A Message from the Superintendent of Schools-Spring 2003
A few weeks ago, I received notification from William L. Librera, the Commissioner of Education for the New Jersey Department of Education that the Kearny School District was chosen to be showcased in Success Stories, a publication of the NJ DOE. Dr. Librera said “On behalf of Governor James E. McGreevey and the Department of Education, I want to praise the good work being done in the Kearny School District by teachers, administrators, parents and students—as well as the community itself. The good work in Kearny is found in myriad ways: fire safety tips from preschoolers, successful athletic endeavors and holiday donation programs are just a few of them. The school district is making great strides and we are proud to recognize these achievements and to work alongside the district to continue this progress in the future. There is no doubt in my mind that great things will continue in the Kearny School District. Our congratulations for your own success and we are quite certain stories like the one included in Success Stories Spotlight will continue to be told.”
The Success Stories Spotlight is a publication of the Department of Education that showcases outstanding accomplishments of school districts.
Our district newsletters also showcase the excellent programs, practices and achievements in our seven schools in the Kearny School District. Among our most noteworthy successes this school year are:
● A monument placed in the stadium commemorating the first anniversary of the attack on the World Trade Centers
● Ceremonies in each elementary school commemorating September 11th
● Congressman Rothman’s visit to KHS to present a check for $125,000 for full-time police officer for KHS
● Washington School students participate in Governor’s book club
● KHS students commended by National Merit Scholarship Organization
● Dedication of the junior high addition to Schuyler School
● New Jersey Network’s visit to Franklin School to film the “Pledge of Allegiance” in classes throughout the school
● Students and teachers district-wide remembering the troops in Afghanistan and Iraq
● Roosevelt School receiving a grant to fund Environmental Club
● Lincoln School conducts their first “Activity Day”
● Garfield School Principal Nicholas Testa honored as Principal of the Year
● Dr. Addie Boyd appointed Vice Principal of Washignton School
● Two Master teachers on board to assist their peers in developing language arts and mathematics curriculum
● Jeffries & Company donation of $2,500 and books to Franklin School
● Sports legends visiting schools throughout the district through the generosity of the Newark YMCA
● Lincoln School students compete in Junior Olympics in Georgia
● New lights for the KHS stadium
● School participate in Marine’s “Toys for Tots” program
● Schools raise funds for the needy during the holiday season
● Kearny Fire Department teaches pre-schoolers Fire Safety
● Franklin’s Tom Whetstine receives Outstanding Teacher Award
● VFW honors Jeannie MacConchie and Tom Whetstine as Educators of the Year
● Kearny Municipal Alliance distributes pencils with antidrug message to each student in the district
● KHS Academic Bowl students go on to state competition
● Educators from South Africa visit Garfield School
● Franklin School wins $5,000 in Coach of the Week contest. Coach Edwards from the Jets presents the check
● Roosevelt School PTA recognized nationwide as outstanding PTA
● KHS Boys Soccer Team, Group 4 champion; recognized as 13th in the nation
● Franklin 5th graders visit Panama Rain Forest through Interactive Television
● Rotary organization donates Websters Dictionaries to every third grader in the district
● Classroom Closeup visits KHS Japanese classes to produce a video documentary of the program
● Lincoln School conducts “Earth Day”
● District continues to receive competitive and discretionary grants that allow for additional programs and activities.
As you can see, the 2002-2003 school year is replete with many outstanding programs, activities, extracurricular activities and award-winning academic programs. As Superintendent of Schools, it is my privilege and pleasure to mention only a few of the many accomplishments of the district and I join with Dr. Librera in congratulating everyone who make these accomplishments possible - the administrators, teachers, staff and especially our wonderful students.
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