Transforming the annual junior varsity ice hockey game between High School North and South into a fundraiser to fight pediatric cancer has evolved into a community-wide movement that has raised upward of $20,000.

On Jan. 5 the two junior varsity programs came together in the name of Luca Iacono, an alumnus of Harmony Elementary School who passed away in 2019 from rhabdomyosarcoma. The goal was to raise $5,000 for the Middletown-based non-profit organization Infinite Love for Kids Fighting Cancer.

The event inspired High School North's varsity program to conduct a similar fundraising event during their Jan. 12 meeting with fellow state power Chatham. The fundraising effort will conclude with a Jan. 31 meeting between High School South and Rumson-Fair Haven at the Middletown Sports Complex on Harmony Road. The puck will drop at 4:45 p.m. and donations will be accepted throughout the game.

Funds are also being collected online via Hockey In Middletown's Flipcause Page, where you can find more information about this incredible effort.

Before the Jan. 24 Workshop/Voting Meeting, the Middletown Township Public Schools Board of Education and Administration commended a number of student-athletes for achieving All-Shore Conference honors and team success during the fall season. The following athletes and coaches were honored:

• CJ Crolius, High School North Soccer, 1st Team All-Shore
• Jake Czwakiel, High School South Football, 1st Team All-Shore
• Peter Demsey, High School North Football, 1st Team All-Shore
• Colin Gallagher, High School South Football, 1st Team All-Shore
• Jack Lopez, High School North Football, 1st Team All-Shore
• Tommy Whyte, High School South Football, 1st Team All-Shore

• Tyler Addonisio, High School South Football, 2nd Team All-Shore
• Makenna Blozen, High School South Field Hockey, 2nd Team All-Shore
• Abby Doherty, High School South Soccer, 2nd Team All-Shore
• Emma Gentile, High School South Gymnastics, 2nd Team All-Shore
• Erin Prince, High School South Soccer, 2nd Team All-Shore
• Owen Richter, High School South Football, 2nd Team All-Shore
• Donovan Sumney, High School South Football, 2nd Team All-Shore
• Bea Tinoco, High School South Soccer, 2nd Team All-Shore

• Luke Ainbinder, High School North Football, 3rd Team All-Shore
• Luke Wafle, High School South Football, 3rd Team All-Shore

The following individuals and teams were recognized for their championship victories:

• Chris Shay, High School South Cross Country - Central Jersey Group III
• High School South Girls Soccer - Central Jersey Group III

High School South Girls Soccer Team Members include: Riley Benbrook, Riley Bent, Giavanna Botti, Deavan Cannon, Lauren Ceurvels, Maria DeGregorio, Abby Doherty, Izzy Dyas, Lola Franco, Abby Gallagher, Ana Generelli, Grace Gironda, Allie Greco, Lillian Hardwick, Marley Hardwick, Makayla Jaffe, Kaleigh Kapler, Amanda MacGregor, Kate Malvica, Skylar Miller, Natalie Percello, Leah Petzold, Erin Prince, Nikki Prince, Jen Schuster, Maria Seckular, Camryn Szotak, Bea Tinoco, Grace Wilson, Coach Megan Barry.

This week, Bayshore Middle School participated in the Great Kindness Challenge, an annual global campaign that promotes kindness and community development for students in Kindergarten through Grade 12. This positive, action-based endeavor is a bullying-prevention initiative that helps fortify our school community's culture of inclusivity, kindness, compassion, unity and respect.

Throughout the week, Bayshore students and staff participated in themed spirit days, each of which highlighted a specific act of kindness.

This annual, week-long event is developed and overseen by Bayshore’s Peer Leaders and Diversity Clubs and their club advisors, Mrs. Chrissy Black and Mrs. Heather Frederick.

“Our students spend weeks meeting and brainstorming ideas to involve our whole student body,” said Mrs. Frederick. “They work together to spread kindness and support one another and their classmates,” said Mrs. Black.

In recognition of Bayshore's participation in the Great Kindness Challenge, students were visited by Middletown Township Mayor Tony Perry, who explained exactly what this effort can mean to those in need.

"The world can use some kindness right now; the world can use a group of people to lead; who, when they see a community member in a tough spot, are motivated to reach out with a kind word and a helping hand," Mayor Perry said in an address to the Bayshore students. "You may not realize it now, but the impact you can have on someone who is in need of something as simple as a kind word, you can change their life for the better. That comment; that act of kindness; it can mean the world to someone. It can cut through the darkness, the anger, the negativity they may be feeling, and and lift them up. Thank you for making kindness front and center in our community."

Thank you to Mayor Perry for visiting with our students, and thank you to Bayshore community for their exemplary effort.

On Wednesday, Jan. 25, members of the MTPS Administration and leaders of our kindergarten program hosted a virtual information session for parents and guardians. The session welcomed more than 260 attendees, who participated in a live question and answer forum following a slide deck presentation.

For those who were unable to join us, video of the presentation, and the informational slide deck are available now for your review.

• MTPS Kindergarten Slide Deck Presentation (1.25.23)



Earlier this week, Bayview Elementary School fourth grade students in Mrs. Felicia Merklinger's class delivered breaking news to their peers.

As part of a natural sciences lesson about the overwhelming power of nature and the destruction it can cause, students were asked to conduct research on volcanoes, earthquakes, tornadoes, tsunamis and hurricanes, and present their findings to peers in the form of a breaking news report.

Together, the students of the BV7 News Team investigated the naturally occurring forces behind our weather patterns, tidal movements, and tectonic activities to develop a deeper connection with, and greater respect for, our natural world.

This activity exemplifies the authentic learning opportunities MTPS educators are committed to providing our students. Rather than tasking students to deliver individual oral or written reports on their subjects, this lesson promoted peer collaboration and the practical application of research and discovery in a professional scenario.

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 key skill for optimal development. Although parents and caregivers cannot avoid adversity in the lives of their children, there are ways they can help them develop the resilience they will need to endure difficult times. The National Association of School Psychologists shares some information and guidance below.