MTPS Middle School Promotion and High School Graduation Schedules |
|
On Friday, May 14 Middletown Township Public Schools released the dates of its upcoming middle school promotion and high school graduation ceremonies.
All events will be held on the football fields of High School North and High School South, respectively.
For additional information please visit the district website, or your middle or high school website.
|
|
Middletown Village Students Celebrate Movers and Shakers |
|
For the final leg of their reading workshop character unit, third grade students at Middletown Village Elementary School participated in a project focused on significant individuals who changed the world.
Students choose a biography of interest from the "Who Is/Was" series and applied their character study skills and strategies to develop a greater understanding about the life and contributions of their subjects.
During their reading workshops, student researchers in Mr. Font, Mrs. Markiewicz and Mrs. Woods’ classes experienced the Holocaust with Anne Frank, planned a theme park with Walt Disney, discussed conservation with Steve Irwin, sang classic soul music with Aretha Franklin and fought for equality with Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
Through mini-lessons, conferences, post-its and notebook entries, students worked at home with recycled plastic bottles to create a physical representation of the individual they studied. The models were displayed in a school museum for peers, faculty and staff to visit during Middletown Village's Museum Day. Next to the models, student researchers placed a Chromebook for visitors to watch a recorded video that provides additional information about their subject, and to answer two important essay questions:
- Why is there a book about your subject?
- How would the world be different without your subject?
During Museum Day, fifth grade students were invited to view the bottles, watch the videos and discuss the work these student researchers completed. School parents were also invited to view a digital recording of the Museum Day exhibits via Google Slides.
While the method by which this unit was shared was different than in previous school years, these researchers were not only able to celebrate their world changing subjects, but also the BIG work they did as readers.
|
|
HS North Filmmakers Cover Helicopter Landings; Score Interview with Comedian Jim Breuer |
|
High School North filmmakers Jacob Waters and Sophia Haber Brock had a busy week, as the former produced a short film documenting the visit paid to campus by an emergency rescue helicopter piloted by United States National Guardsmen, while the latter scored a sit down interview with world renowned comedian and former Saturday Night Live cast member Jim Breuer. |
|
District Gathers Mental Health Panel to Educate Staff on Local Resources |
|
On May 5th, the district hosted a Mental Health Panel to educate staff on the local Mental Health agencies and resources available in Monmouth County.
These local agencies work directly with families and staff within the district.
Some of the services provided include, but are not limited to:
- Improving the Social-Emotional well-being of students
- Fostering the development of coping skills and strategies
- Housing needs/rental assistance
- Utility assistance
- Local food pantries
- Substance abuse programs
- Assistance with Special education/IEPs
- Respit care
- Suicide screenings
- Parent child conflict interventions and supports for grief
Each year, community needs and services change, making this collaborative opportunity integral to our district staff. Additionally, the various agencies in attendance are able to learn from our staff the diverse needs of our district community, which benefits the development of their services.
The agencies included in the panel were: CIACC (County Interagency Coordinating Council), Mental Health Association of Monmouth County, YMCA, CPC Behavioral Health, Family Based Services, Monmouth Cares, Middletown Municipal Alliance and Crossroads, TLC (Traumatic loss coalition), Monmouth Medical Center-PESS (Psychiatric Emergency Screening Services), Riverview Medical Center and Bayshore Medical Center Emergency services, and the Monmouth County prosecutor's Office Multidisciplinary Team.
|
|
Join us for the May 19 Board of Education Workshop Meeting |
|
Thank you for your interest in attending the May 19 Board of Education Workshop Meeting.
NOTE: In-person seating will be available to the public in the High School North media center. Seating will be conducted in accordance with six-foot social distancing mandates. If needed, overflow seating and a live stream of the meeting will be available in the High School North auditorium.
Virtual Access to the May 19 BOE Workshop Meeting
The public meeting will begin after executive session at approximately 8 p.m.
Please follow the link, or the U.S. dial-in phone option, to attend.
|
|
Middletown Community Celebrates Rick Unterstein at Softball Invitational |
|
Our school and softball communities came together on Saturday, May 1 at High School North for the inaugural Rick Unterstein Invitational, a multi-team fundraising event to honor the life and impact of the late district teacher who passed away unexpectedly in 2019.
The High School North and South softball programs were joined by some of the top programs and players in the Shore Conference for a six-game schedule that helped raise funds for a scholarship in Unterstein's name.
The event was highlighted by the appearance of Unterstein's daughters, Erin and Allison, who threw out the ceremonial first pitches prior to the Lions and Eagles' games.
The Lions also unveiled a new paint design for their home dugout, which includes the phrase "It's all about The U," as well as the dedication "In loving memory of Rick Unterstein."
Unterstein served in the High School North science department for 18 years, and spent time as an assistant coach with both the Lions and Eagles softball program.
|
|
Bayview's Heroes Cafe Honored by Middletown Mayor Tony Perry |
|
Bayview Elementary Schools' Heroes Cafe was honored to receive a special order this week from Middletown Township Mayor Tony Perry, members of the Township Committee, and members of the Middletown Township Police Department's Administrative Team.
The students greeted the mayor outside the school with the prepared orders in hand, and provided the Mayor a tutorial about how to prepare the Heroes Cafe's specialty iced coffee.
The students spent time speaking with the elected officials and passing out orders.
Since January, in collaboration with the Bayview school community, the Heroes Cafe has raised more than $1000 for the No Limits Cafe. In honor of the Heroes Cafe's contributions, the No Limits Cafe has created a speciality grilled cheese sandwich.
During this community based instruction project the students have learned that “there are NO LIMITS to what a HERO CAN DO!!"
The Heroes Cafe would like to extend a special thank you to the amazing therapists and paraprofessionals who have supported this student-driven venture, as well as to Mrs. Tara Raspanti and Mrs. Danielle Schroeck for their continued support.
|
|
MTPS Learning Acceleration Summer Program Survey |
|
This Middletown Township Public School District has begun planning possible summer programs for our K-8 students, and would like to better understand students' interests, needs and availability to properly prepare.
The district's goal is to provide students with the opportunity over the summer to participate in meaningful and engaging learning activities that may have been limited or "lost" over the past year, and your input is crucial to the planning process.
Thank you for your participation.
|
|
Thorne Students Beautify Campus with Chalk Displays |
|
Thorne Middle School students in Mrs. Kristyn Corace's class expanded on their recent lessons about world renowned street artists Julian Beever and Edgar Muller by creating sidewalk art pieces of their own.
Like Beever, an artist who uses chalk to develop Trompe-l'œil pieces on sidewalks around the globe, Corace's students designed original works around the pathways of the Port Monmouth campus, bringing color and life to their cement canvases.
Keep up the wonderful work!
|
|
MTPS ESEA Stakeholder
Assessment Survey for FY22
|
|
The Middletown Township Public School District is conducting a stakeholder survey to provide input for its FY22 ESEA programming and budgetary planning. Your feedback as a district and/or community stakeholder is highly valued in assisting the district to identify priority areas of need.
Thank you for your participation in this integral process.
|
|
MTPS Meal Distribution Schedule Change Beginning May 10th |
|
Monday Meal Distribution
Beginning May 10, our Monday meal pickup will be reserved for 100% Virtual Students only. Pickup will be available at High School North and High School South from 7:30-9 a.m. Monday's pickup will provide meals for five days of breakfast and lunch. Again, these meals are for 100% virtual students only.
Friday Meal Distribution
Friday's pickup will include meals for the weekend, and includes two days of breakfast and lunch. Pick-up is available at High School North or High School South from 7:30-9:00 a.m. Friday pickup is available to ALL DISTRICT STUDENTS.
Free District Meals Program Extended
The Families First Coronavirus Response Act has has allowed the US Department of Agriculture to extend its provision of free meals to all students under the National School Lunch Program. This provision is available to all Middletown Township Public School students, regardless of income eligibility status. The district will be fully reimbursed for any meals distributed through this program.
|
|
New Monmouth Student Inventors Embrace STEM Education |
|
New Monmouth Elementary School student-inventors in Mrs. Molly Arnette's class took their STEM education lessons out of the classroom and combined it with their own creative energies to develop homemade masterpieces out of recycled materials.
Their inventions included a lantern shelving unit, a stand for cell phones and other mobile devices, guitars, piggy banks and other incredible art pieces.
Excellent job! Keep up the wonderful work!
|
|
Student Choice on Display During Civil War Lesson |
|
Thompson Middle School students in Mrs. Heather Engelken's history class used choice boards to develop self-directed projects to gain a deeper understanding of the American Civil War.
Students created board games, models of ironclad warships, and graphic novels, like the one below, to cultivate a comprehensive understanding about the subject, as well as stronger engagement with their peers.
|
|
COVID-19 Dashboard Updates |
|
The MTPS COVID-19 Dashboard has been updated with new quarantine timeframes, in accordance with the New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) Recommended Minimum Quarantine Timeframes and the most recent NJDOH COVID-19 Activity Level Report.
Also included are quarantine exemptions for those who have tested positive in the last 90 days and for those who are fully vaccinated.
Please reach out to your school nurse if you would like more information.
|
|
Watch the May 4 Parent Information Committee Meeting |
|
Clifton Named National Cross Country Coach of the Year |
|
After landing state and regional Cross Country Coach of the Year honors earlier this year, Middletown South's William Clifton was named the top scholastic girls cross country coach in the nation by the National Federation of High Schools.
Clifton has been at the helm of the Eagles Cross Country program for 19 years, and under his guidance the Eagles have soared to 12 division championships, three Monmouth County crowns and two Shore Conference titles. At the NJSIAA level, Middletown South has earned seven sectional championships and two group titles.
"I'm just thankful to have had the opportunity all these years to be a positive influence on a teenager's life. I have to thank the team for having confidence and believing in the staff, and for just being strong women, not only as athletes, but as people," said Clifton during an April 27 recognition ceremony prior to the Board of Education Voting Meeting."
Congratulations to Coach Clifton on this wonderful and well-deserved honor!
|
|
WATCH: Bayshore Band Delivers Virtual Talent Show Performance; Celebrates Jazz Appreciation Month |
|
Earlier this month the Bayshore Middle School Jazz Band recorded a live performance of "Megalovania" for inclusion in a virtual talent night hosted by Rising Voices: A Mentorship Council for Empowerment. The band also used the virtual performance to discuss the maturation of Jazz as a means to celebrate April as Jazz Appreciation Month. |
|
District Students Earn
NJ Law Day Contest Honors
|
|
In recognition of Law Day 2021, the Superior Court of New Jersey invited students across the state to participate in its annual Law Day Art, Poetry and Essay contest.
The contest allowed students to demonstrate their creativity and talents while taking part in a celebration of our nation’s laws.
Fairview Elementary School fifth grade student, Jeff Jiju, was selected as the winner of the Elementary Art Contest (Grade 3-5) for his interpretation of the American flag.
The following Middletown Township Public School Students were recognized for their poetry contest submissions:
- Abhingna Chitiboina, Fairview - 1st Place (4th Grade)
- Olivia Lopusznick, New Monmouth - 2nd Place (5th Grade)
- Emily Helwig, New Monmouth - 3rd Place (5th Grade)
- Lindsey Winters, New Monmouth - 3rd Place (5th Grade)
The American Bar Association (ABA) selected “Advancing the Rule of Law, Now” as this year’s Law Day theme, which served as a prompt for the honored poets.
“The rule of law is the bedrock of American rights and liberties—in times of calm and unrest alike. The 2021 Law Day theme—Advancing the Rule of Law, Now—reminds all of us that we the people share the responsibility to promote the rule of law, defend liberty, and pursue justice," said the ABA of this year's theme.
Contest winners will be recognized in a virtual ceremony on Wednesday, May 5.
Additionally, winning poetry entries will be showcased in a virtual Poetry Slam.
|
|
Township Offers Earth Month Volunteer Opportunities |
|
April is Earth Month, but the Township of Middletown is offering a multitude of long term volunteer opportunities for students related to sustainability efforts and the improvement of our environment.
To learn more about the volunteer opportunities please visit the following:
The Mini Grant Clean Communities Program is developed to give local non-profits an opportunity to clean up an area of town and raise money for their organization. Middletown Township will be able to provide a $500 grant with Clean Communities funding for the efforts of these groups.
Second Chance Toys is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to rescuing and refurbishing plastic toys for donation to local organizations who care for in-need youth in Monmouth County, around New Jersey and across the nation. This not only helps those in need, it also keeps these non-biodegradable items out of landfills.
Residents, businesses, and community groups have the opportunity to adopt a garden on Township property for an entire season. This is an opportunity for residents to help keep our town beautiful and while getting some exercise and fresh air! Volunteers adopting a section will need to commit to a one year period of time. Duties include weeding, mulching, and some pruning.
Middletown Township is installing a new butterfly garden at Poricy Park Nature Center (345 Oak Hill Road) and is in need of volunteers to help plant (green thumb optional)! Once completed, this Butterfly Garden will provide a natural habitat for butterflies and other pollinators that are vital to the sustainability of the plant life in Middletown.
|
|
Bayview Students Present
at Exploration Fair
|
|
On Wednesday, April 28, Bayview Elementary School held its annual #WeAreBayview Exploration Fair, an event in which fifth grade students receive the opportunity to explore any topic of their choosing.
This self-directed learning opportunity exemplifies the district's mission to promote student voice and choice during their learning journey.
Bayview students explored a multitude of topics, including:
- Bass Fishing
- Biodegradable Plastics
- Volcanoes
- Greek Gods and Goddesses
- Physical and Chemical Changes
- Bottle Rockets
- Food Science.
The process of developing these presentations is designed to have students explore:
- Questions
- Passions
- Ideas
- Problems
- Solutions
- Creativity
|
|
Watch the April 27 Board of Education Meeting |
|
YMCA Offers COVID-19 Response Resources for Parents, Guardians and Teachers |
|
The Middletown Township Public School District requires that a daily health screening form must be completed each day before your student(s) enters the building. Please visit the home page of your school's website to access your school's unique screening form, or follow the links below.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
