On March 28, the Middletown Township Public School Community gathered at High School North to honor our 2022-2023 educators of the year. Teachers and Educational Support Professionals were recognized after being nominated by colleagues and community members, and selected by a committee of building administrators and peers.

"This is an evening we look forward to each school year. It's one of the most important events we host, and something our entire community supports," said Superintendent of Schools, Mary Ellen Walker. "These educators deserve all of the recognition and accolades they receive for the support and inspiration they provide to our students. Thank you to our teachers of the year, and all of our educators across the district, for their commitment to our school community."

In addition to an award and a certificate presented by the Board of Education and Administration, each of our educators received a commemorative video, which can be viewed below by following the respective links.

Congratulations to our teachers of the year, and thank you again to all of our MTPS educational staff.

• Megan Berbrick, Bayview
• Danielle LaRose, Fairview
• Daniela Marich, Harmony
• Heather Marrero, Leonardo
• Kristina Crossan, Lincroft
• Maria Woods, Middletown Village
• Stacey Maguire, Navesink
• Christine Mema, New Monmouth
• Dominique Perrone, Nut Swamp
• Gabrielle Hock, Ocean Avenue

• Christine Wessels, River Plaza
• Jeremy Balina, Bayshore
• Jay Davis, Thompson
• Nina Hallard, Thorne
• Timothy Heaney, High School North
• Christen Tummillo, High School South
• Leah Schweitzer, Ocean Avenue
• Kristin Wessels, Thorne
• Mary Ellen Laughlin, High School South

Middletown Township Public Schools (MTPS) is conducting a stakeholder survey to provide input for its FY24 ESEA programming and budgetary planning (July 1, 2023 - June 30, 2024).

Your feedback as a district and/or community stakeholder is highly valued in assisting the district to identify priority areas of need. The district considers the survey findings along with various data points of student achievement and staff professional programming to develop an effective overall plan for the federal funding entitlement allocation.

Las Escuelas Públicas del Municipio de Middletown (MTPS, por sus siglas en inglés) están realizando una encuesta a las partes interesadas para proporcionar información para su planificación presupuestaria y de programación ESEA para el año fiscal 24 (1 de julio de 2023 - 30 de junio de 2024). Sus comentarios como parte interesada del distrito y/o de la comunidad son muy valiosos para ayudar al distrito a identificar las áreas prioritarias de necesidad. El distrito considera los resultados de la encuesta junto con varios puntos de datos de rendimiento estudiantil y programación profesional del personal para desarrollar un plan general efectivo para la asignación de derechos de financiación federal.

On March 26, more than 30 MTPS students from Thorne Middle School, Thompson Middle School and High School North collaborated with district faculty members and a number of area youth groups to participate in Rise Against Hunger. This community meal-packaging initiative empowers people in the community and abroad who are experiencing food insecurity by offering them resources, supports and nourishment. Together the group packaged 14,900 meals, which will be distributed to schools, hospitals, orphanages and natural disaster sites across the country and around the globe. Thank you to all of our students and staff members who participated in this fantastic effort.

On March 25, members of the High School North and South Flag Football programs traveled to Manasquan for a special pre-season training session with fellow competitors from across the Shore Conference. The training camp was led by former New York Giants quarterback and two-time Super Bowl winner Eli Manning, as well as current Giants quarterback Daniel Jones, who led his team to the playoffs in 2022 for the first time since 2016. Manning and Jones guided the student-athletes through a variety of drills that will help them excel this year.

This will be the third year of Shore Conference Flag Football, and features and expanded field of teams since High School North and South began to compete. The Lions and Eagles will be joined by the following programs in league competition this spring

• Central Regional
• Henry Hudson
• Holmdel
• Keansburg
• Long Branch
• Matawan
• Pinelands

• Raritan
• Red Bank Catholic
• Rumson-Fair Haven
• Shore Regional
• St. Rose
• Trinity Hall

On March 25, Thorne Middle School's Show Choir, The B Naturals, traveled to New York City, where the group performed at the Heart of America regional competition. Following their performance The B Naturals were awarded "Best Vocal Performance" and "Best Visual Performance" on the way to being named the Heart of America Grand Champion in the Jr. High Middle School Show Choir division. Congratulations to The B Naturals on this incredible honor.

The B Naturals are: Mia Acera, Emily Armitage, Sophia Berridge, Grace Best, Amelia Beys, Caroline Brogan, Myah Coxson, Giada Demaio, Addison Donhert, Evangeline Eclarinal, Nora Elbanna, Gabriella Faria, Julianna Flocco, Hailey Heckel, Emily Helwig, Olivia Hertzog, Rylee Higgins, Charlotte Hills, Alana Hyer, Leah Johnson, Grace Lober, Emma Lorelli, Liliana Marino, Joseph Martinez, Hailey McGinnis, Emilia McKenna, Sarah McKenzie, Marcella Mendoza, Gianna Mott, Juliet Mullan, Ryan Murphy, Camila Otarola, Jennalynn Parrella, Chelsea Pedersen, Natalie Plath, Izabella Rivera, Ruby Sabini, Brooklyn Tappan, Cara Walker, Lindsey Winters.

On March 25, MTPS musicians from Bayshore, Thompson and Thorne Middle School were selected to appear in the Central Jersey Music Educators Association (CJMEA) Honors Band. This wonderful opportunity will allow our young musicians to participate in a full-instrumentation band with talented peers from across the Central Jersey region who share a similar passion for live music performance. Congratulations to the following musicians on their incredible achievements:

• Daniel Alexandre, Bayshore
• Katherine Burns, Thompson
• Angelina Cassata, Thorne
• Noah Chang, Bayshore
• Lillian Farney, Thorne
• Isabella Giovinazzo, Thompson
• Thomas Hines, Thompson

• Shaurya Joshi, Bayshore
• James Noll, Bayshore
• Ashley Pedersen, Bayshore
• Alyssa Semer, Thompson
• Aaron Smith, Thorne
• Emma Tujague, Thorne
• Amanda Zheng, Thorne

Thompson Middle School students in Ms. Courtney Kling's science class recently closed a unit on the effects of severe weather events with a fun and engaging activity that brought their lessons to life. Students were asked to work collaboratively with their peers to develop structures out of found materials that could withstand strong tornadic or hurricane-force winds. Rather than chasing storms across the country, Ms. Kling simulated severe weather with an electric leaf blower, allowing students to run tests on their structures to see which development styles were most successful. This type of activity is an example of how MTPS students are developing knowledge and applying their new skills in an authentic manner to create a deeper understanding of curricular content. Keep up the wonderful work!

On March 23, Ocean Avenue Elementary School hosted a Math Family Fun Night, in which more than 75 families of K-5 students enjoyed engaging activities in a fun and family-oriented learning environment. The event was coordinated by Ocean Avenue Mathematics Specialist Rose Scullion, Grade 5 Mathematics educator Michelle Czlapinski, and Principal Cynthia Wilson. Students and families rotated through 18 different activity centers that were displayed throughout the all purpose room, art room, and hallways. Activities included math card games, geometric and number puzzles, and interactive activities like glow stick geometry. Many Ocean Avenue teachers were also on hand to take part in the fun. The night ended with a gift raffle that sent many students home with fun prizes. However, all students concluded the evening with a number of fun math games and strategies that they can use at home.

On March 24, the Lincroft Elementary School Student Council distributed a variety of equipment to its peers just in time for spring recess activities. The equipment distribution was the result of a fundraiser that was coordinated by the Student Council. The proceeds were then used to purchase a multitude of different balls, jump ropes, hula hoops, and other equipment for outdoor, warm-weather games.

In November, Lincroft elected its first Student Council in school history. The team of students was organized to address school improvement and to cultivate community partnerships that would support philanthropic efforts such as this fundraiser and equipment distribution. Congratulations to the Student Council on a this successful endeavor.

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

Happy Spring Break! Time away from the demands of school can be a time to cultivate relaxation practices. Learning Success shares these techniques to practice with children.