Juniors and Seniors to learn about work-based learning opportunities, entry level positions, internships and mentorships within our community. The contacts they make at the “Meet and Greet” could influence their decisions pertaining to possible future careers.

Tables will be set up for each professional who will be available to answer any questions from the interested high school students. As many high school students are contemplating their post-secondary plans and intended majors, this event will help them explore various career pathways and certifications that would be of interest to them.

We already have some prominent local businesses committed to participating, including Voyant, Molly Pitcher and Oyster Point Hotels, the Visiting Nurse Association of NJ, Stillitano Consulting LLC, Red Bank Wealth Management, Automated Building Controls and professionals representing law, real estate and land surveying among many others.

A word of thanks and appreciation to all of the participants who will be volunteering their time in meeting with our students and sharing their experiences in a variety of fields.  

Earlier this week, three Bayshore Middle School band members qualified to participate in the All-Shore Intermediate Band, marking the first time in school history that the Dolphins have had more than two students qualify in the same season! 

The All Shore Band was founded in 1958 with the mission of challenging students by providing a setting for them to play high-caliber music with other student musicians from the Monmouth and Ocean County area. 

Currently, Thompson Middle School’s band director, Kate Raguseo, is the president of the organization.

Congratulations to the following seventh grade students on their recognition:

• James Noll, Tuba
• Ashley Pedersen, Timpani
• Keya Steiner, Clarinet

The season’s culminating performance will take place on Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2023 at the Michael T. Lake Performing Arts Center in Neptune, New Jersey. The show will begin at 7:30 p.m.

Congratulations to James, Ashley and Keya, and thank you to the students and their families for supporting music in our schools!

Lincroft Elementary School has elected its first student council. This team of students will work to address school improvement initiatives in addition to cultivating community partners to facilitate philanthropic efforts. The council's first meeting is scheduled for Nov. 29 where our council members will work with staff and administration to develop goals to enhance Lincroft's educational environment, as well brainstorm potential community outreach ventures. The student council will also participate in PTA meetings.

"We are so excited to announce the election of our first student council, and to begin working with this incredible group. We thank (Assistant Superintendent) Mr. Matthew Kirkpatrick and (Board of Education President) Mr. Frank Capone for graciously joining us and saying a few words of congratulations to our new council members. I must also extend my sincere thanks to our fifth grade teacher Mrs. Joanne DeWolfe for her tireless work to help get this school initiative off the ground," said Lincroft Elementary School Principal Daniel Imbimbo.

Congratulations to the inaugural Lincroft Elementary School Student Council!

The New Jersey Devils welcomed Nut Swamp Elementary School student Richard “RJ” Fergusons to the Prudential Center on Monday for its annual Hockey Fights Cancer Night, an event that unites fans of the game in support of cancer patients and their families.

RJ is a cancer patient and a lifelong Devils fan who was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in May 2022, and continues his treatment at Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey.

The Devils provided RJ an incredible game day experience, as the Nut Swamp Tiger joined New Jersey coach Lindy Ruff in the locker room prior to puck drop to read out the team’s starting lineup. RJ was then invited on the ice to drop the ceremonial first puck. Following the Devils 5-2 victory over the Edmonton Oilers, RJ even had an opportunity to meet his favorite player Jesper Bratt.

The MTPS community extends its most sincere gratitude to the Devils organization for offering RJ such a memorable experience.

On Wednesday, Nov. 23, students and staff at Ocean Avenue Elementary School provided a warm welcome to Timothy Rohrer, a young adult with autism who has become a leading educator of disability inclusion in the educational environment.

Rohrer spoke to the school community about what inclusive classroom environments could look like, and shared tips about how to connect and collaborate with peers with disabilities.

Rohrer is not only an educator, but a public speaker, self-advocate for inclusivity in education, and an author who has published the teaching guide How to be a Good Influence to People with Disabilities, as well as the children's book Timmy's Story: A Story About Autism and Friendship.

To learn more about Rohrer, his work and his presentation, you may visit his website Tips4Inclusion.

On Monday, Nov 21. Middletown Township Public Schools' new educators gathered at the Central Administration Office for their second mentor/mentee meeting of the school year. 

Director of Social Studies and Technology, Mr. James Ramussen, and High School North Assistant Principal, Mr. Nick Trezza, provided presentations on diffusing difficult classroom situations, and led a discussion about educational philosophy.

Our new educators learned more about the "Crisis Development Model," strategies for handling day-to-day classroom operations. All sessions were well-attended and received positive feedback.

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

The holidays can be an exciting time for everyone?  However, we also know they can be stressful. There are ways adults can help children and teens navigate the holidays to be a less stressful time.  The following article explains pointers for families:  How to Support Your Child’s Mental Health During the Holidays.

In the week leading up to Veterans Day, students and staff across the Middletown Township Public School District engaged in lesson plans, special projects and building-wide programs that honored our community’s military veterans.

Family members and friends who have served in one of our nation’s six military branches were invited to campuses for recognition ceremonies, while those veterans who have passed were often the focus of assignments that helped students develop deeper connections to curricular Veterans Day materials.

The first celebration using the term “Veterans Day” occurred in Birmingham, Alabama in 1947 on Nov. 11, which was then recognized as Armistice Day. The event was organized by World War II Veteran Raymond Weeks, and included a parade and other festive activities that honored the sacrifices of all United States military veterans. Legislation to recognize Veterans Day as a federal holiday, and honor American veterans of all wars, was adopted on June 1, 1954.

We are proud to continue the tradition today in Middletown. Thank you to all of our veterans for the tremendous sacrifices you have made in an effort to maintain our freedoms and way of life.