Superintendent's Corner
May 1, 2015 Bernard F. Bragen, Jr.
Hazlet Students Benefit from Board of Education Grants
The Hazlet Township Board of Education has dedicated funds to support creative thinking and innovations that can enhance the educational programs for our students. Staff members were asked to propose ideas to assist in meeting our District’s Mission, Vision and Goals and to create innovative programs to best meet our students’ educational needs and continually seek to engage our students in novel ways. These grants are funded by income generated by the shared services agreement that the District has with the Highlands School District. Grant awards ranged from $500 for an individual member or $1,000 to a group of members. This year, the District awarded more than $12,000 to 30 teachers and educational professionals who submitted 19 grant applications.
One grant had world-renowned military photographer Stacy Pearsall visiting Raritan High School to collaborate with local veterans and students from the Digital Photography and Sociology classes. Ms. Pearsall’s visit was funded by a Hazlet Township Board of Education grant awarded to teachers Rosemarie Wilkinson and Teresa Gennarelli. On Thursday, April 23rd, Ms. Pearsall conducted a photography workshop with students while continuing her portraiture work as the founder of the Veterans Portrait Project (VPP). The VPP has photographically documented over 3,000 veterans throughout the United States. Ms. Pearsall and students in Raritan High School’s Digital Photography classes photographed 12 local veterans, from World War II to Afghanistan, and Sociology students interviewed the veterans and prepared tributes for their service. Students also held a reception for the veterans with scheduled portrait sessions throughout the morning. On Friday, April 24th, Ms. Pearsall returned to Raritan High School and shared her work and her professional journey with staff members during their scheduled professional development. She discussed her journey from soldier and combat photographer to entrepreneur and author. Her message inspired and invigorated staff and students.
We are grateful to the Board of Education for their support and the innovative spirit and creativity of our teachers in applying for these grants.
Students and Police Work Together to Support Autism
The preschool and kindergarten students at Sycamore Drive Early Childhood Learning Center, eagerly participated in a walk-a-thon to support Parents of Autistic Children (POAC). Lt. Ted Wittke, and fellow members from the Hazlet Police Department, proudly donated $1,000.00 to Mr. Gary Weitzen, POAC Executive Director, and Mrs. Simone Tellini, POAC Director of Program Development Autism Services. The Hazlet Township Police Department has received training from POAC and has recently instituted a new voluntary registry to help identify missing persons and assist police in locating persons who are “runners or wanderers.” with special needs. The collaborative efforts between Sycamore Drive students, staff, PTO, POAC and the Hazlet Police Department resulted in donations to POAC and autism awareness.
The walk-a-thon consists of an activity circuit with skills that engage students, such as:
o Let’s go to the Rodeo: Gallop like a horse!
o Let’s go to the Circus: Be a tightrope walker!
o Let’s go to the Beach: Walk like a crab!
o Let’s go to the Forest: Hop like a bunny!
All of the students completed the full circuit and posed for a class picture with the character, Cookie Monster. Students enjoyed an ice pop provided by the PTO.
The Board of Education, Dr. Bernard F. Bragen, Jr., Superintendent, Mr. Thomas Toohey, Director of Special Services and Ms. Susan Galbraith, Principal, remain committed to an inclusive learning environment. We are proud to celebrate student differences and honored to work with students with disabilities ensuring a compassionate and supportive school culture.
On the day of the walk-a-thon, each class has a 10-minute lesson connecting the students’ participation in the walk-a-thon to autism awareness, using a story called, “My Friend with Autism,” by Beverly Bishop.
This kid-friendly book explains in positive ways that children with autism are good at some things and not so good at others - just like everyone else! The narrator (a peer) notes that his friend's senses work "really well" - he can hear sounds no one else can hear; his eyes work so well bright lights can hurt them. In all cases, the differences are described in a kind, understanding manner.
Hazlet Middle School Student Using Photoshop
Hazlet Middle School art club students, under the direction of Mrs. Laura Toal, recently completed a great Photoshop Project! They researched famous works of art, and they each selected a painting in which to insert their own photo. They analyzed how to pose and how to light their photos, so that they would match with the work of art, and their photos were inserted using Photoshop. For a bulletin board display, the students also added a thought bubble to each work of art, providing the name of the painting, artist, and facts about its creation. It was a great way to learn how to use Photoshop and also demonstrate their creativity.
Beers Street School Autism Walk-A-Thon
The Beers Street School students and staff were excited to support the Parents of Autistic Children (POAC) by participating in the school’s first ever Walk-a-Thon sponsored by our Community Club and Teacher Advisor, Mrs. Nora Pettyjohn. The event was held on Friday March 27th. The walk took place behind Beers Street School and consisted of 40 consecutive minutes. Students and staff made signs and wore t-shirts with supportive phrases while cruising to the sweet sounds provided by our music instructor, Mr. Lahaye. The donations raised for this event totaled over $3,000.00 and were personally provided to a representative from the POAC during an assembly held as part of a campaign to raise awareness for autism. The class that earned the most money was presented with a pizza party donated by the Beers Street School Parent Teacher Organization (PTO). Good cause, good food, good people. BARK LOUD Beers Street School!
Raritan Valley Science Fair
On Thursday, April 23rd Raritan Valley School held their annual Science Fair. 2nd grade teacher Mrs. Iannello did a fantastic job organizing the event with the help of our PTO parents and her colleagues. The community was very supportive attending the fair and seeing all of the wonderful projects our young scientists prepared.
Hazlet Township Public Schools
Email: bbragen@hazlet.org
Website: www.hazlet.org
Location: 421 Middle Road, Hazlet, NJ, United States
Phone: 732-270-6764
Twitter: @hazletsupt