Educators Launch Inaugural MTPS EdCamp
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On Monday, Nov. 11, educators and administrators gathered at High School South for the District’s inaugural MTPS EdCamp, a professional learning model that promotes academic choice and voice in what training sessions our staff members choose to attend.
The EdCamp model is based upon ad hoc community participation, in which attendees choose topics they would like to discuss and lead others in the conversation, prompting contributions and anecdotes from attendees.
Hundreds of subjects were broached on Monday, ranging from the District’s ongoing Strategic Planning process, to the use of technology in the classroom, as well as strides being made in social-emotional learning for students, and progressive educational initiatives like Responsive Classroom activities and methods to intertwine Global Citizenship Education into lesson plans. Fore more on the event please visit the
District website
.
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High School North Student Government Announces Salute to Service Veterans Project
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The High School North Student Government Association has launched its Salute to Service Veterans Project, an effort to honor all community members that have served our county in all any of the five military branches.
After the information gathering process is completed, the next stage of the project is to create a display honoring our soldiers that have been killed in action. The goal is to develop a design that can be replicated and showcased in each of our 17 District schools.
The group is seeking help to compile names and information about our active service members and veterans. Those wishing to share information can email Mr. Jonathan Scala at
scalaj@middletownk12.org
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Eagles Girls Complete Championship Fall Seasons
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It was a fall season to remember for High School South’s girls soccer, field hockey and cross country programs. All three captured NJSIAA Sectional Championships and Class A North Division titles. The cross country team also collected Monmouth County and Shore Conference crowns.
The Eagles soccer team outscored opponents 19-1 on its way to 1-0 shutout of Cranford in the North 2, Group III sectional finals, a victory secured by Katie Coyle goal and eight saves by Emma Bennett. The soccer program finished the year with a record of 22-2.
The top-seeded field hockey team earned a 1-0 win over Chatham in the North 2, Group III sectional finals on a goal by Kayla Freibott. The championship effort capped an 18-4-1 season for the Eagles.
The girls cross country program raced to a North 2, Group III championship thanks to top 10 finishes by Reese Fahys (first - 18:31.30), Lucy Afanasewicz (third – 19:01.50), Michelle Coyoti (fifth – 19:18.20), Lauren Hutson (sixth – 19:18.40), and Gwen Afanasewicz (eighth – 19:27.10).
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New Survey Data Presented at Strategic Planning Forum #2
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During the District's Nov. 13th Strategic Planning Forum #2 at High School South, Schoolhouse Strategies presented new data trends from the approximately 2,700 stakeholder surveys submitted before the Oct. 30th deadline.
The final Strategic Planning Public Forum will be held Wednesday, Dec. 11 at High School North from 7-9 p.m.
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On Wednesday, Dec. 4th the District will host an information session about the multitude of High School Pathways, Academies, and Academic Opportunities. Both students and parents are encouraged to attend the 6:30 p.m. event at High School North.
Important Dates
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To view a full list of your school's events please visit the calendar on your school's website.
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Leonardo Announces Bedtime Mystery Readers Series
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Every Monday around 7:30pm, students and families from across the District can log on to the
Leonardo Elementary School website
to discover a new mystery reader that will read a bedtime story.
The bedtime story will remain available for the entire week until a new mystery reader and story is revealed!
Leonardo Principal Peter Smith kicked off the series and his reading of "The Thank You Book" is still available on
the school's website
. Be sure to tune in for the next story time.
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Math Educators to Present at National Conference in April
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Middletown math educators Dr. John Kerrigan and Dr. Kara Teehan will co-present at a national math conference in Chicago this coming April.
Their presentation will focus on the design and implementation of active learning classrooms in District middle and high schools.
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Kerrigan, the District Director of K-12 Mathematics, and Teehan, a mathematics educator at High School North, are passionate about progressive learning environments, as well as the promotion of access and equity for K-12 students in those settings.
In addition to their District positions, Kerrigan is a professor at Rutgers University in both the math and education departments, while Teehan is a professor at Monmouth University and Stockton University.
At the spring conference they will discuss instructional techniques and strategies for active learning that engage students in algebra, calculus, precalculus, and college mathematics. This is the second year in a row that Kerrigan and Teehan were accepted to present at this prestigious national conference for the National Council for Teachers of Mathematics.
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Hidden History of Monmouth County Event On Monday
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The Middletown Township Historical Society (MTHS) will present local author and historian Muriel Smith on Monday, Nov. 18th at the All Saints Church at 55 New Monmouth Rd. to discuss her new book "The Hidden History of Monmouth County."
This free event begins at 7 p.m. and will include a special presentation by the All Saints National Landmark Trust.
For more information about MTHS, including other upcoming educational events, please visit the
organization's website
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Stocker Honored for $1 Million Safe Routes to School Grant
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On Oct. 29, River Plaza Elementary School PTA leader Marguerite Stocker was honored at the annual EZride Recognition Luncheon for efforts that helped secure a $1 million New Jersey Safe Routes to School grant. The funding will be used to make improvements along Hubbard Avenue, a main walking and biking route for students and families that attend the primary school.
Stocker was accompanied at the luncheon by Superintendent of Schools William O. George III, Ed. D., Middletown Township Business Administrator Anthony Mercantante, Assemblywoman Serena DiMaso, Middletown Township Mayor Tony Perry and River Plaza Elementary School Principal David Whitman, all of whom contributed to this collaborative initiative. Continue reading about the grant on the
District website
.
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High School Student Volunteers Needed
Thompson Middle School PFA's annual Granny's Attic Craft Show is seeking high school student volunteers.
All proceeds from the event are donated to Thompson Middle School to be used for grants for teachers to purchase supplemental supplies, to fund educational speakers and presentations, to contribute to after school clubs, and much more.
This is a great way to give back to the student community and earn service hours. For more information, and to register as a volunteer, please visit the
volunteer portal
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Dr. George Meets Students to Learn from Experts
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In October, Superintendent of Schools, William O. George, III, Ed. D., hosted round table forums with students from High School North and South. The ideas presented ranged from curriculum and policy changes to school culture and facility upgrades.
Notes from the forums were taken and the ideas will be discussed further at future meetings of faculty and administrative team members.
For more see the video to the left.
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Blessing Bag Brigade
to Host Thanksgiving Dinner
Blessing Bag Brigade, a Middletown-based non-profit organization dedicated to showing compassion and humanitarianism toward the homeless, will host its second annual Community Thanksgiving Dinner on Wednesday, Nov. 29th at the Robert D. Wilson Memorial Community Center in Atlantic Highlands.
The dinner begins at 5 p.m. and cooked food donations can be delivered from 3 to 4 p.m.
For volunteer opportunities or to donate food please contact Kevin Garrison at 347-938-0054, or email BlessingBagBrigadeN@gmail.com.
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Fairview Aids Lunch Break
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Since launching its community garden, Fairview Elementary School has donated 33 pounds of produce to Lunch Break, a non-profit organization in Red Bank that provides food, clothing, life skills training and fellowship to those in need throughout Monmouth County. For more information about Lunch Break, or to donate or volunteer, visit
www.LunchBreak.org
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District Food Provider, Whitsons Culinary Group, is Hiring Service Workers...
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Nut Swamp Elementary Launches New Plastic Bag
Recycling Program
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In partnership with decking manufacturer, Trex, Nut Swamp Elementary School has launched a new plastic bag recycling program.
A collection bin has been placed inside the primary school where residents can drop off the following:
Plastic shopping bags, bread loaf bags, plastic water bottle case wrapping, dry cleaning bags, plastic newspaper bags, produce bags and much more.
With the launch, Nut Swamp is now part of a global initiative in which Trex collects these plastic materials and reuses them in their decking materials. For more information please
visit
www.Trex.com/recycling-programs
.
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NOVEMBER LUNCH MENUES:
The District has published the monthly food menus for November on our website. Please view them on the
Food Services page
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GIFTED AND TALENTED:
The District has started mailing information about the Gifted and Talented Program. For more information about mailing dates and program start dates please visit the
District website
.
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Harmony Elementary Stands Up To Cancer At Luca Strong Day
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Harmony Elementary School students and staff rallied for Luca Iacono on Oct. 25, 2019 at the third annual Luca Strong Day, an event in which students are invited to wear pink and blue clothing in support their fifth grade classmate and friend who continues to battle against cancer.
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In 2006, Kristen Gillette lost her daughter Kortney to a brain tumor. In the ensuing months, Gillette was moved to found the
Kortney Rose Foundation
, a non-profit organization dedicated to raising funds for pediatric cancer research. To date the group has raised more than $2.3 million, a total that includes fundraising contributions from Middletown Township Public Schools.
District students helped the foundation raise $10,312 last year, and Gillette hopes that total can be surpassed with this year’s “Kortney’s Cash for the Cure” event.
Fundraising materials for the month-long effort arrived in our schools Oct. 15. The deadline to donate is Nov. 15. For more information about “Kortney’s Cash for the Cure” please reach out to the front office of your home school. To learn more about the Kortney Rose Foundation, or to donate, please visit the
organization website
.
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District Honored at 2019 NJSBA Workshop
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Educators across the District are engaging students in personalized learning opportunities that build the skills necessary to one day flourish during college studies, a trade school education or in a rapidly evolving global work environment.
The District was recognized for this forward-thinking approach on Sept. 16th during a ceremony at the 2019 New Jersey School Boards Association Workshop in Atlantic City. Read more
at the District website.
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Thorne Middle School
Accepts Rachel's Challenge
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On Tuesday, Oct. 15 Thorne Middle School Students were introduced to Rachel’s Challenge, the emotional tale of Rachel Joy Scott, whose life was taken in the tragic events of Columbine High School in 1999.
To learn more about Rachel's story and the Thorne community's reaction please visit the
District website
.
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The Middletown Township Public Library (MTPL) will host Wreaths Across America in its lobby on Saturday, Nov. 16th and Saturday, Nov. 23rd.
Residents are encouraged to visit with the Wreaths Across America representatives to learn more about the organization and how to sponsor a wreath.
You can also register to volunteer on Saturday, Dec. 14th to help lay wreaths on the graves of local veterans at Fair View Cemetery on Rt. 35.
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A University Model in
Active Learning Classrooms
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The District has adapted the university "Active Learning Classroom" model from Rutgers University, and designed and implemented five new rooms in our middle schools and high schools. Research shows that active learning, when compared to individualistic learning, improves academic achievement, the quality of interpersonal interactions between peers, and a student's self-esteem. Learn more on the
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District Working to Develop
Global Citizenship Education
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District Supervisor of Social Studies and Technology, Wendy Morales, is emphasizing the concept of global citizenship education during the 2019-20 school year. As technology continues to transform higher education and workplace environments the importance of global competency for our students is rapidly increasing. To learn more about the District's global citizenship education efforts
please continue reading.
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Dr. George's Corner - Leading and Learning
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As an educator, district leader, and lifelong learner, I am fortunate enough to work in a school district where I learn something new every day. My daily interactions with students, teachers, support staff, administrators, parents, and many others have allowed me to consider unique perspectives and challenge my own beliefs.
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For two decades I have had the privilege of serving as an adjunct professor. This opportunity has allowed me to learn alongside educators with different expertise who serve in a variety of district roles. Instead of seeing myself as their professor, I choose to see myself as a “lead learner” inspiring other educators to embrace the infinitely unfinished process of learning.
Each day, we as educators have the ability to motivate all learners by inspiring them to maximize their potential through learning experiences that cultivate their strengths and passions.
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