Serving the Communities of Whippany and Cedar Knolls, NJ

Our Schools

Ex

cell

en

ce i

n

HA

NO

VE

R T

OW

NS

HIP

PU

BL

IC S

CH

OO

LS

Volume 5, Issue 2

March 2011

Pictured on the Cover (clockwise from the top): 1. Memorial Junior School’s 2010 Lady Vikings Soccer Team

won the Group II County Championship of the Greater Morris County Junior School Coaches Association Girls’ Soccer Tournament. They defeated Pingry in the county finals in overtime by a score of 2-1. The winning team was coached by head coach Mrs. Jennifer Kozyra and volun-teer assistant coach Mr. Bruce Shirvanian. They were rec-ognized at the December 14th Board of Education meeting.

2. Two members of the Jenkinson's Aquarium in Point Pleas-ant brought a South African penguin to Bee Meadow School and shared information about the animal, its habi-tat, difference between a cold climate penguin and their South African one, etc. The kids really enjoyed this PTA sponsored assembly in November and it was definitely a more unique presentation.

3. Paula Duer, fifth grade teacher at Salem Drive School, was announced as a “Teacher Who Rocks” on March 11th on 105.5 WDHA radio. She was nominated by one of her former student teachers, Lisa Didow. They are both invited to a banquet dinner on March 22nd at Ravello’s in East Hanover, where Mrs. Duer will be recognized in front of other winning teachers, the NJEA, and the WDHA crew for her many accomplishments.

4. Memorial Junior School math/science teacher Brenda Talbert’s dream of traveling to the Galapagos Islands be-

Spring has sprung, or at least I hope it has, by the time you read this latest edition of the "Excellence in Our Schools" newsletter. The winter sea-son just seemed to linger a little longer than usual this year but, as you can see in this newsletter, it didn't deter the teachers and students from the pursuit of excellence. Throughout this edition of the "Excellence in Our Schools" newsletter, there are examples of students engaging their minds, bodies, and hearts through a variety of educational programs, activities, and experiences. Student interest and enthusiasm for learning, combined with parent and community involvement, inspire all of us to aim for "Excellence in Our Schools." Thank you for your ongoing support of our schools. Scott R. Pepper, Superintendent of Schools Editor: Donna Majdosz, Executive Assistant to the Superintendent

Page 2

Student and Staff Activities, Accomplishments and Recognitions

A Message From the Superintendent

EXCELLENCE I N OUR SC HOOLS

came a reality in November. In the spring she applied for the 2010 Toyota International Teacher Program to the Galapagos Islands, and in July Mrs. Talbert was selected as one of 24 teachers (out of 851 applicants) to participate in the trip. Her adventures included many close encoun-ters with exotic wildlife. She swam with penguins, sharks, baby sea lions, and sea turtles. The giant tortoise is one of the great attractions of the Islands.

5. While in the Galapagos Islands, Mrs. Talbert taught les-sons on global awareness to the students in various schools there. She gave a presenta-tion about her trip at the Feb-ruary 22nd Board of Educa-tion meet-ing.

Fourth grade students at Mountview Road School learned about a little known military tradition that helped them understand the true meaning of Veterans Day. The book, "America's White Table" described the significance of each item placed on a table set for dinner. The book and table setting helped the students to appreciate the sacrifices that each member of America’s armed services makes to keep our country free and safe.

As part of the Caring and Sharing program at Memorial Junior School in December, the band performed some holiday music for the children of Collinsville School in Morristown. Afterwards they presented the children with gifts. The Hanover Township Public Schools buses transported the children to and from Morristown.

Salem Drive School raised $4,548 for the American Heart Association during Jump Rope for Heart. Above is a photo of two students after signing the Jump Rope for Heart T-shirts.

VOLUME 5, ISSUE 2

Memorial Junior School received a donation of $2000 from 3M Corporation, to fund the Math/Science Club ($1200), and the Technology Club ($800).

Memorial Junior School received a $4500 grant from the Hanover Township Substance Awareness Committee to fund Ryan’s Story (anti-bullying) Assembly ($2500), the Viking Pride Program ($1000), and a Banner and T-shirts for Charac-ter Education ($1000).

The Hanover Township Substance Awareness Committee has donated $600 to provide an educational program, titled “Even Small Crayons Make Bright Marks” by Dr. Michael Fowlin (a.k.a. Mykee), for our elementary school students. The program will address anti-bullying and personal choice issues and will be held on April 13th at Memorial Junior School.

The second “Faculty & Friends Concert” (formerly the “Concert for Kathy”), an evening of music featuring Hanover Township music faculty and friends, was held on February 8th at Memorial Junior School. This concert raised $2,007 for the Kathryn Moser Music Endowment Fund. Funds from this endowment help provide instruments for student use, and pur-chase specialized music and supplies.

Page 3

Student and Staff Activities, Accomplishments and Recognitions

Students at Mountview Road School learn about the lives of the Japanese people before and after the recent devastating earthquake and tsunami. Fourth grade teacher Mrs. Linda Kerins speaks about her 2006 trip to Tokyo and Kesennuma as part of the Japan Fullbright Memorial Fund, and shares artwork by students at Shishiori Elementary School and a giant scrapbook of her trip. Kesennuma is a large fishing community which was especially hard hit by the tsunami. The Student Council is holding a fundraiser to help the people of Japan.

Salem Drive School safety patrol members are fifth graders nominated by their teacher. They work on a rotating schedule with various responsibilities during morning arrival, lunch/recess, and dismissal. They uphold school rules and provide appropriate guid-ance to the younger students.

Eighth graders and special guest, Mr. Fred Heyman, a Holocaust survivor, took “The Holo-caust Remembrance Journey” to Washington DC, sponsored by the Morris Rubell Foundation. Here they are at the entrance to Daniel’s Story Exhibit, which tells the story of the Holocaust through the eyes of a child.

Mrs. Brozyna’s and Mrs. Kerins’s fourth graders at Salem Drive and Mountview Road schools performed fables and folktales for each other in a Reader’s Theater forum via Skype. At the conclusion of each performance, the students in the performing class challenged the viewing class to guess the moral of the story. After a brief dialog, the performers displayed student-made banners revealing the lesson to be learned.

Second grade students at Mountview Road School participated in their first Continental Math Meet of the year. Many of our second, third, fourth and fifth graders have the opportu-nity to participate in this fun math activity. They are given 6 challenge problems and 30 minutes to solve. The top scoring students are awarded a certificate and are congratulated by Mrs Marks over the morning announcements.

Page 4 EXCELLENCE I N OUR SC HOOLS

Student and Staff Activities, Accomplishments and Recognitions

Salem Drive School’s annual student/parent student council basketball game was a big success. Over 100 students from Grades 3, 4, and 5 played against their parents and staff.

Mountview Road School had their annual International Fes-tival on January 28th. Fifth grade students and their families were invited to have a gourmet lunch, as a culminating activ-ity that celebrates the different backgrounds and nationalities of the students. The cooking and baking was done by the families. A great time was had by all.

Salem Drive School’s 4th and 5th graders began Fuel up to Play 60, a school-based nutrition and fitness initiative de-signed by The National Dairy Council and the National Football League—in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, that gets students involved in creating a healthier school environment promoting student health, learning and achievement. Students pledge to choose more nutritious foods, (including low-fat and fat-free dairy foods, fruits, vegetables and whole grains), get 60 minutes of physi-cal activity every day, and encourage their friends, family and school to join them, and have fun, too.

Memorial Junior School Student Council collected 1,745 pounds of food for the Interfaith Food Pantry during their holiday food drive.

Michael Fried.

Bee Meadow School Student Council raised $3004.21 for the PENNIES FOR PATIENTS program of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Salem Drive School Student Council organized a “Pajama Day”, a fun event to further foster school spirit and unity

during which students and staff wore their pajamas to school.

Fourth graders at Bee Meadow School were treated to an assembly by the New Jersey Bar-racks. Each of the visitors shared information about a segment of colonial life (military doc-tor, militiaman and women) with the students. A student becomes an apprentice of Dr. Bob.

Bee Meadow students participated in Jump Rope for Heart to raise money for the Ameri-can Heart Association. This is the sixth year that BMS has partici-pated in this worth-while fund raiser un-der the sponsorship of Mrs. Ward, school nurse, and Mr. Simek, physical education teacher. This year to date more than $3000 has been raised.

District third graders enjoyed a performance of the String ensemble of the New Philhar-monic Orchestra at Memorial Junior School. This was one of the four sectional perform-ances that they saw in preparation for selecting instruments next year.

Bee Meadow School pajama clad students celebrated a combined "Read Across Amer-ica" and the Student Council sponsored "Pajama Day" on Friday, March 4th .

Mrs. Gibbons’ fifth grade physical education class at Salem Drive School built a coopera-tive pyramid in the gymnastics unit bridge ups, handstands and stunt lifts.

Page 5 VOLUME 5, ISSUE 2

Meet Our Excellent New Staff Dana Frey is the long term sub-stitute first grade teacher at Salem Drive School. Ms. Frey received her degree in Psychol-ogy from Fairfield University and a teaching certificate from the College of Saint Elizabeth. Prior to joining the

Salem Drive community, Ms. Frey worked as a first grade teacher at the Clinton Public School and as a kindergarten teacher at the Mendham Township Elementary School. In her spare time she enjoys painting, skiing, running, and spending time with her family. Most of all, Ms. Frey loves to learn and hopes more than ever that she can encourage her students to be as excited about learning as she's always been.

Colleen Downey is the long term substitute first grade teacher at Mountview Road School. Mrs. Downey graduated from the University of Delaware with a degree in Elemen-tary Education. She previously worked in Lincoln Park as a second and third grade teacher. Mrs. Downey resides in Whippany and en-joys spending time

with her husband and 3 children. She enjoys running and traveling in her free time.

Robert Decker is the new night custodian at Me-morial Junior School. He has experience in carpentry and maintenance.

Mona Zipeto is the new Special Education Aide in the self-contained class for chil-dren with Au-tism Spectrum Disorders at Bee Meadow School.

Michael Fried is one of

the a night custodians at Mountview Road School. He has many years of cus-todial experience, most recently at Montville Township Public Schools.

John Voorhees is one of a new night custodians at Mountview Road School. He comes to Hanover Township with over 20 years of school custodial experience, most recently at Morris Plains Borough.

Antonio Alberto is the new day custodian at Bee Meadow School. He has over 20 years of custodial experience from

Bridge-water-Raritan Re-gional School Dis-trict.

Board of Education

Michael Alwell, President Brian Cahill, Vice President Salvatore Azzarello Nicholas Duva Stephen Furda Thomas “Ace” Gallagher Brandie Linfante Anthony Scarpino Catherine Slattery

“A Community That Inspires Excellence” Support Hanover Township Public Schools

Hanover Township Public Schools Administrative Offices 61 Highland Avenue

Whippany, NJ 07981 Phone: 973-515-2400 Fax: 973-540-1023

www.hanovertwpschools.com

Administration

Scott R. Pepper, Superintendent of Schools Michele R. Keenan, Asst. Supt. for Curriculum and Staff Development Vanessa Wolsky, School Business Administrator/Board Secretary Gregory Margolis, Supervisor of Special Education Gary Murphy, Interim Principal, Bee Meadow School Thea Spina, Principal, Mountview Road School Roberto Camean, Principal, Salem Drive School Michael Wasko, Principal, Memorial Junior School Darrin Stark, Assistant Principal, Memorial Junior School

As part of Salem Drive School’s PTA Read-A-Thon, the winner of the “Mystery Reader” contest is pictured with Mr. Camean. The “Mystery Reader” contest entailed three school-wide readings (3 teacher volunteers) over the intercom on three separate days. Students had an opportunity to guess who the reader was. All correct guesses were put in a box for a grand prize drawing that was held at the end of the two-week long PTA Read-A-Thon.

Bee Meadow School fifth graders count Box Tops for Education for their Student Council fundraiser. They raised $399.10.

Salem Drive School’s top fundraisers for Jump Rope for Heart pictured with school nurse, Wendy Busby.

Memorial Junior School staff and students who attended the trip to the Holocaust Museum in Washington DC, seated on the steps to the Lincoln Memorial at the historic spot where Dr. Martin Luther King made his historic "I have a dream" speech.

Student and Staff Activities, Accomplishments and Recognitions