Lincroft Students Write Letters of Strength to Ukraine
As part of a special Blessing Bag Brigade initiative to support the people of Ukraine, Lincroft Elementary School students added to their blessing bag donations special letters of strength for those who may receive the packages of donated supplies.
MTPS Students Headed to World Championships with Special Forces Cheer Program
The 12-member Special Forces Cheer Program was selected as one of only five groups from around the globe to represent their division at ESPN’s Wide World of Sports in Walt Disney World on April 23-25. These cheerleaders are students with disabilities who will be the first squad in history to represent Central New Jersey.
The team features two student-athletes from the Middletown Township Public School District in Hannah Piasecki (Thompson Middle School) and Alexis Applegate (Thorne Middle School). District educator Brooke Palle coaches the team. Cheer Dream Xplosion launched the Special Forces squad in 2014 with assistance from the Cheer Dream Scoliosis Foundation, a non-profit organization based in Old Bridge.
The Special Forces squad provides more opportunities for cheer athletes with disabilities to participate in an environment with high expectations and competition standards. The initial group was composed of two athletes but has since expanded to two cheer abilities teams, including an exhibition squad and this elite competition team.

Be sure to watch the Special Forces Cheer Team routine that clinched the squad's bid to the world championships, and learn more about Special Forces Cheer by visiting the Cheer Dream Xplosion Facebook page.

Congratulations to Hannah, Alexis, Coach Palle and the entire Special Forces Cheer Team. Best of luck at the World Championships!
HS South Student Recognized
at County Teen Arts Fest
Congratulations to High School South senior Abigail Heller, who earlier this week was honored during the Monmouth County Teen Arts Festival. Heller's piece titled "Happy Birthday," a colored pencil creation, was selected to appear at the Best in Visual Arts Teen Arts Exhibition on Monday, March 28 at 6 p.m. in the Freehold Raceway Mall. The exhibition will be on display from March 28 through April 4.
MTPS Resource Center:
School & Community Mental Health
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
It is healthy for people to experience a range of emotions, including sadness. 

However, some people have persistent and overwhelming feelings of sadness and hopelessness. If you notice changes in your child that include a shift in mood that seems to last more than a week or two; a loss of interest in activities and hobbies; changes in sleeping or eating routines; or trouble concentrating, it may be appropriate to seek more assistance for your child. 

These may be signs of depression. Depression is a clinical diagnosis and is caused by a number of factors. School counselors are trained in ways to help students begin to cope, while being connected to an appropriate level of care.  

The World Health Organization offers some practical guidance for parents and caregivers.
MTPS Therapy Dogs Pass
Good Citizen Test
Congratulations to Roxy, Finn and Ace, a trio of the district's talented therapy pups, who earlier this week passed their Canine Good Citizen Test.

The American Kennel Club's Canine Good Citizen Test is a certification program that evaluates dogs during simulated, everyday situations conducted in a relaxed, noncompetitive atmosphere. Dogs who pass the test are considered reliable family and community members, as certified by the American Kennel Club.

Earlier this year, the Middletown Township Public School District began deploying therapy dogs across the district to assist students and staff members cope with strong emotions experienced inside and outside of the classroom.

This particular group of canines account for three of eight dogs in the district currently enrolled in the AIR School Therapy Dog Program, a 38-week training course offered by the Princeton, NJ based nonprofit organization Attitudes in Reverse (AIR). The program will prepare these pups to be interventionists during significant situations.

Please visit the Attitudes in Reverse website for additional information about AIR and the organization’s School Therapy Dog Program.
WATCH: MTPS Nurtured Heart Approach Event (3.23.22)
Bayview's Amy Jennings Honored as Citizen of the Year
Bayview Elementary School special education teacher, Amy Jennings, poses with her Township issued proclamation and award after being named Middletown's Distinguished Citizen of the Year.
Congratulations to Bayview Elementary School educator Amy Jennings for being recognized as Middletown Township's Distinguished Citizen of the Year.

During a March 14 ceremony with Mayor Tony Perry and Board of Education President Frank Capone, Jennings was recognized with a proclamation and a plaque that celebrated her leadership and vision to found The Heroes Cafe.

The Heroes Cafe is a program in which students develop life and social skills in an interactive setting by preparing and delivering snacks and drinks to their teachers. The deliveries not only serve as a means of thanking the Bayview Elementary staff for all they do, but also as a fundraising effort in support of the No Limits Cafe on Route 35 near the border of Middletown and Red Bank.

Congratulations to Mrs. Jennings on this wonderful recognition. We can't thank you enough for all you do for the betterment of our school community and greater Middletown community.

Learn more about the No Limits Cafe by visiting the No Limits Cafe website.
MTPS Receives Generous Grant Funds From ACME and GENYOUth
Middletown Township Public School logo.
Thank you to ACME and the GENYOUth organization for its generous grant of $1000, which will be used to assist students in the Middletown Township Public School District. The grant funding was generated through general checkout stand donations made by patrons of the ACME Market located on Newman Springs Road in Middletown. The fundraising drive is part of ACME's ongoing Nourishing Neighbors campaign.

Thank you again to ACME and GENYOUth for their support of the Middletown Township Public School District.
HS North Performing Artists Host Sensory-Friendly Performance
Thorne Middle School students sit in the front row for a sensory-friendly performance of A Chorus Line at High School North.
Earlier this week, the High School North Performing Arts Department presented a special sensory-friendly performance of A Chorus Line for MTPS students.

Sensory-friendly performances are designed to create a welcoming and comfortable arts experience for individuals with a sensitivity to sensory input. Modifications of a sensory-friendly performance may include, but are not limited to:

  • Reduced sound levels
  • Lowered lighting
  • A reduction of strobe lighting
  • Permission for audience members to talk and leave their seats while the performance is taking place
  • Designated quiet areas in or around the theater
  • Space throughout the theater reserved for standing and movement

High School North's public performance of A Chorus Line opens on Friday, March 18 at 7 p.m. with two followup performances scheduled for Saturday, March 19 at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m.
MTPS Filmmakers Shine at Brightside Film Festival
High School South students pose with awards and their teacher Chris Corey at the Brightside Film Festival in Jersey City.
Earlier this week, filmmakers from High School North and High School South saw their work earn top prizes at the Brightside Film Festival - Shorts Film Fest in Jersey City at the Brightside Tavern.

Learn more about the festival and review all of the winners by visiting the Brightside Film Festival website.
Lincroft Students Welcome Members of the MTPD
A female officer of the Middletown Township Police Department is encircled by, and reading too, Lincroft Elementary School students.
A male officer of the Middletown Township Police Department holds up a Dr. Seuss book while reading to Lincroft Elementary School students.
Earlier this week, students at Lincroft Elementary School received a special visit from members of the Middletown Township Police Department and Mayor Tony Perry.

Mayor Perry and the officers took time out from protecting and serving our community to lead classroom read-alouds featuring some of the students favorite books and short stories.

Thank you to the Middletown Township Police Department for all they do for our community, and for visiting with our students.
A male officer of the Middletown Township Police Department is surrounded by Lincroft Elementary School students while reading a book to the group.
Middletown Township Police Department Chief, Craig J. Weber, is surrounded by Lincroft Elementary School students while reading a book to the group.
Middletown Township Mayor Tony Perry stands in front of a group of seated Lincroft Elementary School students and leads the class' daily read aloud.
Middletown Township Mayor, Tony Perry, stands at the front of the Lincroft Elementary School classroom and reads a book to a group of students.
A male officer of the Middletown Township Police Department is surrounded by Lincroft Elementary School students while reading a book to the group.
A male officer of the Middletown Township Police Department is surrounded by Lincroft Elementary School students while reading a book to the group.
MTPS Students Honored by County Guidance Directors
Monmouth County Guidance Counselors Association logo.
Middletown Township Public School students Jordyn Lindsey (High School North) and Naomi Corboy (High School South) were recognized as the district's recipients of the Monmouth County Guidance Directors Association's 2022 Caring Awards.

Each year, Monmouth County high schools are asked to select one senior student that has displayed exceptional caring and compassion to a cause, group or program during their high school career.

Congratulations to Jordyn and Naomi on their recognition!
Affordable Internet Options
for Middletown Students
A number of affordable internet access options are currently available to Middletown Township Public School District students from vendors in or located near our community.

Determining your student's eligibility can be achieved by completing a brief application.
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