MTPS Pride Newsletter
Dr. George Meets Students to Learn from Experts
In October, Superintendent of Schools, William O. George, III, Ed. D., hosted round table forums with students from High School North and South.

The ideas presented ranged from curriculum and policy changes to school culture and facility upgrades.

"We talk the talk about promoting student voice and student choice, and this is part of how we walk the walk. Some of these students have been in our schools for 13 years. They are experts and their input is vital," said George. "Our students are our leaders. Their feedback has, and will continue to create positive change throughout our District."

Notes from the forums were taken and the ideas will be discussed further at future meetings of faculty and administrative team members.
New Locations for Upcoming
Strategic Planning Forums
The District's 2020-2025 Strategic Planning process is underway. Please join us at an upcoming Public Forum.

Please note the forum venues have changed from what was previously announced. Learn more about the Strategic Planning process at  the  District website.

Public Forum Schedule

Wednesday, Nov. 13 (High School South)
Wednesday, Dec. 11 (High School North)
Stocker Honored for $1 Million Safe Routes to School Grant
On Oct. 29, River Plaza Elementary School PTA leader Marguerite Stocker was honored at the annual EZride Recognition Luncheon for efforts that helped secure a $1 million New Jersey Safe Routes to School grant. The funding will be used to make improvements along Hubbard Avenue, a main walking and biking route for students and families that attend the primary school.

Stocker was accompanied at the luncheon by Superintendent of Schools William O. George III, Ed. D., Middletown Township Business Administrator Anthony Mercantante, Assemblywoman Serena DiMaso, Middletown Township Mayor Tony Perry and River Plaza Elementary School Principal David Whitman, all of whom contributed to this collaborative initiative. Continue reading about the grant on the District website .
District & Township Partner for Senior Planning Forum
On Thursday, Oct. 24th, District personnel, Board of Education President Pamela Rogers and Middletown Township Mayor Tony Perry came together at the Middletown Senior Center at Croydon Hall for a special informational forum concerning the strategic planning process.

The forum was held specially for senior members of our Middletown community as part of an ongoing outreach effort that continues Wednesday, Nov. 13 at High School South. Watch the forum in full by clicking the button to the left.
Fairview Aids Lunch Break
Since launching its community garden, Fairview Elementary School has donated 33 pounds of produce to Lunch Break, a non-profit organization in Red Bank that provides food, clothing, life skills training and fellowship to those in need throughout Monmouth County. For more information about Lunch Break, or to donate or volunteer, visit www.LunchBreak.org .
MTPS Community Calendar
On Wednesday, Dec. 4th the District will host an information session about the multitude of High School Pathways, Academies, and Academic Opportunities. Both students and parents are encouraged to attend the 6:30 p.m. event at High School North.

Important Dates

P lease join the  Middletown Township Friends of diverse Learners,  (MTFOdL) for a special meeting on Monday, Nov. 18. The event will feature discussion about inclusion in our community, as well as remarks by Fred Buglione of the  New Jersey Coalition for Inclusive Education . More information here .

To view a full list of your school's events please visit the calendar on your school's website.

High school athletics schedules can be viewed at www.shoreconferencenj.org

Middle school athletics schedules can be viewed at w ww.shoreconferencems.org
High School Student Volunteers Needed

Thompson Middle School PFA's annual Granny's Attic Craft Show is seeking high school student volunteers.

All proceeds from the event are donated to Thompson Middle School to be used for grants for teachers to purchase supplemental supplies, to fund educational speakers and presentations, to contribute to after school clubs, and much more.

This is a great way to give back to the student community and earn service hours. For more information, and to register as a volunteer, please visit the volunteer portal .
Blessing Bag Brigade
to Host Thanksgiving Dinner

Blessing Bag Brigade, a Middletown-based non-profit organization dedicated to showing compassion and humanitarianism toward the homeless, will host its second annual Community Thanksgiving Dinner on Wednesday, Nov. 29th at the Robert D. Wilson Memorial Community Center in Atlantic Highlands.

The dinner begins at 5 p.m. and cooked food donations can be delivered from 3 to 4 p.m.

For volunteer opportunities or to donate food please contact Kevin Garrison at 347-938-0054, or email BlessingBagBrigadeN@gmail.com.

For more information please visit www.BlessingBagBrigadeNJ.org .
District Food Provider, Whitsons Culinary Group, is Hiring Service Workers...

If you are searching for employment that follows your student's schedule,  Whitsons Culinary Group  is hiring food service workers and cooks for our Middletown school cafeterias! Apply online at  www.whitsons.com/careers .
Nut Swamp Elementary Launches New Plastic Bag
Recycling Program
In partnership with decking manufacturer, Trex, Nut Swamp Elementary School has launched a new plastic bag recycling program.

A collection bin has been placed inside the primary school where residents can drop off the following:

Plastic shopping bags, bread loaf bags, plastic water bottle case wrapping, dry cleaning bags, plastic newspaper bags, produce bags and much more.

With the launch, Nut Swamp is now part of a global initiative in which Trex collects these plastic materials and reuses them in their decking materials. For more information please visit www.Trex.com/recycling-programs .
The Middletown Township Historical Society (MTHS) is an outstanding community partner dedicated to preserving, documenting, and sharing the history of one of the oldest European settlements in the state.

For more information about MTHS, including upcoming educational event, please visit the  organization's website .
Harmony Elementary Stands Up To Cancer At Luca Strong Day
Harmony Elementary School students and staff rallied for Luca Iacono on Oct. 25, 2019 at the third annual Luca Strong Day, an event in which students are invited to wear pink and blue clothing in support their fifth grade classmate and friend who continues to battle against cancer.

Continue reading on the District website .
In 2006, Kristen Gillette lost her daughter Kortney to a brain tumor. In the ensuing months, Gillette was moved to found the Kortney Rose Foundation , a non-profit organization dedicated to raising funds for pediatric cancer research. To date the group has raised more than $2.3 million, a total that includes fundraising contributions from Middletown Township Public Schools.

District students helped the foundation raise $10,312 last year, and Gillette hopes that total can be surpassed with this year’s “Kortney’s Cash for the Cure” event.

Fundraising materials for the month-long effort arrived in our schools Oct. 15. The deadline to donate is Nov. 15. For more information about “Kortney’s Cash for the Cure” please reach out to the front office of your home school. To learn more about the Kortney Rose Foundation, or to donate, please visit the organization website .
District Honored at 2019 NJSBA Workshop
Educators across the District are engaging students in personalized learning opportunities that build the skills necessary to one day flourish during college studies, a trade school education or in a rapidly evolving global work environment.

The District was recognized for this forward-thinking approach on Sept. 16th during a ceremony at the 2019 New Jersey School Boards Association Workshop in Atlantic City. Read more at the District website.

NOVEMBER LUNCH MENUES: The District has published the monthly food menus for November on our website. Please view them on the Food Services page .

GIFTED AND TALENTED: The District has started mailing information about the Gifted and Talented Program. For more information about mailing dates and program start dates please visit the District website .
Thorne Middle School
Accepts Rachel's Challenge
On Tuesday, Oct. 15 Thorne Middle School Students were introduced to Rachel’s Challenge, the emotional tale of Rachel Joy Scott, whose life was taken in the tragic events of Columbine High School in 1999.

To learn more about Rachel's story and the Thorne community's reaction please visit the District website .
The Middletown Township Public Library (MTPL) is conducting a surplus Halloween candy collection.

The collected candy will be donated to Holiday Express, a local nonprofit organization that delivers food, music, gifts, financial supports and friendship to those in need during the holiday season.

All donations can be made at the Middletown Township Public Library.
A University Model in
Active Learning Classrooms
The District has adapted the university "Active Learning Classroom" model from Rutgers University, and designed and implemented five new rooms in our middle schools and high schools. Research shows that active learning, when compared to individualistic learning, improves academic achievement, the quality of interpersonal interactions between peers, and a student's self-esteem. Learn more on the
District Working to Develop
Global Citizenship Education
District Supervisor of Social Studies and Technology, Wendy Morales, is emphasizing the concept of global citizenship education during the 2019-20 school year. As technology continues to transform higher education and workplace environments the importance of global competency for our students is rapidly increasing. To learn more about the District's global citizenship education efforts please continue reading.
Dr. George's Corner - Leading and Learning
As an educator, district leader, and lifelong learner, I am fortunate enough to work in a school district where I learn something new every day. My daily interactions with students, teachers, support staff, administrators, parents, and many others have allowed me to consider unique perspectives and challenge my own beliefs.
For two decades I have had the privilege of serving as an adjunct professor. This opportunity has allowed me to learn alongside educators with different expertise who serve in a variety of district roles. Instead of seeing myself as their professor, I choose to see myself as a “lead learner” inspiring other educators to embrace the infinitely unfinished process of learning.

Each day, we as educators have the ability to motivate all learners by inspiring them to maximize their potential through learning experiences that cultivate their strengths and passions.

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