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RVCC engineering students' project light up the night in Hillsborough

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Helping the public gain a better understanding of fireflies during Duke Farms’ recent “Firefly Festival” are, from left, RVCC graduate Deidre Supple, a former Duke Farms employee and current Rutgers University student; Anthony Sibaja; and Alec Mulder. RVCC Team member Alec Zarzor is not pictured

Raritan Valley Community College Engineering students helped the public gain a better understanding of fireflies during Duke Farms’ recent “Firefly Festival.”

The students, Anthony Sibaja of Bridgewater, Alec Mulder of Bridgewater and Alec Zarzor of Scotch Plains, had created firefly simulators out of bamboo sticks for the public to use during the annual festival conducted on July 13 and 14 in Hillsborough.

Working as part of RVCC’s Authentic Engineering Experience, the three-student team had been engaged by Duke Farms Foundation to develop and deliver firefly simulators that were “green” and sustainable, using natural materials and no batteries. The RVCC team developed simulators for five firefly species, accounting for the variances in color, pattern and timing of the “lights” of the actual species. The flashing of the firefly lights was simulated by LEDs powered by battery-free “green energy,” which was created by shaking the simulator to move a magnet through wire coils.

 Approximately 1,700 people attended each night of the two-night Festival and all ages tried out the simulators. Pleased with the RVCC students’ effort, Kate Reilly, manager of Education at Duke Farms, said the team’s work was an “educational highlight of the year and directly aligned to Duke Farms’ mission statement: ‘to serve as a model of environmental stewardship, and to inspire our visitors to become informed stewards of the land.’”

Through team-based challenges, students participating in RVCC Professor Peter Stupak’s Authentic Engineering Experience are introduced to real-world problem solving. Students team in groups of two to four to make a product for an actual customer in one semester. Working with the customer, students design a prototype, made changes based on feedback, and deliver the product on deadline. The hands-on projects are funded by the RVCC Foundation.

For additional information about RVCC’s Authentic Engineering Experience, contact Peter Stupak, Professor of Engineering and Physics, peter.stupak@raritanval.edu.

Baldwin Wallace University

The following Central Jersey residents received their degrees in May from Baldwin Wallace University in Berea, Ohio: Meghan Cordier of Skillman, bachelor's degree in music theatre, cum laude; Matthew Koskinen of Bridgewater, bachelor's degree in economics.

READ:The good things students are doing in Central Jersey and beyond

READ:Education news from around the region

COLLEGE CONNECTION:Advice from local expert columnist

Bates College

The following Central Jersey residents received their degrees on May 27 from Bates College in Maine: Alyssa Alexander of Lambertville, bachelor's degree in politics and minoring in Spanish and history, magna cum laude; Connor Cahill of Princeton, bachelor's degree in economics and minoring in German and history; Belle Hutchins of Westfield, bachelor's degree in environmental studies; Arnaldo Contreras of Plainfield, bachelor's degree in politics.

Berkeley College

At Berkeley College, faculty in several disciplines successfully engaged students in immersive learning experiences using virtual reality (VR) technology in the classroom. Using Google Cardboard Headsets and their own mobile devices, students were immersed in a variety of learning activities ranging from a virtual field trip in North Korea to practicing public speaking techniques in front of a computer-generated audience.

In a survey among 53 student respondents, 79 percent felt more engaged with the course materials when using virtual reality and a similar number of students felt VR enhanced their learning experience.

Berkeley College students use virtual reality technology to engage with course materials in a completely new way. Below (left to right): Members of the Berkeley College Virtual Reality Faculty Interest Group include: Azam Rahman, School of Health Studies; James Pacello, Developmental Education, EdD; Esteban Rodriguez, Syleecia Thompson, DBA, Management, Larry L. Luing School of Business®; Judit Torok, Humanities and Social Studies, School of Liberal Arts, and Director, Teaching and Learning Commons; Victoria Ghilardi, Instructional Design Assistant, Teaching and Learning Commons; Matthew LaBrake, Senior Director, Online Library and Technology Services; Darshan Desai, PhD, Management, Larry L. Luing School of Business; Rahul Bedi, PhD, Chair, Management, Larry L. Luing School of Business; Valbona Gjoligaj, Management, Larry L. Luing School of Business; Anthony Girardo, Management, Larry L. Luing School of Business, and Assistant Director, Teaching and Learning Commons.

Members of the Berkeley College Virtual Reality Faculty Interest Group used free mobile applications such as WithinVR, NYT VR, Discovery VR, Jaunt VR and YouTube VR in courses that included Foundations of Critical Writing, International Business and Global Business Management, Career and Business Essentials, Medical Terminology, International Banking and Finance, Public Speaking and Model UN Crisis Management during the winter 2018 semester. All seven faculty reported positive experiences among the students and agreed that they would use the technology again.

Berkeley College has campuses in New York and New Jersey, including in Woodbridge.

Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania 

The following Central Jersey residents received their academic degrees on May 12:  Johnathan Camargo of Branchburg; Heather Chernoff of Scotch Plains; Lorraine Giana of High Bridge; Ryan Hummer of Bridgewater; Daniel Lamberta of Flemington; Brett Lelie of Lambertville; Katherine Matassa of Bridgewater; Kate Mochnacz of Hillsborough; Brianne Pizzigoni of Middlesex; Joanne Powser of Branchburg; Alexis Renshaw of Asbury; Jessica Riley of East Windsor; Emily Roberts of Whitehouse Station; Tracy Rusen of Martinsville; Kylie Ryan, Taylor Trivigno of Flemington.

Bridgewater Garden Club

On June 5, the Bridgewater Garden Club presented its 2018 Achievement Awards to two graduating seniors enrolled in the Agricultural Science Program at Somerset County Vocational and Technical High School, Bridgewater. Based on their grades and teacher recommendations, the Club presented $500 awards to Elizabeth Dietrich, Green Brook and Daniel Stracquadaine, North Plainfield.

Dietrich, in addition to her activities on campus, had earned a Future Farmers of America (FFA) State Degree working more than 2,250 hours beyond class time with an additional 50 hours of community service. She was the county FFA president, belonged to the National Honor Society and the school’s Robotics/Engineering Team as well as being a 4H member. She has been accepted into the Honors Program at Raritan Valley Community College.

Stracquadaine is headed to the University of Maine to study Sustainable Agriculture, perhaps applying his college degree and successful home gardening experiences to future homesteading. At Vo-Tech he effectively transitioned the school’s hydroponic system into an aquaponics system.

While the Bridgewater Garden Club is proud of its current and past award recipients it looks forward to next year when possible expansion of the program will be considered.

Centre College

The following Central Jersey residents at Centre College in Danville, Kentuck,y were named to the winter/spring dean's list: Injee Hong of Belle Mead and Olivia Kane of Flemington. Students must have a grade-point average of 3.60.

Clarkson University

The following Central Jersey residents received their degrees this past winter and summer from Clarkson University in New York: Ricardo Pacheco of Basking Ridge, doctor's degree in of physical therapy; Aadhilakshmi Balasubramanian of Belle Mead, bachelor's degree in financial information and analysis, project management minor, economics minor and in innovation and entrepreneurship.

Connecticut College

The following Central Jersey residents received their degrees on May 20 from Connecticut College in New London, Connecticut: Madeline Dorothy Grey of Bernardsville, bachelor's degree in music and technology; Noah Ahmed Alsamadisi of Bridgewater, bachelor's degree in botany; Paolo A. Sanchez of Piscataway, bachelor's degree in film studies; Julia Faith Horowitz of Warren, bachelor's degree in history; Ann Corby Weinhoffer of Gillette, bachelor's degree in English, dean's list.

ALSO: The following were named to the spring dean's list: Julia Jarvis of Basking Ridge, Emily Kim of Bedminster, Madeline Grey of Bernardsville,  Lauren Pianucci of Glen Gardner, Evan O'Donnell of Princeton.

Drew University

The following Central Jersey residents received their bachelor's degrees from Drew University in Madison: Faith Adogame of Princeton; Joseph Afanador of Middlesex; Angelina Arcure of North Plainfield; Michael Clancy of Westfield; Erin Connors, Keith Costello of Fanwood; Christian Dahl of Bridgewater; Julia Gehringer of Basking Ridge; Filipe Goncalves, Luis Goncalves of Warren; Lauren Gonnelli of Berkeley Heights; Chelsea Hamilton of Flemington; Kenna Jackson of Warren; Klint Kaevalin of Fanwood; Michaela Keegan of Far Hills; Nicole Knyfd of Basking Ridge; Colin Kreder of Flemington; Angelica Neer of Middlesex; Melanye Nunez of Manville; Justina Parenti of New Providence.

ALSO: The following were named to the spring dean's list: Julia Gehringer, Luis Muncharaz Duran of Basking Ridge; Charlotte Grimm of Bernardsville; Samantha Depierro, Robert Juall of Bound Brook; Christina Christodoulou, Hunter Muratore of Branchburg; Keith Costello, Klint Kaevalin of Fanwood; Michaela Keegan, Angad Singh of Far Hills; Sarah Gass, Chelsea Hamilton of Flemington; Mason Scher of Frenchtown; Colton Berry of Green Brook; Matthew Ludak of Lambertville; Angelica Neer of Middlesex; Kara Dobias, Lloyd Goldstein, Peter House, Justina Parenti, Jamie Riffel of New Providence; Angelina Arcure, Christian Duncan of North Plainfield; William DeJianne of Piscataway; Nia Dove of Plainfield; Faith Adogame Brian Cerri of Princeton; Laura Benegas of Somerville; Brent Lincoln, Melissa Viana of Stockton; Michael Clancy, Zackary Rodrigues of Westfield; Joanna Marton of Whitehouse Station. Students must achieve a grade-point average of 3.6.

ALSO: The following were named to the landmark academic honor roll: Baseball: Brent Lincoln of Stockton, Zach Lipshitz of Scotch Plains; men's tennis: Lloyd Godlstein of New Providence and women's tennis: Maria Navas Espinal and Cristina Riccio of New Providence. Student athletes must achieve a grade-point average of 3.20. 

East Carolina University

The following Central Jersey residents received their degrees from East Carolina University in North Carolina on May 4: 

Bernards: Nicholas Giannone, bachelor's degree in finance

Bridgewater: Rachael Terracciano, bachelor's degree in exercise physiology and nutrition and dietetics

Califon: Evan Vaccarella, bachelor's degree in criminal justice

Clinton: Michael Mastrobattista, bachelor's degree in economics

Flemington: Carli Wilson, bachelor's degree in communication; Evan Boelter, bachelor's degree in sport studies

Middlesex: Gary Lavenia, bachelor's degree in education; Danielle Ulrichny, bachelor's degree in communication

New Providence: Todd Lessing, bachelor's degree in construction management

Ringoes: Marissa Flood, bachelor's degree in accounting and marketing

Somerville: John McIntyre, bachelor's degree in finance

South Plainfield: Carly Kensey, bachelor's degree in psychology.

Green Mountain College

Owen Zecca of Glen Gardner received a degree during the commencement ceremonies on May 12 from Green Mountain College in Poultney, Vermont.

Hunterdon County Polytech Career and Technical School

The winning streak continued for five students from Hunterdon County Polytech’s Teacher Academy and Early Childhood Education Program who competed at The National Conference of the Family Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) in Atlanta this summer. The students all qualified for this national event by winning gold in their respective categories at the state-level conference, held this past spring. They continued to impress on the national stage.

Left to right (top) at the National Conference of the FCCLA are Polytech students and award winners: Madison Trevaskiss, Meadow Jacobson, Alyssa DeBiasio, (bottom) Rosa Castaldo and Heather Kelly.

At the national conference, four Polytech students earned gold.

Alyssa DeBiasio and Heather Kelly in the Focus on Children Event: They created a display board and a presentation depicting a lesson they had previously taught to second grade students at Robert Hunter School on healthy habits for a healthy heart.

Rosa Castaldo and Meadow Jacobson in the Chapter Service Display Event: They presented on a service project they executed for the community titled “The Magic of Reading.” As part of this project, they partnered with Hunterdon County Library to create reading groups for young children. They also tutored students at Desmares Elementary School and taught a lesson for preschoolers at Polytech’s Kinder Magic.

In addition, Madison Trevaskiss took home silver in the Early Childhood Event. She created a resource box prior to competition, which she filled with art and school supplies. On site, she pulled from this box to prepare a 10-minute lesson. She also created a portfolio ahead of time, which she presented to the judges.

“Each of our students impressed the judges with their knowledge, preparation and poise,” said Natalie Guarino, early childhood and Teacher Academy instructor and advisor for Polytech’s FCCLA Chapter. “I am confident that our curriculum provided these students with the foundation to succeed – and truly shine – at nationals, but then the students went the extra mile to prepare and perfect their presentations. I could not be prouder of them.”

The National Conference of the Family Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) also included workshops, specialized trainings and leadership opportunities for participants.

Learn more about Polytech’s Teacher Academy and Early Childhood Education Program by visiting www.hcpolytech.org/.

Johnson State College

The following Central Jersey residents received their degrees on May 19 from Johnson State College in Johnson, Vermont: Nicole Friend of Bernardsville, bachelor's degree in psychology; Lucas Sisko of High Bridge, bachelor's degree in media arts.

The ceremony marked the last graduation for the campus under the name Johnson State College. The school officially joined with Lyndon State College on July 1 to become Northern Vermont University.

Kangaroo Kids

Kangaroo Kids in Branchburg recently celebrated 27 years of being leaders in education at its annual family carnival. All new this year a drone flew overhead to document the event. There were games, food and activities for the whole family complete with a special visit from Sparky, the Somerset Patriots mascot, and hugs from Kanga the Kangaroo. Families enjoyed a performance by the Robotics Team and Gifts from Dr. Oz and local sports teams.  

And, what carnival would be complete without pony rides and cotton candy.

The Grand finale of Kangaroo Kids Family Carnival was to create a human puzzle piece in support of Autism Speaks!

Community members, Kangaroo Kids families and teachers worked throughout the school year to raise money through bake sales, Jean Days, and special events, culminating with the family carnival. Children at the school enjoyed a special day with their families and friends while supporting a worthy cause

A new government survey of parents suggests that one in 45 children, ages 3 through 17, have been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).  According to Autism Speaks, autism is the fastest-growing serious developmental disability in the United States, costing families an average of $60,000 a year. Kangaroo Kids Child Care and Learning Center donated $3,778.49 to Autism Speaks, “Julia’s Hope!”  

For information about Kangaroo Kids fall programs, call 908-231-7800 or like Kangaroo Kids Child Care Facebook page. Kangaroo Kids also will be hosting open house tours daily throughout September. 

Kent Place School

Nineteen high school students from New Jersey and New York spent five days engaged in learning the process for ethical innovation as part of the Ethics Institute at Kent Place School’s Ethical Leadership and Entrepreneurship program. The summer session took place at and was in partnership with the Feliciano Center for Entrepreneurship at Montclair State University.  

Kent Place Ethics Institute holds ethical leadership and entrepreneurship program.

Student participants spent their mornings hearing from guest speakers on topics such as ethics, marketing, branding, leadership, and innovation. They learned about different leadership approaches as they determined which style best suits their own personalities, as well as the benefits of collaborating in a group composed of people with differing leadership styles. Additionally, students were introduced to the concept of "disruption and innovation.”

“It was fascinating to watch the students develop their ideas through this very challenging innovation process,” said Dr. Karen Rezach, director of The Ethics Institute at the Summit-based Kent Place School. “The students needed to put ‘conventional thinking’ aside in order to create a human-centered design that would benefit society in a world that can now only be imagined. It was amazing! Our new partnership with Montclair State University’s Center for Innovation/MIX Lab was a fantastic opportunity for our ethics students, and will continue to be as we develop new and exciting entrepreneurial programs for the future.”

The Ethical Leadership and Entrepreneurship Program is an annual high school summer program offered through the Ethics Institute at Kent Place School. Visit https://www.kentplace.org/ethics.

Kutztown University of Pennsylvania

The following Central Jersey residents received their degrees from Kutztown University of Pennsylvania for the winter and spring:

Nicholas Baum of Hillsborough, bachelor's degree in marketing

Robert Anthony Bondura of Branchburg, bachelor's degree in accounting and  finance magna cum laude

Bonnie Louise Cerra of Lebanon, bachelor's degree in music

Dustin Thomas Ciano of Hillsborough, bachelor's degree in music education, magna cum laude

Sarah Lauren Clark of Branchburg, bachelor's degree in communication Studies

Sarah Dagnall of Pittstown, bachelor's degree in criminal justice, cum laude

Olivia P DiMeglio of Skillman, bachelor's degree in special education, magna cum laude

Jillian Daisy Figel of Basking Ridge, bachelor's degree in special education, cum laude

Kevin Alexander Gruning of Ringoes, bachelor's degree in criminal justice, summa cum laude

Max Hartman of Watchung, bachelor's degree in cinema, television and media production

Robert Hicks of Somerset, bachelor's degree in criminal justice

Corey Patrick Isbitski of Pittstown, bachelor's degree in communication studies

Audrey Labar of Milford, bachelor's degree in communication studies

Andrew Lafevre of Milford, bachelor's degree in political science and in criminal justice

Luke Matthews of Annandale,  bachelor's degree in sport management

Shannon McCray of Hillsborough, bachelor's  in special education, cum laude

Christopher Nealon of Lebanon, bachelor's degree in management

Sara Lizabeth Nicotra of Manville, bachelor's degree in English eduation, summa cum laude

John Michael Ozeransky of Bridgewater, bachelor's degree in management

Daniel Pepe of Annandale, bachelor's degree in special education

Alyssa Riker of Milford, bachelor's degree in sport management, summa cum laude

Michael Schmidt of Warren, bachelor's degree in sport management

Michele Kimberly Sonnet of New Providence, master's degree in social work

Caitlyn Stovel of Warren, bachelor's degree in accounting and finance

Blair Wagner of Berkeley Heights,bachelor's degree in elementary education

Kathleen M. Whalen of Flemington, bachelor's degree in elementary education, summa cum laude.

Mount Saint Mary Academy

Mount Saint Mary Academy, at the cutting edge of providing young women with the top-notch resources for financial literacy and independence for nearly 110 years, will establish a Bloomberg Financial Markets Lab on the academy's Watchung campus in the fall.

According to Karen Calta, assistant directress for academics and faculty, Mount Saint Mary Academy will be the fifth school in the New York Metropolitan area and the first all-girls school in New Jersey to offer the Lab from Bloomberg, a leading global provider of data, information and technology.

“This opportunity puts Mount Saint Mary Academy at the forefront of economic and financial education on the high school level,” Calta said.

“Mostly available in colleges and universities, the Lab is currently available in only five local high schools in New Jersey and New York,” she said. “The Lab is integrated into the existing curriculum through Economics, Financial Literacy and Data Analysis, and provides our students with the opportunity to engage in online and off-line use of the trading platform.”

Beginning this September, four Bloomberg Terminals will be installed in a classroom inside the Academy’s main building. These Terminals are integrated software platforms that provide financial, trading and pricing data, news, messaging, and more to leading business and financial professionals around the world.

The Bloomberg Financial Markets Lab enables educational support throughout the year to our students enrolled in economics classes. Mount students would be eligible to earn Bloomberg Certification by taking the Bloomberg Market Concepts (BMC) course and may be able to apply for internships at companies which use the Terminals.

Bloomberg certification, which involves approximately 10 hours of training, would ensure that students learn how to use the Terminals and would demonstrate how they can explore information about any corporation, enable networking and financial professionals, and examine economic data to perform data analysis.

Kathleen Brennan, Mount Saint Mary Academy Director of Mathematics who spearheads the school’s economics and financial literacy program, saod, “The skills that will be learned by using the Bloomberg Terminals are critical regardless of whether our students opt for careers in finance. It is an essential part of the Mount’s mission to make sure that our graduates know how to manage their money and take control of their financial futures.”

NJ Sharing Network

Two recent New Jersey high school graduates with a passion for raising awareness of organ and tissue donation were each awarded a $5,000 scholarship for the 2018-19 academic year.

Paige LeBlanc, 18, a North Burlington High School graduate from Columbus, was awarded Missy’s Miracle Scholarship, which was created in celebration of the 30th anniversary of Missy Rodriguez’s liver transplant. Missy was 10 years old when she had her liver transplant and wants people to understand that children are also affected by organ and tissue donation.

Zachary Roth, 19, a Hillsborough High School graduate received the Betsy Niles Scholarship. It is offered in memory of Betsy Niles, a children's book editor and lifelong resident of Montclair. Niles died in 2011 and, in keeping with her tradition of giving, her organs were donated. 

“Saving lives takes on new meaning when young people embrace it, and Zachary and Paige are two amazing examples,” said Joe Roth, president and CEO, NJ Sharing Network. “When Zach starts at Virginia Tech in the fall and Paige attends the University of Tennessee, we know they’ll continue to share the message of organ and tissue donation.”

For as long as she can remember, LeBlanc’s family has been involved in organ donation. Her cousin Sara was an organ donor at a young age, and her cousin Zach received three liver transplants by the age of 22. Living through these experiences left a lasting impression on LeBlanc — and a determination to raise awareness of organ and tissue donation.

Organ and tissue donation became the focus of her Senior Gold Award project, the highest honor in Girl Scouting. She created a podcast series by interviewing families touched by donation. She recorded a total of 28 podcasts and eventually created a Facebook page, a website and YouTube channel.

“I know firsthand that most awareness comes from knowing someone who is either a transplant recipient or a donor,” LeBlanc said. “I’m proud to bring real stories to life for those who otherwise wouldn’t have a connection to organ donation.”

When Roth lost his brother, his life changed forever. Inspired by a letter from one of his brother’s organ recipients, He found purpose in starting a Donate Life Club at his high school. He completed training to become a certified NJ Sharing Network volunteer and learned how to speak to others about organ and tissue donation. In his role as president of the Donate Life Club, Roth managed all volunteer and fundraising activities for the organization. Through that and other activities, he has raised thousands of dollars for organ and tissue donation awareness. 

“I’ll never forget the day my brother died,” said Roth, “and I’ll never forget the day I found a reason to live for him. Starting the Donate Life Club — and seeing how far it has already grown — tells me that I am doing something concrete to honor my brother’s life and to help others.”

In 2017, more New Jersey residents gave the gift of life than ever before, resulting in more than 550 lives saved. Every day, approximately three New Jersey residents are added to the transplant waiting list and last year nearly 100 people died while waiting for a transplant. One organ donor can save eight lives and one tissue donor can restore health to over 75 people. For more information, visit www.njsharingnetwork.org/.

Terumo Americas Holding Inc.

Dajhaun Bennerman of Piscataway is a winner of the Terumo Americas Holding. scholarship. Bennerman is majoring in criminal justice at Kean University. The Terumo American Holding scholarship program provides scholarships to sons and daughters of Terumo Medical Corporation associates who are enrolled or planning to enroll full-time in a college, university, or technical school program.  

Dajhaun Bennerman of Piscataway winner of the Terumo Americas Holding, Inc. scholarship.

Westfield Public Schools

Westfield students representing six different languages recently enjoyed a week-long summer camp focused on providing meaningful enrichment activities for students to continue their English language acquisition while having fun.

A Westfield 3rd grader wears a safety harness as he navigates a steel beam and explores the engineering and technology of skyscrapers during a visit to the Liberty Science Center as part of the ELL (English Language Learners) Summer Experience.

The ELL (English Language Learners) Summer Experience ran from July 9 to 13 at Wilson School, welcoming students in grades 1 to 4 whose native languages are Russian, Spanish, Mandarin Chinese, Korean, Turkish, and Azerbaijani.

Campers and their instructors Mercedes Poyntz and Jillian Martinez paid a visit during the week to the Liberty Science Center in Jersey City, with preceding lessons and activities on the senses, the solar system and other topics geared toward making the most of the trip.  

Westfield elementary students enjoy a visit to the Liberty Science Center as part of the ELL Summer Experience, a weeklong summer program that provides meaningful enrichment activities for students to continue their English language acquisition.

Enrique Pincay, supervisor of K-12 World Languages and ELL, says the ELL population in Westfield is small but diverse with 16 different languages reflected in the district’s student rosters.

“We embrace our cultural diversity and are cognizant of the richness it brings to our students and our educational community,” Pincay said. “The perspectives and cultures present in our schools not only provide our schools with an opportunity to celebrate our differences, but also help us educate all our students with a global mindset.”

ALSO: The Extended School Year Program for preschool through high school students in the Westfield Public School District is in its 16th year, with a continued focus on maintaining and strengthening academic skills through the summer to prepare students for the new school year.

Westfield teacher Dianne Smith leads 3-year-olds in an expressive version of “Five Little Ducks” during a preschool class at the Westfield Public School District’s  extended school year program.

The five-week, state-mandated ESY program is designed for students who have been identified as those who would benefit from additional instruction and related services during the summer.  Instructional specialists in reading, behavior/social skills, speech, occupational and physical therapy join special education teachers, paraprofessionals and a registered nurse in administering the program. Many of the ESY staff are longtime educators and aides with Westfield Public Schools.

Paraprofessionals Catherine Reo (left) and Catherine Sabatino work with early elementary students during the Extended School Year Program in Westfield Public Schools.

A total of 112 students are enrolled in the preschool through fifth grade program held at Wilson Elementary School. On any given day, you might find preschoolers and kindergartners painting in an Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) class, a third-grade class practicing short and long vowels, and first-graders learning about conflict resolution through an engaging ESY course called Peaceful Playground.

“I love working with the students and their families,” said Joanne Ryan, in her fourth year as supervisor of the ESY program. “If families are giving up their summers to enroll their children, ESY must be a dignified and comprehensive program that truly is an extension of the school year.”

Thirty students in grades 6-12 attend the ESY program at Westfield High School where they review and build upon their reading, writing and mathematics skills. Some students also receive related services as needed.

“ESY helps the students to maintain the skills they have learned during the school year and affords the students an opportunity to continue to work on their areas of weakness in a structured environment that promotes socialization,” said Andrea Lo, supervisor of special services for preschool to 12th grade.  

Student and School news appears on Fridays. Email:cnmetro@mycentraljersey.com