Superintendent Newsletter
Happy Holidays!
The Barnegat Schools Have So Much to be Thankful For
Here in Barnegat, we have so much to be thankful for. This newsletter will highlight the accomplishments of individual students as well as groups of students. I recognize that these accomplishments happen when wonderful things are happening in school, like teachers and coaches going the extra mile to support students partnered with parents who want the very best for their children. I hope you take as much pride as I do in the following accomplishments that continue to make Barnegat shine.
Last month we celebrated 7th grader, Sarah Grenz. She finished in
the top 33 of the 2017 Mahatma Gandhi Art & Writing Contest last spring/early
summer. Sarah was invited to a ceremony on Sunday October 8th at Princeton
University where not only were the top 33 recognized, but the top 3 received an
additional award; Sarah placed 2nd! We are extremely impressed and proud of her!
The Barnegat Marching Bengals just completed one of the greatest seasons in
school history. The band has come in 1st place in 4 of the 5 competitions it has
competed in and has watched its score steadily rise each competition. In the 4
competitions where they took first place, they also had the highest music scores and
visual scores. The auxiliary (color guard) has come in first place at 3 of the 4
competitions, which featured an auxiliary judge, and the percussion section has won
best percussion twice during the season. This season the Marching Bengals competed at Southern Regional High School where they were awarded Grand Champion for having the highest score in the entire competition. At NJ State Championships the Marching Bengals came in second place out of 49 bands in their classification and won best visual effect at Championships. They routinely came in first in second in competition and often won best visual and guard. Thanks to our hard working music, drill, percussion and guard instructors as well as the many band parents who support our music program.
The Navy JROTC has conducted several Color Guard events beginning in October. They have conducted the following Color Guards: Homecoming PEP rally
October 27th, concession stand ribbon cutting ceremony October 27th, Homecoming
Football game October 27th, Veterans day celebration at Brackman middle school on
November 3rd, Veterans day celebration in downtown Barnegat at the Gazebo with the
American Legion on November 11th, Veterans day celebration Color Guard at Albert
Music Hall in Waretown, NJ on the night of November 11th, home football game on November 22 and the Pearl Harbor remembrance service on December 3rd at the Barnegat Dock with the American Legion. It is wonderful that the Barnegat Schools continues to be part of our community with pride and respect for our country.
Classroom Close-up NJ is a half-hour television program that features innovative
projects in New Jersey public schools. The 15-time Emmy® award-winning show is
in its 23rd season and airs on NJTV. The show is the only television program in the
country devoted to featuring the positive things happening in public schools. On October 29t, our very own Barnegat High School, Ms. Elko was featured. Her segment was called “Reach Before You Teach". Please take a moment to view it here: http://classroomcloseup.org/segments/reach-before-you-teach/ What a wonderful impact Ms. Elko is having on our students!
On December 5, 2017, at the Barnegat Township Committee Meeting, the Barnegat
VFW Post #10092, three students from the Russell O. Brackman Middle School were
honored by the VFW for their Patriot's Pen essay. Emman Carman, 7th grade was
awarded first place, Lexi McGinnis, 8th grade was awarded second place, and John
Panico, 8th grade was awarded third place. Each of the students was given a
certificate, a $100.00 check, a pen, and a dog tag with their name. I am thrilled that the school district continues to have an outstanding relationship with the VFW and that the Township Committee acknowledged our amazing teachers for their hard work and
efforts educating our students.
Also on December 5, at the Township Committee meeting, the Barnegat VFW Post #10092 presented the winners of the Voice of Democracy Essay Contest from Barnegat High School. Congratulations to the winners! 1st place: Justin Bach,
2nd place: Brigid Harrington, and 3rd place: Anthony Forte. Thank you to the VFW
for their service and support of the Barnegat Township Schools.
The Barnegat High School Select Choir has been selected to perform at the Historic
Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City at the second annual Christmas Spectacular. They were in the company of well-known professionals. The Select Choir also performed at the Borgata with the Stockton University Choir on December 10 and were featured on WOBM on December 4th.
Whether you are a parent or teacher, board member or committee member, volunteer or coach, I am grateful for your support of our amazing school district and both student and teacher accomplishments this holiday season.
Barnegat Named Town of Excellence Due to School's Efforts
On Tuesday, December 12 the Barnegat School District and Township of Barnegat were honored by the RWJ Barnabas Health Institute for Prevention’s DART Prevention Coalition. This year the only town in Ocean County receiving the Township of Excellence Award was Barnegat.
Two years ago, the Barnegat School District lost important funding previously provided by the Township’s Municipal Alliance. These necessary funds assisted with Project Graduation, the mentor-mentee program, and other prevention programs provided for nearly 3200 students who attend Barnegat Schools.
In an effort to retain these important programs, the Barnegat School District has aggressively sought other funding sources. In July, the Prevention and Wellness Coalition of Barnegat was founded by Superintendent, Karen Wood. The school district will be applying for a Drug Free Communities grant in the spring. Generally issued to townships, the school district sought support from RWJ Barnabas Health to begin preparing for grant submission.
In order to qualify for the grant, twelve sectors must collaborate. Some of those sectors include the school district, municipality, local business, health care provider, faith based organizations and civic organizations. “I knew we had to act fast”, Wood stated. “We had to get in touch with representatives from all sectors, and begin meeting.” The grant application calls for a minimum number of meetings with agenda, minutes, surveys, and data collected from the community and school district in order to apply for the Drug Free Communities grant.
Sectors represented on the Prevention and Wellness Coalition of Barnegat are the Barnegat Township School District, the Barnegat Recreation Department, the Barnegat Township Committee, the Barnegat Police Department, the Mirage Adult Community, the Heritage Adult Community, the Jersey Shore Girl Scouts, the Boy Scouts, Oasis Family Center, Barnegat Rotary Club, Barnegat Neighborhood Watch, Hearts of Mercy, Local Business Owner/Parent representative (Lefty’s), Barnabas Health, and Rutgers University. Superintendent Wood is thrilled with the local support received in this important endeavor.
“Being recognized as a Town of Excellence is such an honor”, Wood said at the recognition ceremony on December 12. “I’ve been Superintendent for seven years in Barnegat and I have always known this community to come together for our students. The newly formed Coalition is impressive. They come together each and every month for the benefit of our school and our community. The issue of prevention is important to all of us.”
Manager, Michael Kapko of the DART Prevention Coalition said, "The commitment from the school district is absolutely phenomenal. I cannot say enough about the schools and the people we've had the chance to work with, not just in the past year but in years leading up to this as well."
Parents Guide to Navigating Winter Recess
Message from the Superintendent
I wanted to take a moment to wish all of our Barnegat Schools Families a very Happy Holiday season and a wonderful New Year. Please do not forget that Friday, December 22 is an early dismissal day for all schools. My wish for all of you is for health and happiness in the New Year. Here in our six schools, our goals remain the same - to provide a nurturing environment where students can reach their highest potential. For some students that means excelling in academics, while for others it's athletically, socially, or through the arts.
Thank you for continuing to support our schools. Wishing you a joyous Holiday Season and a very Happy New Year.
Sincerely,
Karen Wood