On August 13, a beloved Millstone Township School District teacher lost her life.

Mrs.Ellen Osborn taught thousands of students over the course of her 14 years in her Applied Technology class at the Millstone Middle School. Both of my children were students in her class. My thoughts and prayers go out to her family and friends.

There is a GoFundMe campaign right now to support her family; her husband Rick and her two young sons. GoFundMe is an internet based fund-raising site that allows individuals to directly support an individuals cause.

At this time, over $85,000 has been collected.

Click on the link below to learn more about Ellen Osborn and how you may take part in contributing to this campaign.

www.GoFundMe.com/xphnh92c

Dear Parents/Guardians:

As the school year quickly approaches, please take note of the following dates for your child’s placement.

On Thursday, August 13th, the Middle School will be sending 6th and 7th grade Advanced Math placement letters along with 8th grade Honors Language Arts placement letters.  In addition, the Middle School Parent Portal, which will provide you with your child’s complete schedule of classes and teachers, will open on Monday, August 24th.  At this time, 7th and 8th grade students will also find out their electives for the year.

On Monday, August 17th, letters will be mailed home to Elementary and Primary School Families informing them of their child’s teacher placement.

Sincerely,

Scott T. Feder
Superintendent of Schools

A MESSAGE FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT 

Dear Millstone Families,

On this Wednesday, August 19th, there will be a candlelight vigil for Mrs. Ellen Osborn. The vigil will begin at 8:00 pm and we will gather around the flag pole in front of the Middle School, where orange day lilies will be planted in her memory. Ellen’s family will be present as we honor the life of the person who chose a career in caring for and educating children.

Please join us to honor and pay respect to Ellen and her family.

Sincerely,

Scott

Welcome back!  

The PowerSchool Parent Portal for the 2015-2016 school year is now open.

Please review the steps HERE or in the attachment provided which will walk you through the Parent Account creation process. 

YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO LOG INTO POWERSCHOOL UNTIL A NEW PARENT ACCOUNT HAS BEEN CREATED!  

Click HERE to go to the PowerSchool Parent Portal.

Provided by Mrs. Patricia Hogan, President of the Upper Freehold Board of Education.

At the July 27, 2015 meeting, Millstone Township Board of Education made incorrect statements regarding Upper Freehold Regional School district’s tuition history and tuition calculation.  These comments can be found online at the 1 hour and 56 minute mark on the Youtube video for that meeting.  The following documents have been published to correct that information with facts.         ~ Patricia Hogan, President of the UFRSD Board of Education

Upper Freehold Regional School District Corrections to Misinformation Provided at the Millstone Township Board of Education Meeting, July 27, 2015

1. MISINFORMATION: Upper Freehold overcharged Millstone by $1Million a year, spent the money and paid it back over 4 years.

CORRECTION:  Upper Freehold calculates the tuition rate per state statute 6A:23A-17.1 (copy provided).

*Statute provides a cap that – at minimum – allows a 2.5% increase per year to the last certified rate, which is 2 years old.

*2010-11 – Upper Freehold lost $1,745,960.00 in state aid.  Much of that loss was taken from the high school, which changed the tuition rate from the budgeted $13,005 per pupil to the certified rate of $11,818.  The actual ADE was 28 students lower than Millstone anticipated.  Upper Freehold owed Millstone $976,037 and, per past practice of both districts allowing for a minimum of 3 years to pay back the overages, both districts entered an agreement that UF would pay this amount off in 4 years with equal installments once per year.  UF paid this off in 3 years.

*2011-12 – Upper Freehold lost reserve monies to the state after the budget was approved.  The tuition rate changed as a result of that loss from $12,481 to the certified rate of $11,769.  The actual ADE was 15 students less than Millstone anticipated. Upper Freehold owed Millstone $567,049.

2. MISINFORMATION: The high school tuition rate never goes down.

CORRECTION:  

*4 of the last 6 years Upper Freehold has budgeted a high school tuition rate lower than the year before.

*4 of the last 6 years Upper Freehold actual tuition rate is lower than the year before.

3. MISINFORMATION: Upper Freehold can raise the tuition to any price they want.

CORRECTION:  *New Jersey statute 6A:23A-17.1

4. MISINFORMATION: Upper Freehold has informed Millstone that we are definitely going to a budget vote next year.

CORRECTION:  In a partnership meeting, while discussing the tuition cap item on the send/receive contract, Patricia Hogan, UF board president, made the statement that in the coming year if UF had to go beyond the 2% cap, the budget would have to go to public vote.  That is the case with any district.  There is no way for UF to predict whether or not their budget will exceed the cap before establishing the budget.  2014/15

Upper Freehold realized over $500,000 in health care cost increases on the state’s health plan – that is more than what a 2% tax levy would cover.  Yet, our General Fund Expenditures (the amount of money budgeted for spending in that year) was less than 1.5% higher than the year before.

5. MISINFORMATION: If we can do it, Upper Freehold can do it (with regard to staying within the 2% cap).

CORRECTION:  If the comparison was “apples to apples” and Upper Freehold was receiving $16,752 per pupil (Millstone’s K-8 revised per pupil cost for 2014/15), instead of $13,740 per pupil (Upper Freehold’s K-12 revised per pupil cost for 2014/15) we absolutely would stay under the 2% cap.   Note:  A high school costs 13-17% more than an elementary and middle school to run.

Upper Freehold would be happy to host a joint board retreat to give a detailed explanation of the tuition history and calculation at Millstone Board members’ convenience.

Allentown High School tuition for Millstone students is what it actually costs to educate the high school students.  They are specifically tied to high school expenditures, not the Upper Freehold tax levy.  These numbers are audited and certified by the County.

The Millstone board and it’s leadership used terms such as “fiscally irresponsible” and “they have to make hard choices” and “pilfering from or shackling our K-8 program” regarding Upper Freehold’s budget planning and the high school tuition calculation.  Upper Freehold is responsible for a K-8 program as well that is EQUALLY as critically affected by budget increases or decreases.  Both district budget histories are easy to retrieve from the district’s websites.

On November 3, six candidates are seeking to fill the three seats available on the Millstone Township Board of Education.

The current Board of Education members currently serving in these seats are Dr. Amy Jacobson, Ramon Recalde and Neil Schloss.

Mr. Schloss is not seeking re-election.

The candidates seeking the three-year terms are Dr. Jacobson, Ramon Recalde, Tabitha Zuleika Fudge, Billy Hanson, Nicole Pyhel and Dr. John Sico Jr.

All six candidates were asked the questions below for publication. One candidate, Tabitha Zuleika Fudge, did not respond to the requests.

To register to vote in the November 3 General Election,  voter registration must be completed by next Tuesday, October 13.

Download the New Jersey voter registration application

Meet the 2015 Millstone Township Board of Education candidates below.

Dr. Amy S. Jacobson

I have lived in Millstone for 13 years with my husband Michael Normand.  I have 4 children who all attend or attended Millstone and UFRSD schools.  Arthur Normand 18 – UMass Amherst, Emily – Junior AHS, Jacob – 6th grade, Gavin – 4th grade.

I have represented the interests of the students and taxpayers of Millstone Township by serving as a member of the Millstone Board of Education for the past 6.5 years.  During that time I also attended meetings and served on various committees as the Millstone representative for the Upper Freehold Regional School District as well as participated in both district’s Strategic Planning Initiatives. I am running for another term because I feel strongly in giving back to the community and advocating for the students and taxpayers of our town by helping to support the growth and development of rigorous academic programming that will not only help our students succeed in a 21^st century global economy, but also benefit the taxpayers by increasing home values.

I feel that the characteristics of a good board member include striving to represent the interests of ALL students and being dedicated and knowledgeable.  I also believe that a board of education member must be open minded and possess the character traits of respect and common decency as well as exhibit positive pro-social behavior and civility to others at all times by modeling self-control.  It is also important that a board of education member be immersed in the community which they represent. They must be in touch with the constituents and considerate and attentive to their opinions and concerns.

I have strived to achieve goals by working together with those who are open to putting the needs and interests of children first and making decisions based on what is best for students in terms of both their academic and emotional well being and development.  I advocate strongly on behalf of the interests of the students and taxpayers of the district in all matters, despite resistance.  I am also extremely dedicated to academic achievement and providing a variety of educational opportunities for students of all abilities, as evidenced by my commitment to the programming improvements that have been achieved at both Millstone and Allentown High School during my tenure on the Board.

You should vote for me because for the past 6.5 years I have dedicated myself to fighting for the rights of our students to get the very best educational opportunities available while also being fiscally responsible to the taxpayers by improving the academic and character education programming offered to our students K-12.  I believe that we have amazing teachers who are dedicated and eager to instill life-long learning in our children and who care deeply about those who they serve.  By continuing to build upon the foundation we have built, I believe that we can improve the quality of life for all taxpayers by creating a system of K-12 education that will enhance property values and invest in our greatest resource for a sustainable future – our children!

Ramon Recalde

Number of years living in Millstone Township:  14+

Why are you interested in being a Millstone Township Board of Education member?

I am paying it forward. Our four children have benefited from a great education here in Millstone. But being grateful is not enough, for over 10 years I have actively invested myself for the betterment of our Millstone School District.  I have a record: I have always supported the great decisions and challenged the wrong ones, even at the expense of being admonished and pounced against; always presenting positive criticism, researching and suggesting alternatives for our district challenges.

What characteristics do you feel are important for serving as a member of the Board of Education?

The most important, PASSION and the real belief that there is always room for improvement. The ability to speak out, question and disagree when needed. BOE members should not be there to rubber stamp what is presented to them. The utmost loyalty of the BOE member must rest primarily with the wellbeing of the students, with their education and their safety; but all those achievable goals must always intersect responsibly with the financial burden BOE decisions have on the tax payers of our community. A BOE member should have a good grasp and understanding of educational issues, budgeting and fiduciary responsibility.

Which of the above characteristics do you have?

I am quite proud of all of them, but my PASSION on the sincere believe that our district can always be better, can always improve and continuously strive for excellence in education; but and education that goes beyond the math, the reading, the sciences: I believe our children face challenges that no other generations before have faced; ALL our students must also be well-rounded and taught ethics, civic responsibility, love and respect of country and neighbor.  These goals and directives must derive from a BOE that represents and respects the wishes of our community; implementing the administration with the right staff and infrastructure for our children to succeed. Without passion and conviction, everything will become stagnant and eventually fail.

Why should I vote for you?

My record and passion are a testament of my commitment to ALL our children, voters and tax payers. Our country is staking its future on a well-rounded STEM / STEAM education. Here in Millstone, our district is aggressively moving in that direction with significant changes ahead of us. A successful outcome will depend on our BOE to provide the administration and all students with the proper tools and staff. These steps will most definitely face bumps on the road in the areas of curriculum, technology, assessment, transportation and budgeting.  Next to our educational goals, our most crucial challenges rest with the inevitable decrease of student population and hard decisions pertaining to infrastructure sustainability and needed capital improvements; these, while balancing the ongoing pedagogic improvements and goals set forward by our BOE, with the frugal, disciplined use of our tax dollars.

Billy Hanson

Number of years living in Millstone Township: 

My family and I have had the pleasure of being members of the Millstone community for the past twelve years.

Why are you interested in being a Millstone Township Board of Education member?

As a CPA, my financial background has served me well in my career as CEO of an office equipment dealership in NY.  I have used this experience over the past nine years to represent Millstone families as a commissioner of the Millstone Township Recreation committee.  Currently, as Vice President of the recreation commission, myself and the other board members, are charged with ensuring that all children are afforded the opportunity to participate in any sport, no matter the skill level of the child, while simultaneously running the programs revenue neutral, so as to have no financial impact to the Millstone taxpayer.

It is with this experience and mindset that I am set to face a new challenge as a member of the Millstone Township Board of Education.  Currently, my wife Lori and I have two daughters attending the Millstone Middle School in grades 6 and 7.  We have been pleased with the quality of education they have received as well as the depth of available resources. The current board and administrative leadership of the Millstone schools have focused upon fiscal responsibility and an environment of openness with Millstone families.  I support these concepts because they are of great importance to the community represented by the board and to me as a taxpaying parent of Millstone students.

Nicole Costanzo Pyhel

Number of years living in Millstone Township:

I have been a resident of Millstone Township for 15 years.

I reside here with my husband, Brian, and two children Brett and Avery, who are in eighth grade and fifth grade.

Why are you interested in being a Millstone Township Board of Education member?

I believe education is the key to success and opportunity. I have dedicated the past five years to enhancing it for Millstone Township students, as a Millstone Township Foundation for Educational Excellence (MTFEE) trustee; and for the past four years as its president. In this volunteer role, I have seen first hand the positive impact quality education makes on students, which inspires me to want to do more. Being a member of the board of education will enable me to continue my service and passion for providing Millstone Township students with a superior education, while maintaining fiscal responsibility.

What characteristics do you feel are important for serving as a member of the Board of Education?

Fiscal responsibility; strong relationships with district staff; willingness to devote time and energy; courage to stand up for your convictions; genuine enthusiasm and interest in education; ability to effectively communicate, lead and work with a team; as well as the ability to make decisions, that are based on knowledge and research.

Which of the above characteristics do you have?

I believe I have all of those characteristics. Throughout my career and as a volunteer, I have a proven track record of results. Working together with the MTFEE trustees, I developed a strategic plan, rebranded the foundation and implemented a marketing campaign to raise awareness and donations. Under my leadership, the foundation has granted more than $85K to Millstone Township Schools. My professional experience is in marketing communications. I’ve been a consultant and worked for companies, including Dow Jones, where I served as the communications director. During the district’s recent strategic planning process, I was a member of the steering committee and worked with district staff on the plan. I shared my knowledge in communications and education, as well as became well informed on the future educational plans for the district.

Why should I vote for you?

I believe I possess the qualities needed to be a successful board of education member and have the results to back it up. I am not a person who just “talks the talk.” I “walk the walk.” I have a genuine interest in Millstone Township education, as evidenced by my five years of service as a MTFEE trustee and involvement in the district’s future plans.

Dr. John Sico Jr.

Number of years living in Millstone Township: 

My wife and I moved to Millstone Township over five years ago.

Why are you interested in being a Millstone Township Board of Education member?

I care about the Millstone School District.  I have five grandchildren attending our schools and three more in the near future.  I know I can help enrich their future and the future of your children.  I have the knowledge of curriculum and I understand fiduciary responsibilities to help set policy that is in the best interest of the student and the taxpayer.

What characteristics do you feel are important for serving as a member of the Board of Education?

The research is clear on this issue. I feel the following characteristics are very important for all Board members. A Board member must:

• Commit to a vision of high expectations for student achievement and quality instruction and define clear goals toward that vision.
• Be accountability driven, spending less time on operational issues and more time focused on policies to improve student achievement for all students as no two students learn alike.
• Have a collaborative relationship with staff and the community and establish a strong communications structure to inform and engage both internal and external stakeholders in setting and achieving district goals.
• Be data savvy. The Board member must embrace and monitor data and use it to drive continuous improvement.
• Support board decisions.
• Offer opinions honestly and in a constructive way and to respect the opinions of others.
• Understand legal and fiduciary responsibilities.
• Clearly understand her/his responsibilities.
• Willing to actively serve on at least one committee.
• Come to meetings on time, well prepared and actively participate.
• Have expertise in areas necessary to assist the board and the school district.

Which of the above characteristics do you have?

I have practiced all of the above in my career both as an educator and as a Board of Trustee member/ Vice President for Passaic County Community College. In my 46 year career I have always put the student first. I have always worked within the budget and made common sense and at times, some tough decisions to benefit both the students and the taxpayers. The Board sets policy. The Superintendent implements the policy. Educators must always remember that they work for the taxpayer. There will be times that Board members will disagree and that is healthy. But once a decision is made all Board members must support the Board’s decision. As a Board member I would work to make sure that all staff has the tools and the appropriate staff development opportunities to be the best that he/she can be.

Why should I vote for you?

During my career, I was inducted into the Paterson Eastside High School Hall of Fame for outstanding educators.  I was also honored at M.I.T. by Houghton Mifflin Co. as one of the top math educators in the country.  I have written or co-authored over 20 mathematics workbooks ranging from grade 3 up to college/university.  I was privileged to serve as a Board of Trustee Member/ Vice President at Passaic County Community College.  I was honored to be chosen to serve as a committee member by the Department of Education in Washington DC, to work on “How to improve the teaching of math and science.”  I was also a panelist at Fordham University, on “How to be an effective administrator,” and panelist at the NJ Department of Labor, along with the Vice- President of Motorola Corporation on “How to establish effective School to Work partnerships.”

In conclusion, I have the expertise and the experience necessary to work with all Board members and staff to do what is in the best interests of all students and taxpayers.

Working together we will make a difference.

300+ Participants Came Out to the Middle School, located at 5 Dawson Court to Support the Millstone Township PTO & PTSA’s first ever Color-a-Thon!  

It was a cloud of color at the Millstone Township Middle School on Sunday, October 18, 2015 as more than 300 participants came out to support the Millstone Township PTO/PTSA’s first ever Color-a-Thon!  “The event showcased a really nice feeling of community as so many students, teachers, friends and families in the area ran together with smiles on their faces, having a great time, in spite of the frigid 30-degree temperature,” said Event Chairperson Christina Baldino.

Prior to the race, a Zumba instructor from Club Metro in Freehold warmed up the crowd.  Then the 300 plus participants lined up under a giant inflatable archway as they got ready to take off and race through a 2.5 mile terrain that was mapped out by Mr. Joseph Muni, the Middle School Athletic Director.  The scenic race route through the woods is also used by the Middle School cross county teams.  But Sunday, it had 9 colorful stations along the trail where walkers and runners got color-blasted as they passed through each color zone in safe, eco-friendly, plant based powdered dye.  “It was an event I will remember forever,” said Dr. John Sico who served as one of the color blasters at the event.   “I loved watching my grandkids and their friends running through with smiles on their faces,” said Sico.   There was also a shorter course offered to junior runners, families with small children as well as parents with strollers.  This event promoted exercise, healthy living and family fun with different price points.  The long race was $30.00 and the short course was just $15.00.  After the race, participants jammed out to music at our After Blast Color Party!  The crowd helped countdown to when everyone ripped open their color packets to share a blast of color with family, friends and everyone around. 

Several teachers from the District came out bright and early that cold Sunday morning to either volunteer or run alongside their students, families, friends and members of the community.  “It really adds an extra special element when students see their teachers out there supporting special events like the Color-a-Thon, I know my daughter as well as her classmates were so thrilled to see their kindergarten teacher Mrs. Miller there,” said Baldino.  Other teachers who came to help out and show their support were Middle School Assistant Principal Mr. Baker and Teachers Mr. Miller, Mrs. Hansen, Mr. Muni, Mrs. Nixon, Mr. Nixon, Mr. D’Aniello, Mrs. Joyce, Mrs. Rosetto, Mrs. Olah, Mrs. Dunk and Mrs. Trifiro.  Art teacher Mrs. Bell who could not attend, made a large color backdrop for the event which we plan to use year after year.  “It was so nice to see the range of people who came out in support of this event. It goes to show what a community and school district like ours is capable of when we work together,” said PTSA Co-President Kristen Saker.

We would also like to thank our Super-Star Event sponsors who continue to give back to our school kids, Saker ShopRites, Baldino Dental Arts, Alexander’s Beverage Company and Cobra Power Systems.  There was also a food truck at the event and several local vendors.  The Color-a-Thon committee included Event Chairperson Christina Baldino, PTO President Natalie Biello, PTSA Co-Presidents Kristen Saker and Michele Stillwell, as well as PTSA members Jody Dona and Lisa Timberlake.

“Our team worked for the past five months on this event, and I couldn’t have asked for a more productive or generous team,” said Baldino. “We are all moms and volunteers working towards the same goal, trying to create memories for our children while raising money to go back towards their education.” All of the proceeds from the event will go directly to the students in grades PreK-8 of the Millstone Township School District.  While our official tally is not complete, we estimate the event raised more than $15,000.  The PTO/PTSA plans to make this an annual event.

A MESSAGE FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT

After an extensive interview process with a full committee (with representation from parents, BOE, staff and administration), potential candidates went through a rigorous process with multiple interviews, tasks and a site visit. I could not be happier to share that one candidate truly stood out. I am excited to announce our new Elementary School Principal, Ms. Suzanne Guidry! Ms. Guidry has been the Assistant Principal at the Pond Road 4th-8th Elementary/Middle School in Robbinsville for the last four years and has been in the educational setting since 2003. Ms. Guidry comes with a wealth of knowledge in curriculum and instruction, as well as excellent interpersonal skills. Suzanne was appointed by the Board of Education last Monday and her official start date is January 1st.

What is happening between now and January 1st?

Steve Wisniewski will be with us through the end of November and will be able to introduce Suzanne to various areas of the school district over this next month.

Ms. Guidry will be attending the Family Movie Day on November 15th, as well as a more formal meet and greet with the PTO on November 17th at 6:30 PM at the Primary School Library. Ms. Guidry will also be visible in the schools as much as able in the months of November and December.

In the interim, Scott Hobson will be housed primarily at the ES during the month of December and there will be plenty of additional support from Central Office Personnel as well during that time.

So, in other words, our Elementary School family is in good hands!

As always, feel free to reach out with any questions or thoughts. We hope to see you at one or both of these important events.

MILLSTONE TOWNSHIP FOUNDATION FOR EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE TO HOST FIFTH ANNUAL “FAMILY MOVIE DAY” NOVEMBER 15

 “Inside Out” is Most Popular Movie Choice Among Millstone Township Students

Millstone Township Foundation for Educational Excellence (MTFEE) will be hosting its fifth annual “Family Movie Day” on November 15 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, “Inside Out^®,” 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. Children under 3 years old are free. 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 polled them during school lunches on several popular family-friendly movies. The winning movie was “Inside Out.” It is a PG-rated, computer animated, adventure comedy film starring the voices of Amy Poehler, Diane Lane, Kyle MacLachlan, Kaitlyn Dias, John Ratzenberger, Paula Poundstone and Rashida Jones. The film tells the story of a happy, hockey-loving 11-year oldMidwestern girl named Riley. Her world turns upside-down when she and her parents move to San Francisco. Riley’s emotions try to guide her through this difficult, life-changing event. However, the stress of the move brings Sadness to the forefront. When Joy and Sadness are inadvertently swept into the far reaches of Riley’s mind, the only emotions left in Headquarters are Anger, Fear and Disgust.

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 $515,500 in grants to Millstone Township schools since 2002. MTFEE grants, which have been awarded at every grade level and in every discipline, have included STEAM enrichment programs, book rooms, fitness equipment, 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).

“You are not forgotten”

These powerful words are proudly displayed on the POWMIA flag and proudly repeated by the Millstone Township sixth grade students.

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.

In 1999, Barry 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 from the Veterans of the Vietnam War Inc and the Veterans Coalition New Jersey Post 03  have been teaching this interactive program to Millstone students for the past several years. This year, Millstone Township veteran Ray Dothard also played an active role in the presentation.

In the first assembly, students were asked to speak to their parents and trace their military family tree. Mr. Rosenzweig also taught the students about the symbolism and meaning behind the flag. He then asked students to share this insight with their parents and family.

Mr. Rosenzweig described the black and white colors which signify that this is a black and white situation having no gray area.  Soldiers are missing and have never returned. He described the silhouette of a US soldier with a watchtower in the background representing Vietnamese soldiers watching over him. Mr. Rosenzweig spoke of the barbed wire surrounding the camp and how the soldier is being held against his will. He described the incomplete laurel wreath representing the tradition of the ancient Greeks heroes returning from war wearing wreaths on their heads. Mr. 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 person missing in action.

At the second assembly, three exceptional letters were chosen to be read.  Letters written by students Antonio Aprile, Michael Doran and Lana Maizel are highlighted below.

Students were asked to bring in items that recognized their military family tree. They proudly and enthusiastically shared  their show n’tell items with their fellow classmates.

If you are fortunate enough to know a Millstone sixth grader, ask them to teach YOU about what they learned!

MILLSTONE TOWNSHIP FOUNDATION FOR EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE RAISED MORE THAN $3,100 AT ITS FIFTH ANNUAL “FAMILY MOVIE DAY”

Millstone Township Foundation for Educational Excellence (MTFEE) raised more than $3,100 from its Fifth Annual “Family Movie Day” held on November 15 at the Millstone Township Performing Arts Center (MPAC). Proceeds will help provide grant funding for innovative 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 to enrich education for the district’s public school students.

The event opened with an hour and a half of children’s activities including minute-to-win-it games with prizes, face painting, crafts and temporary tattoos. The activities were followed by a screening of “Inside Out”—a movie that won a school township wide student vote.

The following served as sponsors:

• Event Sponsor –Saker ShopRites, Inc.
• Concession Sponsors – The Baldino Family; Cobra Power Systems Inc.; The Dorfman Family; Neil Slattery Plumbing Heating and Cooling; and The Stillwell Family
• Movie Sponsors – Ace Home Improvements; Admiral Water; Carpets to Go; The DeRose Family; Dunkin Donuts & Baskin Robbins (Howell); LearningRx Marlboro; Precision Tech Home Services; and South Brunswick Animal Hospital, Dr. Douglas Cotler DVM
• General Sponsors – Caravaglio Self Defense & Fitness Training; The Cotler Family; The Kuhns Family; The Griggs Family; The Pratt Family; The Pyhel Family; Joseph R. Raccuglia, MD Family Medicine; and The Sikkema Family

Additionally, Vesuvio’s Pizzeria & Family Restaurant donated 10 percent of each dine-in check that week and then matched that amount, for a total donation of $300. The Cotler Family and The Schloss Family donated the craft items for the pre-event activities.

The foundation also collected non-perishable food items and ShopRite gift cards that day 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 $515,500 in grants to Millstone Township schools since 2002. MTFEE grants, which have been awarded at every grade level and in every discipline, have included STEAM enrichment programs, book rooms, fitness equipment, 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).

Hello Millstone,

Keeping this email short and sweet.  Safety is always going to be the priority and with the so much snow and with the freeze over expected this evening, along with the fact that just about every town surrounding Millstone has already closed including Upper Freehold and Allentown High School, the Millstone Township Schools will be CLOSED for Monday, January 25th.  

The Board of Education Meeting is also Cancelled.  Sorry to all of our Student Recognition Honorees, but we will reschedule.

Please be safe everyone and wish I could take credit for this one, but check out this amazing snow day video.  

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=YnIRfvFLiWQ&feature=player_embedded

This is Scott Feder signing off on this important weather emergency update.

UPDATE: Plumsted, Millstone, Allentown, Upper Freehold, Roosevelt CLOSED 2/5/16

Friday, February 5, 2016

Dear Millstone Families,

I am reaching out in follow up to today’s school delay and closing. Certainly this particular winter weather event was not an easy one to manage. More often than not, the decision to close or delay is a little more cut and dry, but this one had all of the elements of a conundrum.

If you were awake and looking out your window this morning, you probably saw exactly what I saw (while watching intently in hopes of a break in the action), that the snow was coming down at quite a clip at 5:00am but began to subside at around 7:20am. At that time, we were still hoping for a continued decline and that the 2-hour delay would hold up. But sometime around 7:45, Lexi (the given name of this weather event) decided that Millstone was such a nice place to visit, that she did not want to leave. So she planted herself smack over Millstone and started to grow in strength again.

Right around the time the storm started to increase in strength, we also lost power at the Elementary and Primary Schools. This was confirmed right around 8:00am and was the final sign that a delay was just a tease. As an aside, shortly after the decision to close was made, power was lost at the Middle School. Subsequently, I have learned that there are road closures, down branches and the overall condition of the community was simply not conducive to those giant yellow buses sliding around with 54 little munchkins (sorry middle schoolers, I know you are bigger than little munchkins, but for the purpose of this letter, I liked the imagery) along for the ride.

The hiccup in all of this is of course that we have many Millstone high school students that begin in their schools a good hour before our Middle School and with vocational and private high school programs all over Central Jersey, those bus routes start even earlier. The good news is that we caught “almost” all of the buses prior to them picking up students, but in a few instances, some of our children were on buses and needed to be brought back to their homes. I sincerely apologize to these children for not making the call sooner. My apologies also go out to any child who got themselves all ready for school and could have slept in. The bottom line is that our true goal was to get the day of school in and by the time it was absolutely clear that this would not be in the cards, it was a little later than I would have liked.

The good and most important news is that our children are safe and not sitting in schools with no power (still not back as of 10:25am) and driving on potentially problematic roads. Again, I wish I would have made the decision about 30 minutes sooner, but in the end, it feels good knowing our kids and families are safe and have the opportunity to take this absolutely perfect snowman-making snow and put it to the test. So build away and take advantage of this day off!

Thank you all for your patience, and as I mentioned in an earlier communication, your tolerance in what is always a stressful and challenging situation for our families. Be well and have a wonderful weekend.

This is Scott Feder for what I believe is the final sign off on the weather event affectionately known as Lexi!