Therapy Dogs In Training Across the District |
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When a mid-morning thunder storm rolled through Middletown last month, a classroom teacher at Leonardo Elementary School noticed the anxiety level of her student intensify with each approaching rumble.
A quick call to the main office brought a visit from Ace, a one-and-a-half-year-old Australian shepherd poodle mix, who was able to calm the nerves of this young student and help them return to class.
Ace is one of eight dogs across the district 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), which prepares pups to intervene during significant situations in the lives of students and staff.
“Therapy dogs are trained to respond to tragedy in the lives of adults and students,” said Leonardo Principal Peter Smith. “If something significant happens, an emergency in the district, our course of action is to call our counselors in to assist. In the future, once they are certified and ready to go, we would call our dogs in as well to help students and staff get through any difficult time that may arise.”
Currently there are dogs in eight schools across the district that have completed approximately 10 weeks of training. Through the first eight weeks of the program, the dogs have received eye contact training, leash work, command obedience training and hand signal recognition training.
“We saw AIR implement a comprehensive program in the Hopewell Valley School District where eight admins and counselors were trained to bring dogs to school on a daily basis. With the support of Mr. Rinella and Mrs. Walker, we began our training,” added Smith. “Once our dogs are certified to do so, I’m confident they’ll make a lasting positive impact on the lives of our students and staff members.”
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Civic Air Patrol Cadet Program Open to Students Ages 12 and Above |
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The district is preparing to host a Civil Air Patrol Cadet Program on the campus of High School South. This regional squadron is composed of students from across Monmouth County, and aims to support our communities with emergency response and youth development programming.
“We believe this program will help fill a void for those students who are looking for something different from traditional extracurricular activities like athletics and clubs,” said Assistant Superintendent Kimberly Pickus. “This is a hands-on experience for students as young as 12-years old, and in addition to those students enrolled in the program, it will also help support our students involved in some of our more highly enrolled electives.”
Pickus said the partnership will support students in middle school robotics courses, as well as those involved with aeronautics and design, and rocket development at the high school level.
“The Civil Air Patrol can help provide our students access to equipment and materials like flight simulators and rocket design kits, as well offer color guard services at district events and ceremonies,” added Pickus.
Pickus also noted that with the squadron’s focus on aeronautics and cybersecurity skills training, students will receive instruction in highly-sought after fields, as well as the opportunity for internship experience at Newark Liberty International Airport and the Port Authority. Students enrolled in the program may also receive priority admittance into the various military academies after high school.
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Football Teams Capture Division Championships |
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With a 22-8 road victory over Brick Township on Oct. 8th, the High School North football program improved its record to 4-1 on the season and secured the Shore Conference Independence Division Championship, the program's first division title since 1983.
High School South traveled further down the Garden State Parkway that evening to Southern Regional, where the Eagles won a 21-14 contest, improving their record to 5-0 on the year and capturing the Shore Conference Colonial Division Championship in the process.
Congratulations to both of our football programs on their championship achievements, and best of luck through the rest of the season!
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New Monmouth Students Stomp Out Bullying |
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The New Monmouth Elementary School community closed out its Week of Respect with an effort to Stomp Out Bullying, as students and staff wore blue to partake in World Bullying Prevention Month.
This national initiative conducted across the country throughout the month of October aims to positively change school culture by educating students about the harmful effects of bullying, cyberbullying and discrimination.
Additionally, the Stomp Out Bullying movement promotes civility, diversity, inclusion, equity and equality, while speaking to the importance respect to oneself, classmates, school staff and community members, and highlights the power of peer mentoring programs.
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River Plaza Celebrates National Walk to School Day |
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A long standing tradition at River Plaza Elementary School is to participate in Walk to School Day, a national initiative that promote student health by walking and biking to campus.
The event also serves as a celebration of the school community's culture of safety and support for those students and families who do travel to class by foot or wheels.
Thank you to our community members who are diligent in their travels during school hours, and mindful of students, staff and families navigating to and from our school campuses.
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Nut Swamp Nest Beautification Committee at Work |
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Composed of students, staff and community volunteers, the Nut Swamp Nest Beautification Committee is leaving its mark on the elementary school's campus by maintaining an outdoor area for members of the school community to rest, relax, play and even participate in outdoor learning when weather permits.
Recently the committee has resurfaced the area with a fresh layer of engineered wood fiber, a safe, durable and natural method to covering grounds that offers cushion and protection for students and staff.
Thank you for your incredible efforts, and keep up the wonderful work!
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NMTPS/ESS Job Fair to be Held Tuesday, Oct. 19 |
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Middletown Township Public Schools and ESS invite you to join us at our upcoming hiring event for substitute school positions. We provide qualified candidates an opportunity to engage with our hiring managers, who will help place candidates in a role to support student education.
Managers will be on hand on Tuesday, Oct. 19 to answer questions and help interested candidates begin their employment application.
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Thorne's Josh Johnson Selected to Prestigious All-Star Football Game |
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Thorne Middle School seventh grade student Joshua Johnson, who earlier this week was selected to represent the New Jersey American Youth Football (NJAYF) organization and his Middletown Eagles program at the inaugural AYF 12U All-Star Game, which will be played in Florida in December. Congratulations to Joshua and best of luck competing this winter! |
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MTPS Celebrates its Custodial Staff on Day of Recognition |
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Though they often operate behind the scenes, students and staff across the Middletown Township Public School District took time on Friday to thank those in their building who help maintain a safe and pristine learning environment.
Saturday, Oct. 2nd marked National Custodial Worker's Recognition Day, a moment to celebrate and appreciate the hard work our maintenance and facilities staff members do each day.
Mary Walker, Superintendent, expressed gratitude in a message to our Facilities Department staff. "The entire school community recognizes the valuable contributions and integral role of our custodial and facilities staff to keep our school buildings clean, safe and well kept. At this time, when maintaining student and staff health is more difficult than ever, we truly appreciate all the work you do to ensure a safe and healthy school environment. Please know how much we value and respect your dedication and hard work. Thank you for all you do everyday!."
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9th Grade Seminar Program Off to a Stellar Start |
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For the 2021-22 academic year, the district has launched a 9th Grade Seminar Course designed to equip students with the skills needed to successfully navigate a high school learning environment.
Developed with respect to the New Jersey Department of Education and CASEL's social-emotional learning competencies, the seminar course helps students explore their strengths to identify possible college and career pathways, while encouraging self advocation and the exploration of a multitude of available resources and supports within the Middletown Township Public School District.
Over the first two weeks of class educators have engaged seminar course students by leading them through a scavenger hunts around campus, and ice-breaker activities with peers, in addition to classroom visits by assistant principals and guidance counselors.
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Movement for Actors Course Underway for Arts Students |
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The MTPS Arts Academy has opened the 2021-22 academic year with a new honors-level course, Movement for the Actor, exclusive to academy students.
An advanced semester course that offers a mix of yoga, blocking technique, and basic audition movement skills, the course is available to students interested in the Drama/Theatre Track. In addition to strengthening and elongating integral muscle groups, the program will help students to develop self-awareness on stage.
Those enrolled will also receive instruction in pilates and basic styles of breathing, as well as the elements of movement, and the fundamentals of posture, alignment, kinetics and coordination with respect to the art of yoga.
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North News Talks to Kevin Smith
and Jason Mewes in New Episode
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Lions Celebrate 103rd Birthday of Corporal Thorne |
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Thorne Middle School celebrated the 103rd birthday of its namesake, Corporal Horace Marvin "Bud" Thorne on Sept. 29th with a special reading during the school community's morning announcements, and by encouraging students to wear camouflage-patterned or military-themed clothing.
Thorne was born in Keansburg, but spent his formative years in the Port Monmouth section of Middletown.
After enlisting in the army, Thorne became a war hero at the Battle of the Bulge, a major German offensive campaign on the Western Front in December of 1944. Learn more about Thorne below.
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A revised 2021-22 school calendar was adopted During the Sept. 29 Board of Education Voting Meeting. |
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Monmouth County will host a number of COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics at various locations throughout October. |
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