This week, I want to share a serious moment with all of you. It is admittedly a bit of an emotional message and a departure from the previous upbeat messages.
I would like to use my position and voice to draw attention to something that is spreading like wild fire through our society. In addition, my second goal is to honor the life of a young student from Upper Deerfield who has left the world far too soon. By all accounts, this young person was extremely kind and caring. He, like so many of our children, was trying to find his place in the world. Admittedly, I did not know him personally but having a 12 year old son I can almost imagine what he was like. From the pictures displayed at his wake last evening, he was an all-american kid. His smile lit up the room and warmed those around him.
Appearances, however, can be deceiving. People can be unkind. It requires much more strength and effort to be kind to others, especially those who are different from us, than it does to be mean. Easier to talk about people – put them down. Easier to join in when rumor or gossip is taking place than to challenge it. We know that kids can be cruel. We know they can abuse social media to spread half-truths, lies, and at times maliciously target another person. What we don’t want to admit is they learn it from the grown-ups around them. We are the example that they learn from. Not when we are in “let’s teach character education mode” but the way we behave when we think they are not looking. The kids are always watching and learning from us. In order to honor the loss of this young man and use my voice to make an attempt to prevent it from ever happening again I am doing the only thing I know how to do. I am speaking up. Below is my social media post written moments after leaving the wake. I went to pay my respect to the parents although I did not know them or they me. I did not have any intention of being moved the way I have been. Maybe its because I see so many similarities to my own son, maybe it is because I am an educator, who knows the reason. Regardless, I began to type and share the following: (please be kind to each other, and I challenge you to be kind to those who are different than you, be kind to those whom you don’t necessarily like, we all get one life to live, what will they say about you when you move on?)
Parents, friends- tonight I am feeling particularly passionate about my profession - specifically caring for, educating, and leading children as they make their way to young adulthood. I am leaving a viewing for a 12 year old who has left this world far too soon. I did not know this young man or his parents but when I learned about this tragedy it hit home. I have an 8 yr old daughter and a 12 year old son. The father, in his darkest moment, took the time to say to me “hold onto your children”. No words in response would be adequate so I looked to the floor and nodded my head.
We all think we are holding onto our kids! At least I think I am...but if I am honest I don’t check his phone with the regularity I first did. When his response is “don’t you trust me” I admit it put me on my heels a little. The answer is a resounding yes, yes I do trust my kids. The better question, should I trust the rest of the world influencing him and bombarding him through social media? Can I trust that others are working as hard as we do to raise good and kind human beings? We hear the words bullying and harassing so often these days we may become desensitized to it. Simply put, let’s make certain we raise kids that are kind, compassionate, and empathetic. I can hear some who will say things like “toughen up” but the truth is it is much tougher a challenge for kids (and people) to be kind to others that may be different than they are or who don’t quite fit in than it does to hurt them.
Sorry for the long post, sorry if you feel this is sappy. But I don’t care. I am honoring that father’s and that family’s loss in the best way I know how.
“Hold onto your kids!” And teach them to be kind.
SHOUT-OUTS to MPS World Class Staff
"I’d like to give a shout-out to Edwin Fien and Donna Makos at the Child Family Center. I was able to sit in on both of their classes last week and it was really amazing to see what they do. Every interaction with the students is turned into a learning experience and every second of time is planned and utilized extremely well. Both Edwin and Donna are models of excellence for this district."
~Bobby Barber
"We are very proud that Gena Pacitto’s research submission has been accepted for presentation at the Association for Behavior Analysis International’s convention in San Francisco in the coming spring. Congratulations, Gena!!!!"
~Nora Zielinski
"I cannot speak of the Human Resource Department without speaking of my team of four dedicated women who I thoroughly enjoy working with. These ladies are responsible for over 1,000 employees, juggling mounds of paperwork, phone calls, emails, inquiries, filing, etc., on a daily basis. Together they ensure that all employees are taken care of. They sometimes are the first in the line of fire with employees, parents, students, and visitors, yet they always handle themselves professionally and with utmost respect. They truly are compassionate and understanding. The behind the scenes extra effort put forth to assist our employees is impressive! Karen McCafferty, Lisa Discepola, Jamie Gribble, and Zoe Maines, thank you for all that you do. It does not go unnoticed."
~ Donna Meyers
"I want to give a shout out for Jessica Lieve who teaches the multiple-disabilities class at Rieck Ave. She has done remarkable work with our students. At times the progress our students have made because of the work of her and her aides is nothing short of miraculous. Jess is moving on to another district to start up an MD program for pre-school children, which has been a goal for her. She is a great educator and represents the very best of our vocation."
~ Brian D. Robinson, Ed.D.
"A special shout out to Kristin McManus and Steve Platt for doing an amazing job with PARCC planning. Each year we discover new obstacles in our planning and they handle it with ease. Thank you so much for your hard work and dedication!"
~ Stephanie DeRose
"This week, I’d like to give a Bacon shout out to Kim Berry, our PBIS aide. Kim goes above and beyond in her interactions and dealings with our students and parents. As a school, we work hard to maintain a positive outlook and attitude in our day-to-day duties, and Kim has embraced this. From giving students positive re-directions to helping plan fun events and challenges in our assemblies, Kim has worked hard to faithfully implement the PBIS program here at Bacon. We appreciate her dedication to our school, students, and families!"
~ Mike Coyle
"Bill Emberger has worked tirelessly with our testing coordinator to straighten out over 1000 input errors for our PARCC submission. Some of the PARCC reports have more than 100 columns of information. Finding and correcting these errors can take days or even weeks. Often times this means Bill has to step into the instructional side with us to understand why a column should be coded one way or the other. I appreciate his patience, diligence and willingness to learn. Sometimes we forget the behind the scene people who help support the work of the district. Bill, I salute you and all of the “Basement People”!"
~ Dr. Moore
"Holly Heights would like to give a shout out to Lisa Stahlberger. Lisa is out Library Media Specialist and is always planning creative and hands on activities for her students. She has been using the Breakout EDU program with her students. Anyone who has ever participated in an escape the room challenge will be familiar with the concept. Students have to work cooperatively in various challenges to figure out a series of locks to open the main box."
~ Steve Saul
"A huge thank you goes to Shari Booz and Erika Zeiters for their work in coordinating the Winter Festival at Lakeside Middle School this week. Their students have grown so much over the first few months of the school year due to their constant encouragement and feedback!"
~ Spike Cook
"Two of our Digital Literacy Specialists, Lauren Daigle and Alicia Discepola, have supported our PARCC testing efforts this week through a series of “PARCCIng Lot” videos to prepare our staff and students for the upcoming testing dates at the High School. They did this with humor, dedication, and willingness. Thank you both!"
Pat Wulk
"The American Chemical Society celebrates National Chemistry Week each October. A tradition that began in 1987 with the goal of promoting the value of chemistry in everyday life. This year we celebrate the 30th anniversary with the theme, "Chemistry Rocks". Lois Smaniotto's Chemistry students at Millville High School participated in activities which included growing crystals and learning about rocks, minerals, and gemstones. They also participated in a poetry competition sponsored by the South Jersey ACS. Joshua Sooy won first place for his poem about different types of rocks and was awarded a $75 Visa Gift Card and advanced to the National Contest with the potential to earn a $300 gift card. Alyssa Robbins won second place for her poem describing the structure of diamonds and was awarded a $50 Visa Gift Card."
~ Stacey Musey
"One to Mrs. Nora Zielinski! Sadly, Nora has submitted her retirement intention (which I still have decided whether to accept or deny lol). She is an extremely caring and kid-friendly educator. Her intentions are always pure and dedicated to making decisions that are in the best interest of the students. She works tirelessly, comes in early and leaves later than everyone else. She does this without complaint and always with a smile. I know we will learn exactly how much she does for this district when she is off in her garden or sighting birds (her two favorite hobbies). Before she goes, sometime in March, I feel compelled to highlight how much I appreciate her! A little long for a shout out but bear with me. She is an expert in the field of special education. She is a fierce defender of students’ rights. She exemplifies #MPSWC! Thank you Nora."
~ Dr. Gentile
"The second to Ashley Sorantino, School Outreach Worker, who is doing an outstanding job at Mount Pleasant School! She is passionate about caring for the students at MP. Mrs. Sorantino goes above and beyond the call of her job responsibilities and cares for her students as if they were her own. Often spending late nights sitting with a student in crisis at a local hospital or making house visits. She does everything in her power to reach out to the families in her care. Great job Ashley, keep up the fantastic work."
~ Dr. Gentile
Enjoy your weekend!
Regards,
Dr. G.
Dr. David N. Gentile
Superintendent of Schools
“Lead Learner”
@drgentile_mps (Twitter)
856-327-6001
#MPSWC (MPS World Class)
#greatdaytobeabolt
