Gloucester City School Board Meeting Report for April
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
By Anne Forline
Gloucester City News
During the April Gloucester City Board of Education meeting, Cold Springs School principal Martin O’Connor proudly accepted a “Certificate of Appreciation” from the Camden County Department of Health & Human Services.
Cold Springs School was recognized for services provided to the community during the County’s 2009 H1N1 Influenza Vaccination Campaign.
O’Connor thanked the staff of Cold Springs School for their help with the campaign, especially the nursing and custodial staff.
Gloucester High School student representative Johanna James said that after many months of hard work and preparation, the musical, “The Wedding Singer” was performed for large audiences in March.
Senior Emily Bucher represented the school at Channel 6’s “Best of the Class” at Drexel University. Also, Angela Harris will be recognized at the Camden County Principal and Supervisor’s Dinner on April 23.
New members of the National Honor Society will be inducted on April 27 at 8 p.m. in the auditorium. On April 28, selected junior high students will hold an induction ceremony in the auditorium at 7 p.m.
On May 11 at the Camden County Freeholders meeting, several students will be recognized for awards, including:
Katie Jo McGoldrick (Community Service), Brittany Dolson (Leadership), Adam Ignaczewski (Most Improved Student), Cori Conner (Best Overall Student), Brandon Blackiston (Most Courageous Student), and Jacqueline Wei-chman (Performing Arts).
The Prom will be held at Auletto Caterers on May 13.
Student representative Jennifer Ribchinsky from the Highland Park Program for Success said that all of the faculty and teachers in her program are “like one big family.”
Jennifer is on track to graduate and works hard in her classes. After graduation, she plans to pursue studies in the cosmetology field. She strives to make her teachers, family and especially, her daughter, proud of her accomplishments.
Rylie Iaconelli, fifth grade student representative from Mary Ethel Costello School, has been learning about the American Revolution in Social Studies. She enjoys “Math Fact Friday” and the “Hour of Power,” where students prepare for the NJ ASK.
Rylie said that students at Costello participated in the “Jump Rope for Hearts” to benefit the American Heart Association.
Third grade student representative from Cold Springs School, Magdalene Kain, enjoys recess and all the special subjects at school. She noted that on April 1 the school participated in “Light it Up Blue,” where students and staff wore blue to help shine a light on autism.
Approximately 70 third grade students are attending test preparation to get ready for the NJ ASK.
Superintendent Paul Spaventa, noted that effective July 1, 2011, William O’Kane will serve as principal of Mary Ethel Costello.
Spaventa also indicated a motion was made concerning the refunding of current bonds for 2011.
Also, he spoke of the recent court case involving the underfunding of the state funding Reform Act formula. This affects 205 districts that were underfunded by $1.1 billion dollars by the state.
This is not an Abbott funding ruling. It is a ruling for all districts that are at a lower socio-economic level, he said.