Lincroft Elementary School students have discovered a passion for for composting thanks to new initiative organized and implemented by Mrs. Alexandra Scaff.

Following lunch and snack time, students now make it a regular practice to transport their fruit and vegetable scraps to the campus garden in an effort that not only reduces food waste, but decreases the school community’s environmental impact. 

“Regularly, students participate in the morning announcements explaining the important role that composting plays in our environment. These students encourage others to participate. Anyone who chooses to compost can join the Lincroft Compost Crew by writing their name on a whiteboard in our cafeteria, and making a promise to compost!” said Lincroft Elementary School Principal Daniel Imbimbo.

Lincroft’s composting process is a three step endeavor:

• Collecting fruit and vegetable scraps in plastic containers.
• Putting the food scraps into a plastic spinning composter outside.
• Dumping the composted material into the school garden.

Lincroft’s composting program is a true community effort that begins with teachers and/or paraprofessionals setting aside containers or plastic bins with lids for students to deposit appropriate food waste.

On Fridays, the Lincroft Compost Crew then collects and dumps all fruit and vegetables into an outside spinning composter that is set up in the school courtyard. 

After the decomposition process, those composted materials are dumped out of the spinning composter into a wheelbarrow and taken to the school garden, where it is added to the soil to provide nutrients for the plants.

MTPS is proud of Lincroft’s school-wide exercise to reduce, reuse and recycle organic food waste in a way that both engages students and educates the community about the importance of environmental health. Keep up the wonderful work!

Bayshore Middle School sixth grade student Maddie Pelliccia was recently honored by her school community for her individual efforts to raise awareness about breast cancer and support the local non-profit organization Breast Intentions.

In her spare time, Maddie purchased supplies to develop and distribute pink bracelets inscribed with messages of hope, determination and courage. The bracelets are intended to inspire those who may be challenged by breast cancer, and to support loved ones who may be struggling with breast cancer. All proceeds collected by Maddie from the sale of these bracelets are donated to Breast Intentions, which works to support women struggling with breast cancer.

Thank you to Maddie for her incredible work to support so many who have been impacted by breast cancer.

Goblins, ghosts and ghouls arise in the month of October. But as Halloween preparations pick up across the district, New Monmouth Elementary School students in Ms. Molly Arnette’s second grade classroom designed and colored their own little monsters as a method to practice the proper use of adjectives.

Students applied some spooky hues to their monsters, before cutting out the festive creatures and pasting them to a piece of appropriately-colored orange construction paper.

Once their monsters were set in place, Ms. Arnette asked her students to describe their creations using adjectives they had learned about in class. This type of literacy education strategy promotes creativity, engagement and agency during a student’s learning journey.

Artwork of the Week

High School North sophomore student Milo Antonio impressed this week with a pen and ink drawing that, on the surface, appears to be an incredibly detailed depiction of a mouse chowing down on a piece of cheese.

However, closer examination reveals what appears to be the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMN) hovering in the background and peering over hungry critter. An alternate interpretation of this work could conclude that this dairy-loving rodent is none other than fellow TMNT character, Splinter. But art, of course, is in the eye of the beholder. What do you think?

Keep up the fantastic work Milo!

Pup of the Week

Thorne Middle School students were joined on campus this week by this happy pup named Addie Bear.

Addie serves as one of the Middletown township Public School District's certified emotional-support dogs.

Addie is just one of our furry friends throughout the district who help support students and staff members as they navigate difficult moments in their educational or personal lives.

Our therapy dogs are certified by the New Jersey non-profit organization Attitudes in Reverse (AIR).

Learn more about the AIR Dogs certification program.

Thorne Middle School English Language Arts educator Jessica Walsh was seen twinning - wearing clothing that matches a colleague or themed lesson - this week when she wore her lesson on her sleeves. Walsh sported a t-shirt that personified the day’s instruction about differentiating between “There, Their, and They’re.” A visual aid of this magnitude can help create powerful connections in the minds of students by linking authentic experiences to important learning objectives.

This space is dedicated to the promotion of mental health resources in our schools and local community. Please refer to the district site for a comprehensive list of resources: Mental Health & Community Resources

Is your student experiencing stress and/or anxiety? It can be hard for parents and caregivers to tell the difference, and more importantly, to know how to help. The National Institute of Mental Health shared this infographic to help. 

School Counselors are available to help students, and their families, navigate stress, anxiety and other uncomfortable feelings.