Footloose - Photo credit Robin Hickman |
Yesterday around the District, children of staff members spent the day learning more about what their parent does each day when they leave for work. I would like to thank those who organized the various events across each building so the children would have a memorable day. From the creative science experiments routinely observed this day at the MSHS, Memorial High School to the inaugural ‘tie dye t-shirt’ making right here at the Culver Center. As I shared in my prior email, we all spend so much of our lives together it is important to take a moment and share our work family with our at home families. Great job by all!
This week across the District we are underway for the PARCC testing. So far, great job to all involved in proctoring the assessment under Pat Wulk’s leadership. In addition, this week the School Development Authority or SDA, came to give a public presentation on the High School construction project well underway on Wade Blvd. It is amazing to see the various renderings and images of what the final project will look like. Although it is going to take great patience, flexibility, and cooperation during the build process the final High School is truly going to be something worthy of being home to the BOLTS! New science labs, auditorium, new gymnasium with a Cross-fit Gym, and many more state of the art elements will bring the Thunderbolts into the 21 Century and beyond.
This week the BOE approved submission of the 2018-2019 School Budget. Noting once again that the funding out of the State’s capital for public education remains far below the current needs of this community. Despite the funding shortfall, the District has kept job reductions relatively low by raiding the District’s rainy day maintenance reserve. Without going to far down this path, it just is a last resort move as paying for recurring positions with money saved for one-time repairs of roofing or boilers is not best practice. It is for this reason I again plead that we all write our decision makers and share the plight of this City. We are located in the poorest county in the great State of NJ. Millville relies heavily on the support of outside revenue funding because of the current economical status of the vast majority of its residents. For 8 long years, we have creatively found ways to do more with less but the breaking point is upon us. Something has to change in Trenton and school funding for the better for this community to continue to grow.
Last and on a much brighter note, Footloose the school musical, is underway. Opening Thursday evening, the reaction so far has been overwhelmingly positive. Make sure you come out this weekend and catch our rising stars before they leave us and become major Hollywood players. So this weekend, ‘cut loose, Footloose, kick off the Sunday shoes’! Break a leg students!
SHOUT-OUTS!!!
"I wanted to thank Charlotte Richardson for organizing the Bubbles for Autism Event at Lakeside. Each year Charlotte coordinates the event which is dedicated to raising awareness of Autism."
~Spike Cook, Principal
"Along with providing good customer service Rob Smith works in infrastructure as a systems engineer where he is always looking for ways to make things more efficient. When we need someone to automate tasks that could take hours or days doing it manually, Rob is always willing to research and implement new ways to make our lives easier here in the IT department."
~Dan Wright, Communications Manager
"As I look forward to my final day before retiring, I want to look back and express my thanks and appreciation to all MPS staff I have had the pleasure for working with over the years. Thanks for everything you do on a regular basis that's good for kids, especially the ones who need your care and attention the most!"
~Debbie Homan, Supervisor
"Mt. Pleasant School is so thankful to have Linda Cox and Eileen Breslin in our front office. They are pleasant, helpful, and full of laughs. They also have a special knack for pulling substitute teachers out of thin air. They keep everything in order. Thank you both for all you do every day."
~Arlene Jenkins, Principal
"Debby Broe has been a wonderful addition to the Silver Run Family. Going the extra mile to make learning fun for her students seems to be the norm. My favorite activity might be the Candyland Sight Word Game where the kids are hopping across the floor having fun all the while learning their sight words. Great Job!"
"Thank you to Cheryl Ismail for taking the lead for Silver Run at this years' Franklin Institute Traveling Science Show. As usual you went above and beyond by recruiting teachers and organizing the experiment tables. You Rock!"
~Eric Reissek, Principal
"Amy Gandy is a hardworking, dedicated, caring individual who does nearly anything we need her to do. She's great with the students and staff, and she doesn't hesitate to jump in and make a difference. Amy, thanks for being so awesome!"
~Mike Coyle, Principal
"Shout-out to the counseling staff who supported the Holly Heights family in their recent time of need. It is difficult to understand loss of a child – impossible really, but during such a horrific time it was comforting to see our staff step up to support each other and the child’s family. I would like to specifically shout-out my cabinet members for joining with me to provide a special gift to assist the family in their time of need. Your generosity is appreciated deeply."
~Dr. David Gentile, Superintendent
Warm Regards,
Dr. G.
Dr. David N. Gentile
Superintendent of Schools
“Lead Learner”
@drgentile_mps (Twitter)
856-327-6001
#MPSWC (MPS World Class)
#greatdaytobeabolt
Published by Spike Cook, Millville, NJ