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EDUCATION
Governor Murphy Supports Newark’s Summer EBT Program: Ensuring Nutritional Support for Students
Newark is enhancing student engagement and nutrition through city and school summer programs. Newark Summer Programs Foster Academic Enrichment and Nutritional Support. This summer in Newark, families have access to city and school programs aimed at keeping students engaged academically and well-fed. Over 6,000 public school students are participating in these programs, which include mandatory academic sessions and various recreational activities. Superintendent Roger León stresses the importance of helping students improve in math and reading while offering accelerated courses and internships to enhance their educational experience.
West Orange Student Receives Sharing Network Foundation Scholarship
NEW PROVIDENCE, NJ – The Sharing Network Foundation an organization that raises awareness of organ and tissue donation and transplantation, recently awarded scholarships to seven New Jersey high school students. Lavarra (LJ) Hines, a West Orange resident and recent Newark Academy graduate, received one of the scholarships. According to the foundation, “Scholarships are awarded by the Sharing Network Foundation for their passion and dedication to raising awareness of organ and tissue donation and transplantation. The 2024 graduates were presented with their scholarship awards at NJ Sharing Network’s headquarters in New Providence.” The Sharing Network Foundation’s scholarships are funded by the organization’s...
Coughlin: NJ Budget a ‘Win’ for Families, Seniors, Schools
WOODBRIDGE, NJ — The state’s new record-setting $56.6 billion budget for FY2025 earned praise from N.J. Assembly Speaker Craig J. Coughlin for its historic property tax relief and greater aid for schools and healthcare. Gov. Phil Murphy approved the state’s new $56.6 billion budget on Friday, June 28, two days ahead of a constitutional balanced-budget deadline that would have triggered a state shutdown.CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE FREE TAPINTO.NET NEWSLETTER About half of the FY2025 state budget, roughly $27 billion, “will provide property-tax relief,” directly or indirectly, Murphy said in a prepared statement. Coughlin (D–19th Dist.), who...
Jasmine Akauola Appointed Assistant Principal of Bedwell Elementary School
BERNARDSVILLE- At its Board of Education meeting on June 26, 2024, the Somerset Hills School District approved Mrs. Jasmine Akauola as Assistant Principal of Bedwell Elementary School for the 2024-2025 school year. Beginning her career in education in 2005, Akauola has taught Pre-K, 3rd grade, 5th grade bilingual, and K-12 ESL. Most recently she served as the Program Supervisor of World Languages and ESL/Bilingual Education for Rahway Public Schools. Akauola is an adjunct professor at Union College of Union County and is a new staff member of the Institute for Intensive English. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR...
Tearjerker video shows NYC fifth graders ‘clap out’ 93-year-old neighbor: ‘We love Claire’
This video never gets old. A 93-year-old woman who has spent years waving and blowing kisses to kids at the Staten Island school across from her home was left speechless last week when graduating fifth graders gave her an unforgettable farewell that’s made the rounds in a touching social media clip. Claire Moccia was overcome with emotion when she emerged from her house last Wednesday to find the scores of children she has watched grow up lining the street outside PS42R-The Eltingville School for their traditional “clap out” ceremony as they chanted “we love Claire.” “I love those children from kindergarten to graduation,”...
More Honors Roll Out for East Brunswick High School Grads
EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ - Well, it looks like you just can't keep a good Bear down! East Brunswick High School graduates continue their academic achievement at colleges and universities around the nation. Here are some of our local academic heroes:CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE FREE TAPINTO.NET NEWSLETTER Emma Perone graduated from Felician University in Lodi, NJ with a Bachelor of Science in Education with a minor in Biology. Emma had a 4.0 average in the Spring 2024 semester and was named to the Dean's List. Rose Byrne of East Brunswick graduated from Emmanuel College, Boston, where she received...
South Plainfield’s ‘Young Voices’ Perform at Prudential Center
SOUTH PLAINFIELD, NJ – Music students from Grant School recently performed in what will, for some, be the largest concert of their lives. On the evening of June 5, close to 100 South Plainfield students in fifth and sixth grade took part in the American Young Voices Concert held at the Prudential Center. Under the direction of Grant School Choral Director and Music Teacher Shannon Maddolin, they joined together with approximately 5,500 other students from second through eighth grade from throughout the New York and New Jersey metro area. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE FREE TAPINTO.NET...
Hillsborough Students Contribute to Success of SCVTHS at SkillsUSA Competition
BRIDGEWATER, NJ – Students from Somerset County Vocational & Technical High School (SCVTHS), including several from Hillsborough, competed in the SkillsUSA Championships, held in Atlanta from June 23rd to June 27th. SkillsUSA is a not-for-profit association that serves more than 300,000 middle school, high school, college and postsecondary students - and their instructors - in trade, technical, and skilled service instructional programs. The organization, supported by more than 600 companies, trade associations and labor unions, emphasizes respect for the dignity of work, ethics, workmanship, scholarship and safety.CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE FREE TAPINTO.NET NEWSLETTER Over 6,500 students...
Riker Hill Elementary School Principal Justin Toomey Announces Resignation
LIVINGSTON, NJ — Riker Hill Elementary School principal Justin Toomey has announced that he will be resigning from his position after five years of service to Livingston Public Schools (LPS). He will begin a new chapter of his career as the Superintendent of Schools in Hanover Township, whose board of education approved his appointment at its meeting on June 25.CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE FREE TAPINTO.NET NEWSLETTER “Thank you for your support and encouragement along the way,” he said in a letter to the Riker Hill community. “Thank you for trusting me to serve as your children's principal. Thank you for your extreme kindness and generosity, making me feel like the most appreciated principal ever. We have been through a lot in these five years, and I'm grateful to have been surrounded by all of you each step of the way.” Toomey’s last day with LPS is still to be determined. The district immediately began the search for a new principal for Riker Hill upon Toomey’s resignation and is hopeful that a new principal can be named prior to the start of the 2024-2025 school year. For more local news, visit TAPinto.net
New Roselle coach Tyrone Turner tells Rams to “go out and have fun” as he takes over program
New Roselle coach Tyrone Turner was the Co-Defensive Coordinator at Plainfield in 2023. (Photo: @CoachTyroneT on Twitter) Well, it looks like the Big Central coaching carousel has stopped for the time being. Tyrone Turner – who spent the past year as Co-Defensive Coordinator at resurgent Plainfield – has been named...
Meet the Montgomery High School Valedictorian and Salutatorian
The two top students of the MHS Class of 2024 — Valedictorian Arjun Sharma and Salutatorian Nicholas Kang — are long-time best friends and next-door neighbors. From left: Valedictorian Arjun Sharma and Salutatorian Nicholas Kang. Valedictorian Sharma, who is also vice president of the senior class, said he...
Scotch Plains-Fanwood UNICO Announces Scholarship Winners
SCOTCH PLAINS/FANWOOD, NJ - The Scotch Plains-Fanwood UNICO chapter recently awarded its annual scholarships to seven exceptional local high school students. Alexander Allegra, Thomas Barnes, Julia Flowers, Heather Sherman, and Grace Sweeney received UNICO Memorial Scholarships, which are awarded based on a combination of academic excellence, participation in extracurricular activities, civic engagement, and financial need. Students attending a four-year college or university received a $2,500 scholarship, and those attending a two-year post-secondary school received a $1,500 scholarship.CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE FREE TAPINTO.NET NEWSLETTER All of this year's scholarship winners attend Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School and were...
Record Number of Livingston Students Accepted to Region and All State Chorus
LIVINGSTON, NJ — During the 2023-2024 school year, the Livingston High School (LHS) Choir Program had a record number of singers accepted into the New Jersey Music Educators Association’s (NJMEA) Region (23) and All-State Chorus (14). These students competed via audition against singers from all over the North Jersey region, as well as the entire state, to gain admittance into these prestigious ensembles. Students in Region Chorus performed at a culminating concert in February, and students accepted into All-State Chorus will perform both in Atlantic City and at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) later next year.CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE FREE TAPINTO.NET NEWSLETTER A full list of students accepted to the All-State and Region Chorus can be seen below. NJMEA All-State Chorus (14) Benjamin Best Jesse CarmodyDOWNLOAD THE FREE TAPINTO APP FOR MORE LOCAL NEWS. AVAILABLE IN THE APPLE STORE AND THE GOOGLE PLAY STORE. Ella Chai Rhea Fernando Helen Hao Chenhao Luo Peter Min Aditya Mirchandani Aahaan Rathi Aanya Rathi Nikhil Tiwari Yaxuan Wang Jasmine Wang Alexander Yang NJSMA Region Chorus (23) Victoria Alfieri Jesse Carmody Rhea Fernando Alisa Gluhovsky Vincent Guo Helen Hao Sophie Kim Sheryl Liu Chenhao Luo Peter Min Aditya Mirchandani Samay Nistala Jenna Raiss Nikhil Rochlani Akshaya Shankar Rishabh Sinha Aimee Saju Tessa Thomas Nikhil Tiwari Emma Wang Yaxuan Wang Nisitha Wickramasinghe Charlize Xiao For more local news, visit TAPinto.net
Bliss Earns Chatham Historical Society Scholarship with her Essay on How Her Family Came from India and Grew Roots in Chatham
CHATHAM, NJ -- Karina Bliss has been announced as the recipient of the 2024 Margaret Keisler scholarship offered by the Chatham Historical Society for her essay: My Town by a River. The $1500 scholarship was presented to Bliss at her Chatham High School commencement exercises. The scholarship is named in memory of “Peg” Keisler, a lifelong resident of Chatham who was the Borough’s historian and dedicated educator.CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE FREE TAPINTO.NET NEWSLETTER As part of the scholarship process, students were asked to share their own stories. In her essay, Bliss recounted how her family, originally...
DBHS 2024 valedictorian and salutatorian
Academic achievements, a deep commitment to community service and leadership skills are a few qualities David Brearley High School students Nand Shah and Dennis Shestak share. These qualities, along with an admirable work ethic, have earned the two seniors the honor of being the school’s Class of 2024 valedictorian and salutatorian.
Mary Kay McMillin Early Childhood Center Installs Communication Board for Inclusivity thanks to Berkeley Heights Education Foundation Grant
BERKELEY HEIGHTS, N.J. – Thanks to a grant from the Berkeley Heights Education Foundation (BHEF), a new communication board has been installed at the Mary Kay McMillin Early Childhood Center. This board is designed to promote inclusivity by providing a clear and effective means of communication for all students, ensuring that every child can fully participate in playground activities. The grant proposal was prepared by Anthony Passalacqua, a Teacher of Special Education, and Suzanne Morley, a Speech-Language Pathologist. "We are eager to see the positive impact it will have on our students' experiences and interactions," said Passalacqua. "We sincerely appreciate the support of the BHEF grant, which has empowered us to enhance inclusivity within our school environment."CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE FREE TAPINTO.NET NEWSLETTER The BHEF is a nonprofit organization that raises funds to enhance educational excellence in the Berkeley Heights Public Schools. They sponsor programs that support innovative instruction, strengthen school-community ties, enrich students' appreciation for the arts and humanities, and augment technology resources throughout the district. For more information, visit BHEF's website. For more local news, visit TAPinto.net
Piscataway High School Graduate Wins 2024 Congressional Art Competition
PISCATAWAY, NJ -- Gabriella Freeman, a member Piscataway High School’s Class of 2024 was awarded First Place in the 2024 Congressional Art Competition. Freeman was honored with other high school artists at a reception with Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) at Middlesex College for her pen and ink drawing, "Trust and Connections."CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE FREE TAPINTO.NET NEWSLETTER Her artwork will be displayed for the next year in the United States Capitol Building in Washington, D.C. According to a news release, young artists from various schools in Middlesex and Monmouth counties participated in this year’s art...
A New Era in Education: Blanquita B. Valenti Community School
In early 2020, a search for the perfect place to build the new Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey/Jack & Sheryl Morris Cancer Center led the New Brunswick Development Corporation (DEVCO) to 165 Somerset St., home of the overcrowded Lincoln Annex School. In exchange for the property, DEVCO negotiated with the project’s major partner, RWJBarnabasHealth, to commit $55 million to build a new school at nearby 50 Jersey Avenue on land donated by the chair of the RWJ University Hospital board and developer Jack Morris.
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