MTPS Pride Newsletter: A Learner-Centered Community Newsletter.

Ocean Avenue Elementary Family Reunites Before the Holidays

On Wednesday, Dec. 21, students, staff and members of the Ocean Avenue Elementary School community gathered outside of the school for a very special dismissal.


When Aaliyah Kane (kindergarten) and her older brother Souleymane (third grade) exited their school, the siblings raced into the open arms of their mother.

What they didn't expect to find was their father, an active United States Military serviceman, waiting to greet them.


Mr. Kane serves as a member of the Army, and is stationed in Germany. Wednesday was the first time he had seen Aaliyah and Souleymane in two years.


The Middletown Township Public School District is grateful for Mr. Kane's service, and would like to extend the warmest welcome home on behalf of our entire school community.


Watch the Kane family reunite by following the link video to the right.

MTPS Sends Holiday Wishes

Students, staff and members of the Middletown Township Public School community have spent the week extending holiday wishes and spreading cheer ahead of the upcoming winter recess.


Band and chorus concerts across the district are a highlight of the holiday season, and High School North's full-band showcase is now available to watch by following the video link to the right.

In addition to musical performances, students participated in authentic learning opportunities, by applying the skills they have developed in class to complete fun, holiday-themed learning objectives. In Mrs. Kuzmin's Applied Arts and Design class, students developed garments to be worn and displayed in an "ugly holiday sweater" contest.

Fashion Design students in Mrs. Hanson's class worked with the Lion Cubs Preschool Program to surprise MTPS' youngest learners with hand-crafted stuffed dolls.


The dolls were hand-sewn and personalized to each child's favorite character. One of those young learners, Bodhi, is featured to the right with his very own Superman figurine. Other characters included Spider-Man, Minnie Mouse, Snowmen and Women, and many more.


This activity not only exemplifies the district's goal to provide students with opportunities for the practical application of their skills, but also served as a heart-warming act of altruism.

Speaking of altruistic displays, we must also thank students and families of the Middletown Village Elementary School community, who earlier this week gathered goods and assembled more than 125 supply bags to support the local non-profit organization, The Blessing Bag Brigade. This community partner is dedicated to displaying compassion and humanitarianism toward those in need. Excellent work by The Griffins!

Be sure to check out some of the best photos of the week below. On behalf of the Middletown Township Public School District, we wish you and yours the happiest and healthiest of holidays.

Pup of the Week: Fairview Elementary's Own Cali

In this photo, Cali may resemble The Grinch, but this pup has a big heart.

 

Based out of Fairview Elementary School, Cali serves the Middletown Township Public School District as a certified therapy dog. When an incident happens in the life of an individual member of our school community, or a scenario occurs that impacts our greater community, Cali is called upon to support those who are affected.


Cali, along with a number of her furry friends situated throughout the district, earned her certification through the AIR School Therapy Dog Program, a 38-week training course offered by the Princeton, NJ based nonprofit organization Attitudes in Reverse (AIR). Thank you to Cali and all of our district therapy dogs for the act of service they provide to our MTPS family.

Bayview Students Bring Caroling Cheer to Township Building

Bayview Elementary School students in Ms. Casey, Ms. Rotondella, and Mrs Jennings' class were excited to visit Middletown Mayor Tony Perry, the Township Committee, members of the Middletown Township Police Department, and a group of local military veterans at our community's new municipal building. 

 

The students, with assistance from Ms. Mary Pat Harrington, signed and sang along to various holiday carols. 

 

Bayview's Heroes Cafe was also able to present Mayor Perry with a donation to Middletown's veterans housing project, a plan that that will lead to the construction of a housing development on Leonardville Road to support those who have served to protect our country's freedoms and way of life.

 

The Heroes Cafe, in addition to their weekly beverage orders, made patriotic ornaments for the staff at Bayview. Many staff members paid this act of kindness forward by making a donation to this amazing cause.


HS North Inducts Students Into World Language Honor Societies

Middletown North World Language Honor Society inductions were held on Thursday, Dec. 8. Eligible students were inducted into their chapters of the French, Italian, Latin and Spanish honor societies. Students gave speeches and performances in their respective languages, in addition to guiding the audience thorough traditional events and customary activities learned through their coursework. Inductees, parents, guardians and friends who attended the event enjoyed a celebratory reception following the ceremony. Congratulations to all of our inductees!

High School North Earns APP Honors

Congratulations to the Middletown High School North community for being named 2022 Best of the Best Schools in Monmouth County by the Asbury Park Press. The Lions were one of three finalists for the honor alongside Red Bank Regional High School and Belmar Elementary School.

Community Supports During the Holidays

As we approach the winter break we are cognizant of the fact that this may be a difficult time of year for some students and their families. With our schools closed from December 24, 2022 through January 2, 2023, we wanted to offer some resources that students and caregivers can access throughout the break if necessary. Below you will find links to various organizations in the community that can provide mental health and crisis support if needed. All of the resources below are accessible 24/7. 

 

Perform Care/Children’s Mobile Response

877-652-7624

 

Monmouth Medical Center-Psychiatric Emergency Screening Services (PESS)  

732-923-6999

 

2nd Floor Youth Hotline

Talk or Text Line: 888-222-2228 

 

Crisis Text Line 

Text: 741741

 

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

Talk or Text: 988

 

Trevor Project

Talk Line: 866-488-7386

Text Line: 678-678

 

We hope that our students and their families are safe and well through the holiday season. Our staff looks forward to continuing to partner with families regarding our students upon the return to school on January 3, 2023.

A Holiday Message from Superintendent of Schools Mrs. Mary Ellen Walker

Dear MTPS Parents,


The holiday season and end of the year are traditionally a time for reflection and gratitude. I am very grateful to be a part of our strong Middletown School District community, and thank each of you for the support you give to our students to ensure they succeed academically, socially and

emotionally. 

 

Each of you contributes in your own way to our students’ success. Reading to your child, helping with homework, volunteering with your school’s parent organization, and attending student performances and athletic events are just a few examples of the essential role you play in your child’s education. Our dedicated staff give their all, but your support makes all the difference.  We look forward to all we will achieve

together in the New Year.  

 

On behalf of the Board of Education, administration and

staff, we extend warm wishes for a joyous holiday spent with family and friends.


Sincerely,


Mary Ellen Walker

Superintendent of Schools

Harmony Band Spreads Holiday Cheer to the Community

On Friday, December 16th, Harmony Elementary School's 5th Grade Band students reached out to our community by visiting The Villas, a senior living community, to spread holiday cheer to the residents. The band played a variety of holiday songs including "Jingle Bells," "Dreidel," and "Jolly Old St. Nicholas." Soloists included "Up on the Housetop" and "Angels We Have Heard on High." For their grand finale, residents of the Villas joined the band by playing "Jingle Bells" along with the band to create a multi-generational concert! The band was accompanied by Thorne Middle School band director Mr. Domenic D'Angelo. Thank you to the Harmony band for providing members of our community such a wonderful holiday treat.

Thorne Middle School Welcomes Wreaths Across America

The Wreaths Across America caravan rumbled and roared into Thorne Middle School on Wednesday, accompanied by a police escort and welcomed by students, staff, the MTPS Administration, Board of Education Members, and local veterans from a multitude of United States military branches.

The caravan rolled down Murphy Road and into the campus' main driveway, where students lined the street with red, white and blue attire, and vigorously waved flags. Students chants of "U-S-A! U-S-A" eventually gave way to a somber performance of taps delivered by Thorne Middle School Band Director Domenick D'Angelo, and two of his talented trumpet players.

The audience was then invited inside Thorne Middle School for dance and musical performances, a presentation about the school's namesake Horace M. "Bud" Thorne - a Battle of Bulge war hero - and a recognition ceremony that honored all of our community veterans on hand.


In closing, the Thorne student government presented Wreaths Across America with a donation of more than $3,600 to support the organization's annual venture from its Maine headquarters to Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. On National Wreaths Across America Day (Dec. 17), volunteers from the non-profit organization will lay ornamental wreaths at the headstones of our nation's veterans. Their mission is to remember, honor and teach. Our district was honored to help Wreaths Across America honor its mission. We commend the Thorne Middle School community for a job well done.


Watch the full event at the video link above, and check out some of the best photos from the day below.

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