NEWS FROM THE BERKELEY HEIGHTS PUBLIC SCHOOLS

MARY KAY MC MILLIN EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER

Grade 6 Peer Leaders from Columbia Middle School recently visited Mary Kay McMillin Early Childhood Center to present lessons that they had designed. The Peer Leaders role-modeled teamwork and positive behaviors during skits that they had created specifically for students at the Early Childhood Center. Good sportsmanship and cooperative learning took place in the context of activities that included stories, games and artwork.

This event gave the Columbia students an opportunity to prepare and deliver meaningful lessons. MKM students proved to be eager learners and truly enjoyed the connections made with the Grade 6 Peer Leaders.

THOMAS P. HUGHES SCHOOL

Thanks to a grant from the Junior League of Summit and the ongoing support of the Hughes PTO, Thomas P. Hughes School has recently unveiled its new Recess Walking Club. Currently, the club has over 200 members. These students opt to walk (or run!) for all or part of their recess periods on Tuesdays and Thursdays. PTO volunteers help keep track of the distance covered by the students, and prizes are awarded for reaching various milestones. Staff members often join in for some fresh air and exercise as well. Overall, the club has been a huge hit. Students, staff, and parents all look forward to continuing the club next year.

MOUNTAIN PARK SCHOOL

Mrs. Gale Dolan and several of Mr. David Boff's 6th grade students from Columbia Middle School recently presented a lesson to the Grade 4 classes at Mountain Park School. The lesson focused on being an up-stander and not a by-stander in school and life. The CMS students encouraged the fourth graders to share ways to be helpful to students who might be victims of bullying incidents. The sixth graders created a video which they wrote, filmed, and starred in about bullying and how it affects the students who are victims. Mrs. Dolan led a productive group discussion with the classes and then the students all completed a “helping hand” project with suggestions on how to be an up-stander. By saying something, telling someone, or helping the victim get away from the situation, students discussed the many helpful actions which can be taken in order to prevent bullying.

MOUNTAIN PARK SCHOOL (continued)

Mrs. Jill Fischer (pictured at right), School Nurse and Teacher of Health Education at Mountain Park, discusses the various life forms which have taken up residence in the pond located in the school’s courtyard as students in Mrs. Carla Pastore’s Grade 5 class listen and make their own observations. The Mountain Park PTO has beautified and enhanced the courtyard at the school, creating a natural habitat which includes this pond.

MOUNTAIN PARK SCHOOL (continued) Mrs. Angela Penna (second from left) recently spent a class period with Mrs. Pellegrini's fourth graders to help increase their awareness of students with Autism. She started her presentation by reading the story, "Looking After Louis" by Lesley Ely and Polly Dunbar, which tells about the school life of a student with Autism. Mrs. Reedy, Elementary Counselor at Mountain Park School, also participated in the dialogue and discussion about students with Autism. Students were encouraged to ask any questions or share thoughts they had about Autism. At the end of the lesson, the students in the class had become more enlightened about this topic.

WILLIAM WOODRUFF SCHOOL

William Woodruff School has continued its activities celebrating Earth Day and Arbor Day. Students and staff members participated in these celebrations in a wide variety of ways.

Through the support of the PTO, the Shannon Koch Memorial Garden and Marie Marzarella Schoolyard Habitat were renewed with new trees, planted to replace those trees damaged by Hurricane Sandy. A 50-year old pine tree was replaced with a Blue Spruce, and the red bud and dogwood planted in memory of Al Bebbino and Marianne Engel were replaced with red bud and witch hazel trees.

The students learned about planting, thanks to the efforts of Mrs. Diana Bjorge and the Garden Club. All of the second and third graders had the opportunity to plant their own seeds in the hope that they would grow and could be replanted at home and/or at school. Mrs. Calabrese’s class utilized recycled items to create neat, practical, and environmentally-sound projects. Ms. Barmakian’s class designed their own rain sticks to help ensure the spring growth. In addition, the Woodruff Student Council facilitated a Spring Photography Contest along with continued recycling efforts during lunch and in the classroom. A “litterless lunch” proved to all that we can reduce and reuse.

WILLIAM WOODRUFF SCHOOL (continued)

The Happy Feet Club at Woodruff School is up and running, with over 180 students participating in this weekly activity.

The students have selected as their team goal running the number of miles from Berkeley Heights to Texas. They are well on their way to reaching this goal, having logged over 1,624 miles so far. Special guest runner, District Technology Coordinator

Director Mike Skara, shared with the students how he started running and how he is now able to compete in 100-mile and 24-hour events. The students were amazed and inspired and are now working hard to set their own personal goals. To keep all Happy Feet Club members motivated, fifth graders Maycee Campano, Jordan Guerin and Alex Matthews - pictured here with Mrs. Diana Bjorge - created a beautiful canvas depicting the runners in action.

COLUMBIA MIDDLE SCHOOL

Lindsay Gerrato, Grade 8 student at Columbia Middle School, was one of three Junior High School Division winners of the 30th Annual New Jersey Young Playwrights Festival. According to Mrs. Diane Corley, Teacher of English at CMS, there were a total of 328 plays submitted by young writers from throughout the state. A panel of theatre professionals reviewed the scripts and then selected four High School plays, three Junior High School plays and three Elementary School plays for recognition. In each category, the selection process was blind; plays were selected without knowledge of playwrights' schools, grades or backgrounds. Lindsay’s play was recently read live at Kean University in front of an invited audience. ******************************************************************

A total of 10 Columbia Middle School students were recognized at the recent New Jersey Center for the Book reception as winners in the Library of Congress /NJ Center for the Book – “Letters About Literature” essay competition. CMS students Dan Baroff, Max Cohen, Jaimie Diamond, Michael Herman, Meryl Schaffer, Amanda Sy, Allison

Isola, Tom Peyton, Jenna Rabasca and Sam Gordon were all honored at the reception, which took place at the Princeton Art Museum.    Mrs. Donna Marcy, CMS Teacher of English, explained that “Letters About Literature” is a national reading promotion program of the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress. The task for young readers is to “write a letter to an author explaining how his or her work somehow changed your view of the world or yourself.”

GOVERNOR LIVINGSTON HIGH SCHOOL

Genevieve Caffrey, a senior at Governor Livingston High School, was recently honored at the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association 20th Annual Scholar-Athlete Awards Program and Luncheon at the Pines Manor in Edison. One outstanding senior scholar-athlete per school is selected to be recognized at this event, during which a total of 354 students from throughout New Jersey were honored for their accomplishments in the classroom and on the playing field. Genevieve (standing in photo at right) was honored to be included in this prestigious group and invited two of her coaches as her guests, Governor Livingston faculty members David Closs (left) and Sharon Leahy (right). GLHS is very proud of Genevieve’s amazing accomplishments as a top student and as a swimmer and a runner during her time at the school. She plans to attend Hamilton College in the fall. In addition, two Governor Livingston students were recognized at the Union County Interscholastic Athletic Conference Annual Scholar-Athlete Dinner held earlier this month at The Westwood in Garwood. GLHS seniors Alyssa Cranston and Elijah Kay were honored during this event for their tremendous accomplishments in the classroom and on the athletic field. Elijah, who hopes to add to his impressive track resume this spring, will be attending Bucknell University in the fall. Alyssa, who has starred as a soccer and basketball athlete over the past four years at GL, will be attending the University of Delaware.

DEPARTMENT OF SPECIAL SERVICES  

Students at Mary Kay McMillin Early Childhood Center students are enjoying a new addition to their classroom libraries. The Berkeley Heights Education Foundation awarded a grant providing each Preschool and Kindergarten classroom with a Barnes & Noble Nook HD+. These digital listening stations are replacing outdated books-on-tape and headphones. Students are enjoying the "read to me" and "read and play" features which bring favorite books to life. The e-books allow our students opportunities to practice following a story in a book, turning pages at appropriate times and making connections between pictures and the story. The listening stations also provide a wonderful opportunity for children to hear their favorite books read aloud again and again. The more they listen, the greater the likelihood that students will learn new vocabulary words and gain reading skills related to fluency. ****************************************************************** Mrs. Kassie Newton’s students at William Woodruff School have been participating in exciting outings this year to practice functional math, language and reading skills. They have visited Dean's Greens Nursery three times, where they participated in garden tours and potting plants. At Stop and Shop, the students toured the supermarket, purchased items, and used the self-checkout option. Mrs. Newton’s class has also visited DiMaio's Restaurant, TD Bank, the Berkeley Heights Post Office, Berkeley Heights Police Station and the Berkeley Heights Public Library. The students enjoyed a picnic in Snyder Park as well! Up-to-date information for the Department of Special Services can be found on the district website (bhpsnj.org) under “Services.”  ****************************************************************************** The Berkeley Heights Board of Education will hold its next meeting on Thursday, June 6th in the Blue Gymnasium at Columbia Middle School. Prior to the meeting, starting at 7:30 p.m., a special reception and ceremony will be held to honor District Retirees, Outstanding Student Achievers, and the Governor Livingston Golf Team - the 2013 Union County Champions. Please join us to salute and celebrate with all of the honorees!