MILLSTONE TOWNSHIP PRIMARY SCHOOL STUDENTS SHARE THEIR ARTWORK WITH THE WORLD
Move Over Famous Artists! Millstone Township Primary School artists are taking over the spotlight! Shannon Bell, the school’s Art Teacher, has teamed up with Artsonia, www.artsonia.com — the world’s largest online kid’s art museum — to display the students’ artwork.
Anyone can view the school gallery online at: www.artsonia.com/schools/MillstoneTownshipPrimary1. Visitors can browse the artwork in the school gallery by grade level, or by specific exhibits. Millstone Township Primary School students join thousands of students from over 130 countries whose artwork is showcased on Artsonia. “This program is a wonderful way to get parents and family members more involved in Art Education,” said Shannon Bell.
All of Artsonia’s artwork (20 million and counting!) are viewable online, and any teacher or parent can create an online art gallery for their child or school. Artsonia provides several online features such as fan clubs and personal guestbooks, as a way for families to encourage the creativity and imaginations of their young artists. In addition, family members can purchase keepsakes imprinted with the child’s artwork, with Artsonia donating 20 percent of their annual product revenue back to school art programs.
Headquartered in Gurnee, Ill., Artsonia was established in 2000 as an online kid’s art museum providing free, educational resources for kids, families and schools to create art projects. Since its inception, Artsonia continues to integrate technology in the classroom, develop multi-cultural understanding through art and increase family involvement in children’s education. To find out more, visit www.artsonia.com.
As you may be aware, this year we plan to conduct a comprehensive review of the district’s math program. This will include an audit of our materials and their alignment to the standards, practices for instruction, placement criteria, and advanced class offerings. The first step in this process is to form a Math Committee comprised of teachers, parents, and community members. If you, or someone you know, has a skill set and interest related to the field of mathematics, along with the time to commit to the review process, please reach out to me as soon as possible.
Please read the following six paragraphs carefully:
A. The state has required that we provide information relative to students with or without medical insurance. Please enter this information by following the following steps in your RealTime account(s).
To access the Parent Portal, go to the district website, www.ufrsd.net, select “Communication”
Enter your login information. (For Help contact Ms. Nickerson at 609. 259-7292, x1426
Click Health Insurance.
Answer “Does your child have health insurance?” If Yes, select your provider)
If No, you check the box for a NJ Family Care contact re: health insurance (enter name)
Click Save when finished.
B. Directions for parents wishing to pay for a fee or put money on a lunch account using RealTime:
Access the Parent Portal using the district website, www.ufrsd.net, select “Communication”
Enter your login information. (For Help contact Ms. Nickerson,609. 259-7292, x1426
Click Online Payments to pay Fees / Tuition / Transportation
Enter 1 in box after item or 0 if it does not apply
Click Food Service for School Lunch money on account
Enter desired amount / Click SAVE when finished.
C. Please refer to the letter below the text of the e-mail accompanying the verbal message for information about the provisions we have made to control the spread of infectious diseases within the school facilities of the UFRSD. You will find several links to information provided by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) that will help you become better aware of simple precautions that will help reduce the possibility of catching the flu or a virus.
D. You will find a response on our website to the events taking place in Sayreville on our website. Please be advised that our 2013 revision of Policy 5512 addresses the manner in which our district would respond to any accusations made by any member of the school community relative to bullying, hazing, harassment, intimidation, and reprisal as well as appropriate consequences and remedial actions.
This article will be the first in a series of articles defining how the Millstone Republican Township Committee candidates feel they are different from their Democratic challengers. They will define, in their own words, why you should vote for them.
For the upcoming November 4 election, there are four candidates vying for the two three-year terms on the Millstone Township Committee.
The two Republican incumbent Township Committeemen are Deputy Mayor Michael Kuczinski and Committeeman Fiore Masci.
The two Democratic candidates are Brian Dorf and Raymond Dothard.
The Millstone Township Republican Chairman Steve Lambros describes his feelings on the democratic challengers campaign.
“For no good reason we are receiving a challenge this year from the opposition party who either has a hidden agenda or just wants to govern. But, for no good reason, they are making us spend tons of money to defend our position.
We have a long proud history of positive accomplishments. We are just regular homeowners who many years ago, decided to get involved with the local government so that we could continue to develop a good quality of life for everyone, with schools that are not overcrowded with children, with streets that are not overcrowded with traffic. A place where our property taxes are maintained at affordable levels. We have done a great job through the municipally elected Republican officials we support.
Today, we are going up against two people who are unengaged, uninformed and unqualified. They are not willing to face us in public — but we are willing to face them. They are not giving anyone an opportunity to refute what they are saying in an open environment. It is a great disappointment to us.
We don’t mind the challenge but we don’t deserve the challenge. All 5 members of the Township Committee are doing an outstanding job. If they didn’t, they wouldn’t receive the Republican Party endorsement year after year,” Lambros said.
L to R: Mayor Bob Kinsey, Deputy Mayor Mike Kuczinski, Assemblyman Ron Dancer, Committeeman Fiore Masci
Differences between the Republicans and Democrats:
The Republican candidates are engaged and active participants in the community. Both Fiore Masci and Mike Kuczinski have volunteered and played decisive roles on many committees and organizations during the time they have resided in Millstone Township. Their love of Millstone’s rural character and dedication to maintaining all of the attributes that originally enticed them to live in Millstone have guided them into governing on the Township Committee. They feel their accomplishments, their dedication to open space, their pursuit of shared services and their financial and management acumen are some of the reasons why they are asking for your vote.
Steve Lambros said, “I see the election as a great contrast between Fiore Masci and Mike Kuczinski and the opponents. Fiore and Mike have spent the last decade doing everything they can to preserve the town, minimize property taxes, enhance residents’ quality of life. Our opponents want to reverse all that. They want to increase and intensify the development of homes and increase and intensify the commercial development. They want to make more affordable homes on small lots which will result in higher taxes for all residents.”
Fiore Masci
Millstone Township Committeeman Fiore Masci
Fiore Masci has resided in Millstone for the past 16 years. After actively searching many towns in New Jersey, he chose Millstone as his family residence because it was a beautiful town with good schools, lovely parks, diversity in how it was developed and not overbuilt like most towns. He strongly supports the town’s rural character.
Masci started getting deeply involved in the community when he founded the Millstone Pop Warner program.
“Every Sunday, I traveled with hundreds of parents of both boys and girls to the Pop Warner games.
There was this unification of the town that I saw that I never experienced before. I loved being a part of a large group and having such a positive impact on people’s lives. I got involved because I wanted to have a good program for my kids. I was never thinking it would transform into the program it is today. I got to meet wonderful people in town.
Every one of us, we all moved here for the same reasons. Millstone was a beautiful community that offered everything we wanted for our families. When the opportunity came to me to be involved in the Township Committee, I really loved the idea that I could take the model I used in the Pop Warner program for 6-7 years and take my experience managing my own business and apply the very same principals to improve the quality lives of so many people.
I served on the Recreation Committee where I got to see how positively youth and adult sports affect the quality of life for our residents.
But it was really my respect for Nancy Grbelja that led me to get involved. I had so much respect for her then and I have so much respect for her now. I jumped at the chance to be part of the team.”
Masci is contrite as he defined his accomplishments.
“I am not one to communicate my successes because it’s really the people that surround me that help get me here. It’s because of my fellow Township Committee members and all of the Republican Committee members that I am here today.
My approach is always to look at things in the same way I run my business. I look at where we may have weaknesses. I look at where we need to develop strengths.”
Masci describes when he began on the Township Committee, the relationship between the Millstone School District and the Township Committee was extremely challenged and lacked communication.
The school budget continuously was voted down by residents and it was the responsibility of the Township Committee to review the budget and determine cuts. Masci was appointed Township liaison to the Board of Education.
“At that time, the Board had members that weren’t people you could communicate with. We have gone to great lengths to change this. It is because of this Township Committee and me being liaison that these changes were made. We now have the best relationship we ever had with them. We work closely together developing a whole new list of shared services that are saving taxpayers thousands of dollars, sharing things like janitorial services, electrical, HVAC, IT, salt and brine solutions from Monmouth County and a host of other things. It’s all about saving taxpayer dollars,” Masci said.
Another Township initiative that Masci played a key role in saving a half million dollars was related to a parcel of commercial land the Township owned that had specific environmental issues that needed to be addressed. Masci’s business acumen and line of questioning directly led to the significant savings of a half million dollars.
As liaison to the Millstone Department of Public Works (DPW), Masci and the Township Committee review all spending and invoices and ask questions about potential purchases.
In doing so, the Township was able to save multiple thousands of dollars by using replacement parts on equipment rather than replacing the entire piece of equipment. The Township also saved a significant amount of money by using recap tires on Township vehicles. For example, new tires may cost $600-$700 each but the Township is now paying only $200 per tire by using recap tires.
Masci said, “All these areas are areas that I feel really good about. It’s all about being efficient with taxpayer dollars. I look at spending taxpayer money as if it were my own. That’s how government should be. This wasn’t something that I just learned from having my own business. I learned this working with people like Mike, Gary, Bob and Nancy. Each one of us brings their own specialty to the table. We work well together. We respect each other.”
Mike Kuczinski
Deputy Mayor Michael Kuczinski
Mike Kuczinski shares Fiore Masci’s interest in retaining the rural quality of Millstone Township.
Kuczinski has lived in Millstone Township for the past 13 years coming to Millstone because he liked the openness and rural character of the town. He felt that many other places appeared crowded and over built but Millstone was just right. He has served as Township Committeeman for more than five years but has been active in the community as a volunteer on various boards, councils and/or associations for about 11 years.
“The importance of being on the Township Committee for me today is to further and continue the policies and initiatives we have implemented over the years that have been a winning strategy for the residence of Millstone, delivering the highest quality of life at the lowest cost.
We all came here for the same reasons and we work hard to protect what we have and love about Millstone. When I first moved here, I began volunteering as a baseball coach, then I went on the Recreation Commission, the Planning Board and one thing led to another and I kept getting involved in multiple things in town and helping out where I could. It was always for the betterment of the town. When things came around and there was consideration about having a pet cemetery incinerator in town, I really got involved. I got together with some neighbors, put together a group, we all hired an attorney at our own expense, got the Township Committee involved and they helped us along the way. We had many people standing behind us because we didn’t want a pet cemetery and incinerator in Millstone. We said we didn’t want this and would fight tooth and nail to stop it. This thing wasn’t going to go away unless we fought it. It was for road kill and horses – not the family pet. They were trying to say the emissions weren’t going to be harmful. We fought hard and defeated it.
I’m proud of my involvement in that.
I’m also a member of the Planning Board, on the Rec Commission, Open Space Commission, Office of Emergency Management. I’m involved with the Millstone Fire Commissioners and First Aid. I’m involved in a lot of areas and I take a personal interest in what goes on in Millstone. It all started years ago because I saw how things were going on then.
When I first moved here, my taxes were $8,700 year. Within five years, they doubled — not because of the municipal tax but due to the school, county and state tax increases. Since Republicans are on the Township Committee, we were able to stabilize taxes and we implement the master plan.
We stopped all that building. Under past leadership, building was just running rampant. They didn’t care how many houses were built. They didn’t care about the ultimate potential problems of roads, infrastructure, increases in the student population. They built the middle school based on projections and now we are not utilizing all our schools to capacity. If we don’t keep the quality of life as it and better it from here, Millstone will be just like every other town. We don’t want that.
We need the recreational facilities. Fiore and I were on the Rec Commission together and visited many other towns. They all have these incredible, beautiful recreation facilities. Why don’t we have those kind of facilities? We should have them but that wasn’t a priority back then. Instead they built Wagner Farm Park way too small and it can’t accommodate any programs. It’s just a big waste of money. We are avoiding that kind of mistake.
With the new Millstone Park, we will build something sizable that makes sense and attracts big commercial advertisers like Nike that will help us by being a sponsor and bringing money back to the town. Think of what we can do with that.
How did we do it? In a responsible way, on 180 acres, away from everyone and advertised to the whole town so everyone knew about the future plans for the park. Millstone Park is going to be a full blown recreation facility.
In the past, things were done for the town but not for the betterment of the town,”Kuczinski said.
The Millstone Township Committee is currently seeking $250,000 in Monmouth County Municipal Open Space grant funds to create Millstone Park on Red Valley Road, formerly known as the Lee Farm. This 180-acre property was preserved through the New Jersey Green Acres program several years ago.
The first phase of the plan would allow for the construction of a boat ramp, a fishing pier, a building with restrooms, a concession stand and multipurpose fields. Millstone Park will accommodate active and passive recreational pursuits.
“The idea that a company like Nike, one of the largest companies in the world, would sit down with us and even contemplate using that site for tournaments in soccer speaks volumes as to this park we are developing. We are doing this over phases and in a responsible manner. We are doing it without increasing taxes at all!” Masci said.
“The Lego Movie” is Most Popular Movie Choice Among Millstone Township Students
The Millstone Township Foundation for Educational Excellence (MTFEE) will be hosting its fourth annual “Family Movie Day” on November 16 at the Millstone Township Performing Arts Center (MPAC) at Millstone Township Middle School (5 Dawson Court). Pre-movie children’s activities including minute-to-win-it games with prizes, crafts, face painting and tattoos are planned to begin at 1:00 p.m. The movie, “The Lego Movie®,” will start at 2:30 p.m. A concession stand will be available for refreshments. Sponsorship opportunities, which start at $50, are available. MTFEE is a non-profit organization devoted to funding grants for items that nurture extraordinary educational experiences for every student in the Millstone Township School District.
A $5 minimum donation per person is requested, with advanced payment. $6 at the door. Donations will help provide grant funding for innovative and exciting classroom programs, educational opportunities for students, staff development, and state-of-the-art teaching materials that are beyond the scope of the general school budget. Please visit www.mtfee.org to process your payment for the movie and/or a sponsorship.
To build excitement and get the students involved, the foundation asked the teachers in Millstone Township schools to poll their students on several popular family-friendly movies. The winning movie was “The Lego Movie.” It is a PG-rated, computer animated, adventure comedy film starring the voices of Chris Pratt, Will Ferrell, Elizabeth Banks, Liam Neeson and Morgan Freeman. Based on the Lego line of construction toys, the film tells the story of an ordinary Lego mini figure prophesied to save the universe from the villain.
MTFEE will be collecting canned food donations such as gravies, cranberries, sweet potatoes, potatoes (boxed), stuffing, turkey and ShopRite gift cards to help provide Thanksgiving dinners for Millstone Township families in need.
MTFEE operates independently from the school district and replenishes its grant fund exclusively through private donations and its fundraising efforts. The foundation has awarded more than $486,670 in grants to Millstone Township schools since 2002. MTFEE grants, which have been awarded at every grade level and in every discipline, have included a book room, STEAM enrichment programs, SMARTBoards®, mobile computer and iPad™ labs, and a rock climbing wall.
There are currently more than 60 MTFEE-funded grant programs running. Every child that matriculates through the school district will in some way benefit from an MTFEE-funded grant. MTFEE is a member of New Jersey Education Foundation Partnership and The National Consortium of State and Local Education Foundations (NCEFS).
Letter from Millstone Superintendent Scott Feder about American Education Week
Dear Millstone Families,
I am pleased to invite you to visit us during American Education Week this year on Monday, November 17th and Tuesday, November 18th. Each school has set aside those days to welcome visitors and share the many wonderful things happening with your children. I know your schedules are very full at this time of year and many of you have children in more than one school, so please see the schedule listed below to meet your needs and maximize your time.
We know there are many opportunities throughout the year for you to join us, but American Education Week is a special time. These visits enable you to see the schools in action on a regular day and get a sense of what your children experience in their everyday learning.
I look forward to seeing you during your visits.
Sincerely,
Scott Feder
Superintendent
AMERICAN EDUCATION WEEK – VISITATION SCHEDULE
Primary School
9:45 am – 11:30 am and 1:45 pm – 3:00 pm
Elementary School
9:15 am – 11:15 am and 1:30 pm – 3:00 pm
Middle School
(Grade 6) 8:30 am -11:10 am and 11:50 am – 2:50 pm
“Freedom isn’t free. It comes at a cost,” Barry Rosenzweig of the Veterans of the Vietnam War Inc and the Veterans Coalition New Jersey Post 03 told sixth grade students at an assembly in the Millstone Middle School.
L to R: Barry Rosenzweig, William Nurko, Jerry Gottleib
The Dear POWMIA program is a two-assembly patriotic educational program that teaches students about the POWMIA flag and what it means to be a prisoner of war and a soldier missing in action.
The message given, “Never forget.” The message received, “I will never forget.”
Soldiers make sacrifices. They leave their families to go all over the world to serve our country. Some never return to see their waiting loved ones again.
In 1999, Rosenzweig, a retired principal from the Jackson Township School District, developed the lesson plans for teaching students the meaning of the POWMIA flag.
Both Mr. Rosenzweig and Mr. Bill Nurko have been teaching this interactive program to Millstone students for the past several years. Jerry Gottleib, 88, and the sculptor of the Millstone Veterans Memorial, Blaise Batko, were special honored guest hosts.
In the first assembly, students were asked to speak to their parents and trace their military family tree. Rosenzweig also taught the students about the symbolism and meaning behind the flag. He then asked students to share this insight with their parents.
Rosenzweig described the black and white colors which signify that this is black and white situation having no gray area. Soldiers are missing and have never returned. Rosenzweig described the silhouette of a US soldier with a watchtower in the background representing Vietnamese soldiers watching over him. Rosenzweig spoke of the barbed wire surrounding the camp and how the soldier is being held against his will. Rosenzweig described the incomplete laurel wreath representing the tradition of the ancient Greeks heroes returning from war wearing wreaths on their heads. Rosenzweig said that when all of those missing are returned, the flag would show a complete wreath.
Students were asked to write a letter to a family member of a prisoner of war or a person missing in action. Teachers assisted students. Two exceptional letters were read at the second assembly.
Students were respectful and considerate as they participated in the assemblies.
If you are fortunate enough to know a Millstone sixth grader, ask them to teach YOU about what they learned!
Christina Stevie Orthodoxou reading her Dear POWMIA letter.
Evan Howes reading his Dear POWMIA letter.
Natalie Rivera, Sophee Steckbeck and George Schmidt try on vintage military hats.
George Schmist, Andrew Hill, Tyler Castellano and David Borrero sporting vintage military hats.Demetrios Paisis wearing an authentic German helmet.Alyssia Carotenuto and Sydnet Schubel – Thanking Veteran Jerry Gottleib for serving our country.
Schools are in continuous motion providing answers to these two questions, as well as developing measures for assessing them and finally creating a manner in which to report on them. In recent years, the State of NJ and the rest of the Nation have associated “Achievement” and “Success” with varied measures; most being related to standardized testing of one sort or another. With that said, Millstone is interested in taking a different approach to this question and rather than letting a set of test scores be our only defining moments, we are choosing to look with both a deeper and a wider lens. This in no way takes away from our amazing test scores (with over 100 PERFECT SCORES last year alone) and huge student achievement on standardized tests, but these two words are bigger and that is very important concept for all to remember.
On December 15th, The Millstone Board of Education, at its regularly scheduled meeting, will be honoring the “Successes” and “Achievements” of our incredible student body. Not only will we be honoring our academic successes, but we have reached out to identify the many other ways our students “achieve” and “succeed,” and oh what a night it is going to be. Artists, athletes, thinkers and others who just have a gift of giving, will all be honored on this evening.
Every child looks to find their place, and this continues in adulthood as we look for our niche and find our way. Is every great athlete in childhood going to “go pro,” or is every Honors Language Arts student going to write the next great American novel? Probably not, but experiencing success and achievement are powerful emotions that last forever. I still recall my honorable mention for my 3rd grade science fair project and although I do not remember the specifics (other than the dissection of a very large fish) I remember the receipt of the certificate. Did I become a forensic scientist, no, but I did gain confidence and see myself as someone who could achieve and succeed when I put my mind and effort to it. That is what this night is about. It is about honoring and promoting success in any form and acknowledging that we have incredible students in Millstone and whether they wrote the winning essay, sank the final 3-pointer to win the championship or “Cheered” their way to Orlando this month, it is our honor and privilege to recognize and thank them for their great achievements both in and out of school.
So what does it mean to “Achieve” and how can we define “Success?”
Let’s keep a wide open view of these terms and understand at the core, that the answer is so very different for every child and person. For me in 3rd grade, it must have been a big deal as I am still remembering many, many (ok, way too many) years later in the fondest way. I can’t remember how many honorable mentions there were and I did not come home with a ribbon, but still felt success and remain proud of that accomplishment. We all have had moments of success in our childhood that in turn have helped us become who we are in adult life. As such, the theme of our celebration on December 15th is very simple: children can achieve great things and by recognizing their achievements today, the impact will last for years to come.
On behalf of the Millstone Township Schools and Board of Education, congratulations to all of our success stories!
Scott Feder
Superintendent of Schools, Millstone Township
At the Millstone Township Board of Education meeting on Monday evening, more than 100 students were recognized for their academic and athletic accomplishments.
See the extensive list below highlighting all students who may have their names published on the internet.
Way to go!
MIDDLE SCHOOL
Perfect NJASK Math Scores 2014
ALEXANDER ANTHONY
SRINIDHI BAILE
LUCAS BECK
KAITLYN BERGEN
CHRISANNA BERTUCCIO
AIDAN BYRNE
ALLISON CASALE
VICTORIA CAGNETTA
JULIANNA CONFORTI
TONIMARIE CROWE
VINCENT DATELLO
CADY DELACRUZ
JOSE ACEVEDO DENIZ
DANTE DISILVESTRO
AYLA DLUGOSZ
TIMOTHY FOO SIAM
CHRISTOPH FORTE
GALINA GORDON
MEGAN GRAY
MAANSI JAIN
BENJAMIN HAHN
ASPEN KIENTZLER
BENJAMIN KOKOT
DENNIS KRASINETS
ERIC KRASINETS
NURI KWON
KELLY LEW
BRENDON LUDDEN
MICHAEL MAIZEL
TARA MAGEE
JACK MARTINEK
ROBERT MCQUADE
NOAH MEIER
AYAAN MEMON
JACOB MENDELSOHN
DANIEL MERKEL
SEAN MULLIGAN
MATTHEW PAGLIA
SAMUEL PARKER
PRISCILLA PITIAK
ARMAAN PRUTHI
ALYSSA PUGLIESE
MICHAEL PUGLIESE
NATALIE RIVERA
GEORGE SCHMIDT
GIANNA SCOTT
AUBREY SILVERMAN
GABRIELLE SKOWRONSKI
KYLE SIKKEMA
SARAH SOLIMAN
NATHANIEL SOMERS
KYLE SULLIVAN
RYAN WHITNEY
WILLIAM ZHA
MIDDLE SCHOOL Perfect NJASK LA Score 2014
Christina Morris
Sarah Soliman
Erica Urich
Avid Reader Awards
Luke DePinho
Sarah Rainford
American Girl Fashion Show Fundraiser
Sophia Schindel
Fencing Acknowledgment
Galina Gordon
Undefeated in Travel Lacrosse
Ava Scudillo
Shore Intermediate Band
Selection
Nuri Kwon
Asbury Park Essay Winners
Bianca Battaglia (1st Place)
Galina Gordon (2nd Place)
Paul Moyer (3rd Place)
Elementary School
Perfect NJASK Math Scores 2014
ABHILASH BODALA
MADELINE BRANIN
MICHAEL DORAN
GAVIN ELWELL
CHARLES HACKETT
ZAK KHEDER
TYLER KOWAL
CASSANDRA LEACH
MORGAN LENTINO
ANTHONY LOTRUGLIO
JULIANNA LUIZZA
LANA MAIZEL
LAILA MARTINEZ
ELLIE MASHKEVICH
DIEGO ORTIZ MISKIMEN
ANDREW PAGLIA
ZOE PRUTHI
JAKE SACCO
GIUSEPPE SCIBILIA
JOSIE SHAPIRO
OLIVIA STAUDER
ZACHARY TAYLOR
MISHA VERMA
DREW WARFEL
KENNETH WINES
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PERFECT NJASK SCIENCE SCORES 2014
MILLSTONE TOWNSHIP PTSA GIFTS MORE THAN $37,300 TO ITS MIDDLE SCHOOL
Organization also raised more than $9,600 in Scholastic Book Credit
The Millstone Township PTSA, a non-profit group of parents, students, educators and community members who work together to support the schools and offer educational opportunities for its students, announced today that it gifted more than $37,300 to the Millstone Township Middle School during the 2013-2014 school year. The organization also raised more than $9,600, in Scholastic book credit from its book fairs last school year. This will not only be used for the middle school library, but also the classroom libraries in that school.
The $37,300 has been used to purchase 2 indoor Rower Black Model D with PM5 monitor from Concept2; Smart SPNL-6065 interactive flat panel mount on flat wall for the media center; Elmo TT-121 Document Camera; 20 iPads with cart & accessories; Camp Fairview trip 2014/15; school planners; awards for graduation; 8thgrade “Diversity” day trip and presenter; 12 iPad covers with wireless keyboard; iTunes cards; 8thgrade trip shirts and NJ Ask breakfast.
The PTSA would like to thank everyone who supported them last year. “We have a fun and exciting school year planned for our students, from dances to holiday door decorating contests,” said Michele Stillwell, co-president, PTSA. “We need your help to make our PTSA even stronger! Joining the PTSA is a great way to stay connected to your middle school child, without interfering with his/her growing independence. We are always looking for new members including parents, teachers, staff and students to chair the events the PTSA has planned for this year.”
The current PTSA executive board consists of Co-Presidents Michele Stillwell and Kristen Saker. Michele Bomba as Vice President; Jody Dona as Treasurer; Lisa Pado as the Recording Secretary and Candace Colonna-Borgese as the Corresponding Secretary.
For more information about PTSA, how to donate or its fundraising efforts, please e-mail atmtmsptsa@gmail.com, visitmtmsptsa.comand Like Us on Facebook.
Millstone Township Primary School Kindergarten and Preschool Registration
2015-2016
The Millstone Township School District will hold Kindergarten and Preschool registration for the 2015–2016 school year on Wednesday, February 25, 2015 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. and on Thursday, February 26, 2015 from 9:30-11:30 a.m. At the time of registration, parents or guardians must bring the completed registration packet downloaded from the district’s website.
Registrants must provide an original birth certificate with a raised state seal, four current proofs of residency, immunization report, and one copy of each original document. If applicable, child custody or guardianship papers can be submitted at this time.
As many of you know, the children in our school have been collecting aluminum pop tabs for the last several years. The program was started by Joanne Schiumo (former teacher) in the Elementary and Primary Schools. This year we are expanding our collection to include the Middle School. We’ve been collecting them for the children of Ronald McDonald House…The House That Love Built. Our goal had been to collect 1,000,000 tabs. We achieved that goal in spring 2008 and delivered them to the Long Branch Ronald McDonald House. You can see the plaque they presented to Millstone Township Schools in the Primary School front foyer. We have reached our second goal of two million tabs spring of 2013.
Many people ask me, “How do the tabs help the children?” The answer is: The tabs are made of pure aluminum and can be recycled. Ronald McDonald House uses the money they receive from the recycled aluminum to help pay for the expenses of running “their home.” Ronald McDonald House welcomes families to stay with them, near a hospital, in a homelike atmosphere while their child is being treated for a serious injury or illness.
We have decided to continue this worthwhile project and try to get to our third million. Bring in all the tabs you can find to your teacher. Ask family members [grandmas and grandpas] and community members to help also. People get into a good habit of removing the tabs from cans (Children, ask an adult to help you remove the tab. It can be a bit sharp.) The deadline for submitting tabs is May 27, 2015. By the beginning of June, we will tally and/or weigh all the tabs and determine how many tabs were collected. Those tabs will be delivered to Ronald McDonald House. We may get another surprise visit from Ronald McDonald himself. The BIGGEST prize of all will be that you have helped other children and their families. You will be adding more love to …The House That Love Built.
Happy collecting. If you have any questions, feel free to ask me.
Millstone Middle School will soon be welcoming a new Assistant Principal, Mr. Paul Baker.
Baker will be leaving his current position of Director of Curriculum, Instruction and Special Services at Avon-by-the Sea to take over as Assistant Principal on February 16, 2015.
At the December 15 Board of Education meeting, Superintendent Scott Feder formally introduced Baker.
“We are thrilled to have someone of his caliber and experience. Paul is a true talent, and comes to us with high regard from his current colleagues. He is highly recommended, and our families and students will love his energy and positive attitude,” Feder said.
“We truly are very fortunate to have found someone like Paul. We welcome him with open arms.”
The current Assistant Principal Luis Ramirez will be leaving Millstone to become the Assistant Principal at North Brunswick Township High School.
MILLSTONE TOWNSHIP FOUNDATION FOR EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE AWARDS GRANTS TO MILLSTONE TOWNSHIP SCHOOLS TOTALING $13,591.40
Grant awards included a middle school book room, STEAM pro library mini lab and an interactive LEGO® wall
Millstone Township Foundation for Educational Excellence (MTFEE) awarded three grants today totaling $13,591.40 to its schools. The grant awards included a book room in the Millstone TownshipMiddle School, STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) pro library mini lab and an interactive LEGO® wall. MTFEE is a non-profit organization devoted to funding grants for items that nurture extraordinary educational experiences for every student in Millstone Township Public Schools and are beyond the scope of the general school budget.
Following is a listing of the grants and recipients:
Middle School Book Room($7,923.88) (Sara Stofik, Middle School Reading Specialist) - The grant consists of the establishment of a school-wide book room to better meet the diverse, independent reading levels of all students in grades 6-8. It will contain 2,628 fiction and nonfiction books ranging in a variety of reading levels. Language Arts teachers will be able to use the book room to supplement their classroom libraries during specific units of study. Additionally, Science and Social Studies teachers will be able to use the book room to supplement and diversify reading materials within their classrooms. As a result, students will have access to more books, which bolsters independent reading and opens the doors to new experiences, time periods and ideas through books. MTFEE awarded a grant last fall to the Elementary School to establish a book room in that building, which has been successful with its staff and students.
L to R: Principal Dr. Christopher Huss and Reading Specialist Sara Stofik
STEAM Pro Library Mini Lab ($3,697) (Jo-Ann Trifiro, Fourth Grade Teacher; Beth Topinka, Fifth Grade Teacher; Michelle Falanga, Gifted and Talented (K-8)) – Mrs. Trifiro recently received a $500 STEAM classroom grant from FirstEnergy, with which she purchased littleBits® deluxe kits for her students to get a hands-on experience learning electronics. MTFEE’s grant award will expand the possibilities of that grant and reach more students within the Elementary School. The grant consists of a littleBits®Pro Library, which is an expanding collections lab of color-coded, modular electronics that snap together magnetically. This “library” will allow elementary school students the ability to design and build their own electronic inventions using the engineering design process. This will enhance the district’s STEAM initiative and further prepare its students to actively engage in shaping the technology of the future. littleBits® Pro Library provides an extensive way to learn and prototype with electronics. The electronic modules range from the very simple—such as power sensors—to complex, wireless programmable components that promote hands-on learning and exploring. Students will also have the opportunity to utilize the district’s rapid prototyping tools, such as 3D printers and laser cutters, to create realistic prototypes.
L to R: Beth Topinka, Jo-Ann Trifiro and Michelle Falanga
Collaboration, Creativity and Learning with LEGO®s ($1,970.52) (Marian Peck, First Grade Teacher; Shannon Bell, Art Teacher (K-5)) – The grant consists of a 42’x50″ interactive LEGO® wall with over 6,000 LEGO® bricks to aid in instruction, creativity and STEAM lessons. The wall will serve as a STEAM lab for teachers and students to use, as well as an indoor recess option and lab for Gifted and Talented. Students can use these bricks in areas including math, STEAM and visual arts to plan, investigate, design, create and revise—all essential skills for problem-solving and creativity.
L to R: Sarah DelGuercio, Trustee; Dr. Amy Jacobson, Trustee; Aimee Duffy, Trustee; Marian Peck, First Grade Teacher; Nicole Pyhel, Trustee; Beth Cotler, Trustee; Jennifer Pratt, Trustee; Melissa DeRose, Trustee
Since 2002, MTFEE has awarded more than $500,260 to its schools. There are currently more than 60 MTFEE funded grant programs running in the Millstone Township School district. Every child that matriculates through the school district will in some way benefit from an MTFEE funded grant.
For more information about donating to MTFEE, becoming a trustee or its fundraising programs and events, please e-mail info@mtfee.org, visit www.mtfee.org and like us on Facebook.
The Millstone Township School District is conducting a survey regarding the accessibility and effectiveness of their Support Services.
Please fill-out the survey by February 26.
Hello Millstone Parents,
I am writing on behalf of the Support Services Action Committee asking for your assistance as part of the district’s Strategic Plan. We need to obtain data from all parents on the accessibility and effectiveness of student support services in the district. We are really hoping to get a high level of participation from our families in this survey due to the importance of the information we seek. Your input matters! Thank you for your cooperation in completing this 5 minute survey. The survey will close in two weeks, on February 26, 2015. Please click on the link below to complete the survey.
Anyone can view the school gallery online at: www.artsonia.com/schools/MillstoneTownshipPrimary1. Visitors can browse the artwork in the school gallery by grade level, or by specific exhibits. Millstone Township Primary School students join thousands of students from over 130 countries whose artwork is showcased on Artsonia. “This program is a wonderful way to get parents and family members more involved in Art Education,” said Shannon Bell.
Headquartered in Gurnee, Ill., Artsonia was established in 2000 as an online kid’s art museum providing free, educational resources for kids, families and schools to create art projects. Since its inception, Artsonia continues to integrate technology in the classroom, develop multi-cultural understanding through art and increase family involvement in children’s education. To find out more, visit www.artsonia.com.
