Mt. Ephraim BOE Members Urge Parents to Teach Kids Traffic Safety

By Leigh Anne Hubbs

NEWS Correspondent

“A Celebration of Excellence,” is what superintendent Joseph Rafferty called the new Student of the Month program, organized by Principal Michael Hunter of the Mount Ephraim School District.

September's winners were announced at the October Board of Education (BOE) meeting – kicking off the first-ever such program in the district.

Mary Bray Elementary School had one winner for each grade: Anthony Schepacarter (1st), Julie O'Brien (2nd), Christine Kirk (3rd) and Gregory Veach (4th).

Kershaw Middle School had one winner for each team: 6th grader Benjamin Doherty III, representing the 5th and 6th grades; and 7th grader Gary Czerski, representing the 7th and 8th grades.

In other business, BOE members said they were upset after two children from Kershaw School were hit by cars on Kings Highway and Davis Avenue.

Instructors have been working with students to help them to understand the importance of traffic safety.

Board members are encourage parents to speak to their children about using caution when walking to or from school, and to be extra careful when wearing head-phones or wearing wheelie shoes as they cross streets.

Mary Bray's Nicole Shapley was one of three teachers from the Mid-Atlantic region chosen by Office Max's “A Day Made Better” program rewarding the school with over $1,000 in teaching supplies.

Alexandra Kenney, program director of Shinning Star – the district’s before and after school child care provider – happily announced that enrollment is up from 35 to 44 students.

The program is increasing activities, and appreciates the donations of toys, games and books, as well as feedback from parents.

The School Board okayed a half day for Tuesday, December 8^th, due to a H1N1 vaccination clinic at Audubon High School from 1 to 7 p.m., servicing students from both the Mount Ephraim and Audubon school districts.

Board members congratulated students at Kershaw and Mary Bray schools for raising $9,405 during “Jump Rope for Heart.”

“Box Out Bullying,” an educational, live, theatrical program for students on the subjects of bullying and peer pressure, was presented at both schools.

The Police and Fire departments were notified prior to October 22’s lockdown drill at both schools.

The school district agreed to host students of Camden County College enrolled in Teaching in Learning Communities I, which requires one day per week, three hours a day, for a total of 20 hours of field experience over a seven- week period.

The Talent Club and Band Club, supervised by Mary Manion, have been approved as afterschool clubs for grades 5-8.

Mr. Hunter said the 4th grade is working on a project for the John West Senior Center.

Kershaw students are looking forward to gym shirts and, thanks to Martin Ware, order forms have been sent home.

Board Secretary Melissa Raywood said C&C Tree Experts did an outstanding job removing three dead and dying trees from behind Kershaw, which was completed on Columbus Day for a cost of $5,750.

The following were approved as substitute classroom teachers at a rate of $95 per day pending criminal history review: Bob Arcaini, Deborah Kelley, Julie Frasca, Michelle Sancchetti, and Jayne Ann Washart.

Also pending review, Lynn Brophy and Julie Frasca have been approved as substitute nurses at a rate of $125 per day.

The following field trips have been approved: 4th grade trip to the Wetlands Institute in Stone Harbor on May 21 from 8:15 a.m. to 4 p.m.; 5th grade trip to Historic Philadelphia on May 14 from 8:45 a.m. to 3 p.m.; 6th grade social studies trip to the Red Bank Battlefield in National Park on October 27 from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.; 6th grade science trip to CCMUA  in Camden on December 22 from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.; and the 8th grade trip to Washington D.C. on March 31 from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.