[Music] Heat. Heat.
[Music] All right, I love this. If you can hear me, clap once. If you can see me, clap
twice. If you're ready, clap three times. Nice. All right. As I promised, today is a big day here at LMS. And you can see, right? So, we are very fortunate. We have a select
group of jazz ensemble that are here to play for us this morning cuz we're waiting for a few of our people to find their seats. So, we're going to listen to our um select jazz band, Mr. Kilgore. Are you ready over there? All right,
let's go. Let's hear it. [Applause] There we go. [Music]
Heat. [Music] Heat. [Music]
Heat. [Music] Heat. [Music] Heat. [Music]
[Music] Heat. [Music] Heat. [Music] [Music] [Music] Heat.
Woo! Come on everybody. Let's hear for our jazz band. Amazing. Sounding amazing. Great job. So, as you can see, LMS, we have a lot
of distinguished guests and I would like to thank Commissioner or Commissioner of Education for being here. You're going to hear from him shortly, but first you're going to hear from our superintendent, Dr. Clim. Thank you. Thank you, Principal Malowski. It's my
pleasure to introduce some invited guests who are here today with us for this great assembly. I'd like to ask everyone to please hold your applause to the end and when I call your name, please stand. from legislative district
15. Senator Turner, Assemblywoman Berina Reynolds Jackson, Assemblyman Anthony Varlli, [Applause]
please hold your claps if you don't mind. Uh, Richard Boza, our executive director of the New Jersey Association of School Administrators. Melanie Schultz, director of governmental relations at the New Jersey
Association of School Administrators. Colleen Escow, senior director of public policy at the New Jersey Children's Foundation. Tina Deair, secretary treasurer of the New Jersey Education Association.
Nicholas Diaz, deputy director of the New Jersey School Boards Association. Mary Bennett, member, New Jersey State Board of Education over here. Also, we have Laura Consul, Chief of
Staff. Daryl Minus Vincent, Mercer County Executive Superintendent. Jordan Schiff, assistant commissioner for the Division of Teaching and Learning Services. Chris Jones, director of the Office of
Legislative Affairs. Peter Mazagatti, director of the office of educator effectiveness. Leanna Burks, education specialist in the office of educator effectiveness. But lastly, and certainly not least, I'd
like to introduce our district guests that are here with us today. We have Michelle Bose, president of the new of our school school board. Pepper Evans, Pepper Evans, vice president members Joanne Groger, McKenzie Kelly,
and Diana Pasculi, Vanessa Barsiac, assistant superintendent. Neil Desai, assistant superintendent. Tom Eldridge, business administrator. Shawn Fry, director of personnel.
Allison Fiser, director of school counseling and student supports. Mary Pankost, instructional supervisor. Nicole Sassay, special education supervisor. Jennifer Baldeseri, director of communications.
Adrienne Waser Leeben, assistant principal here at LMS. Michelle D'Angelo, Lawrence Township Association President. >> They can clap now. [Applause] [Music]
[Applause] [Music] [Applause] Nice job, everyone. There's one more person I am excited to introduce to you. Our next guest is the person who leads
the New Jersey Department of Education, the state agency that works behind the scenes to help schools succeed. Before becoming commissioner, he worked at Ruckers University as a researcher and leader at the Heldendrick Center for
Workforce Development, where he studied jobs, careers, and education. He has also spent more than 15 years working at the New Jersey Department of Education, leading many offices and even stepping
in as an interim commissioner twice. Most recently, he is in charge of the schools of the state schools funding, making sure billions of dollars every year are spent on schools in New Jersey.
This money helps pay school teachers, buy supplies, runs programs, and make sure that every student has what they need to learn and grow. As commissioner, he helps to set education rules and policies. and he is also the team that
helps support school leaders and teachers to make sure all students have great success and an excellent education like the one you receive right here in Lawrence Middle School. So, please give a warm welcome and applause for our New
Jersey Commissioner of Education, Kevin Damer. [Music] So, thank you everyone. I know it's morning and you're just waking up. So, I'm very happy to be here and thank you for inviting me. I just want you all to
know everywhere I grow go, all of these people follow me. So, this is just typical day for me. Um, I also especially want to call out uh Senator Turner, Assemblywoman Reynolds J uh Reynolds Jackson, and Assemblyman Varelli for joining us. That's it's
amazing to have them join us. And over here, uh, Mary Bennett with from the state board of education. So again, thank you all. And I have a really, really important thing I want to get off my chest and I just I really need your help with it. And there is a question
that's been going around the state. Everywhere I go, people are talking about it and trying to get it straight. And you hear about it on the news, every conversation you have. Typically, uh, you don't get asked about this till you turn 18. But you're here now and I
really want to get an answer to it. Does anybody know what I'm talking about? >> Yeah, that's right. Is it Tik Tok or Instagram? >> Tik Tok. >> All right. So, we're gonna have a little competition. First, I want to hear it
for Instagram. >> Anybody? [Applause] [Music] [Applause] It's a little less than I expected. What
is it? Tik Tok then. Anybody? Tik Tok. [Applause] All right. I think that's what I thought. Tik Tok obviously the big one. Uh, anybody here
use Facebook? No. Not anymore. Right. Couple of people. All right, thanks everyone. So, social media is obviously a big part of our world and it can be a lot of fun. You learn new things, you stay connected with your
friends and even discover your next hobby. But here's the thing, social media can be awesome, but it can also be tricky. Sometimes people post things that aren't true. Sometimes it can make us feel left out or that we're not good enough. And sometimes it can even be
unsafe if we're not careful about who we're talking to or what we're sharing. So, I want you to remember three simple rules. First, think before you post. And you can think to yourself, would it be okay if my teacher saw it or my grandma?
So, keep that in the back of your mind before you post. Second, protect your privacy. Don't share your full name, your school, or your location with anybody you don't know. And the last one, and this one's really important,
just be kind. You don't have to be mean online. If you wouldn't say it to somebody's face, don't say it online. So, I know recently your school has instituted an away for the day policy.
So, this is not a punishment. It's to protect your focus, your friendships, and your mental health. And I know it can be hard and make you feel a little bit disconnected at times, but here's why it's important. When your phone is away, your brain gets a break. You talk
more, you learn more, and you feel more present while you're at school. And guess what? The internet is still going to be there after school. Look, I'm definitely not saying phones are bad. I'm just saying there's a time and a place. And here at school, it's time to
learn, grow, and be present. There's a whole world beyond screens. Sports, drawing, music, hanging out with friends, or even just, get this, going outside. So here at Lawrence, I know you've been working very hard to support everyone's
social and emotional needs, creating a caring student centric environment that helps build confidence, manage challenges, and of course make good choices. That's why about two weeks ago, your annual assembly about week of respect
included an emphasis on learning to use technology responsibly and safely. Now all of this is summed up very very well and perfectly by the cardinal code. Be respectful, be responsible, and be
ready. So on that note, I'm going to shift gears just a little bit uh because we have a very very special guest here joining us today and I want to thank you all for having the for inviting me and uh for all
joining me. but she's the real reason that you're here. Dr. Jane Foley came all the way from Santa Monica, California. She came in last night, representing the Milin Family Foundation. The Milin Family Foundation has been a friend and supporter of
education since 1987, long before you were born. Dr. Foley is a product of Chicago public schools. She earned her doctorate at Purdue University and was a teacher and principal in Indiana for 24 years before moving to California to join the
foundation. So, please help me welcome our very special guest, Milin Family Foundation senior vice president, Dr. J. [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause]
Hello, Lawrence Middle School. Hello. [Applause] It's a pleasure to travel from California and share this assembly with you. As you just heard, my name is Jane Foley. I work at the Milin Family
Foundation in Santa Monica, California. Okay, you probably don't know anything or much about the Milin Foundation, but in California, we heard about the excellence in your school. Wow. In my job, I travel around the whole country
visiting schools, but this is our only stop in the state. And we also heard you have great students here at LNS. Is it true? [Applause]
Then I'm glad I just traveled 3,000 miles to hear it from you firsthand. Congratulations and keep it up. I'm here for two reasons. First, to communicate a very important message, and second, to share some exciting news we've been
keeping a secret. The message is about the critical role that teachers and principles play in our society. At the Milin Foundation, we believe educators have the most important job in our country because they have the responsibility of preparing all of you
for a bright future. research and our own personal experience tell us the single most important school related factor determining how much you learn, it's the quality of the teachers you encounter every year. Think for a
moment of your favorite teachers. Maybe it's here at Lawrence Middle. Maybe it was elementary. The good teachers make a difference. And in the spirit of paying tribute to the importance of educators, I'd like to take a moment right now at
this assembly to acknowledge the dedicated faculty at LMS for the work they're doing every day. Could all the teachers stand for a round of applause and the staff, the custodians, the kitchen workers, the aids.
[Applause] Yay. [Applause] Thank you. [Applause] Thank you for that. Those are the people that are working so
hard every day to give you the education you need to learn and succeed. Well, that applause was probably appreciated, but we don't clap and hold ceremonies for educators very often. We recognize excellence in the other professions. The
best athletes have most valuable player awards. Entertainers have Emmys. There's Oscars. In science and medicine, Nobel prizes. But our educators who have this most important job of all, they're teaching the people who had all the other awards. They're teaching all of
you. They haven't had that kind of a celebration. That's just wrong. And the people at the Milin Foundation set out to change that. That's why 39 years ago, a man named LOL Milin created an
initiative to honor outstanding educators. And it's called the Milin Educator Award. The Milin Award says in a very public way that greatness in education should be recognized too. that outstanding educators are the backbone
of every distinguished school such as this. And only if we elevate the teaching profession will talented young people like you here at Lawrence Middle consider a career in education.
One teacher during his or her career has the power to positively influence thousands of young people's lives. If you want to help shape the future, we ask you to think about becoming a
teacher. And that brings me to the exciting news. This school year, we'll be traveling all over the country presenting Milkin Awards to outstanding educators. There's many great teachers and principles in this country. And one
of the best teachers in the entire country is here in your school. [Applause]
And and before we leave and before we leave, a teacher at LMS is going to receive this national award. It's the only one in New Jersey this year. And the Milkin Award, it's so prestigious they call it the
Oscars of Teaching. So now that you know we're also here to present a national award to a teacher for excellence, you might wonder, okay, what does it mean? What's the teacher get? The first thing the teacher gets is
a big surprise because you can't apply. We don't accept nominations. You don't find us. We find you. We look, we search, we go all over the country to find the best of the best. And the best of the best for the Milin Award means
that this teacher has the potential to be a leader in education for decades to come. And this teacher is an unsung hero, doing extraordinary work, but relatively unknown beyond your school. That's going to change today because the
second thing the teacher gets is a lot of celebration and a lot of recognition evidenced by all these distinguished guests that are here today and the media is here today to cover it and we thank you for helping us share the good news
on Tik Tok and on Instagram. Next, the teacher joins a team. This is an elite allstar team with the other distinguished educators that received the award. There's more. The teacher
gets an all expense paid trip to come to Washington DC next June to be honored and to meet with the All-Star team. Oh, there's something else. When the teacher comes to Washington DC, the teacher will receive a financial award.
What is it if you got a financial award? >> Money. It means money. [Music] It does. It means money. Let's find out how much in the financial award. I think there was some I think
there were some students that were selected to help. If the students could come forward. All right, we're ready. So, you heard my name. Hey, we're all in red. Go LMS Nation. Okay, so you know my
name's Jane. Let's make sure everyone knows your names. So, tell us your name, your grade level. >> I'm Sebastian. I'm in eighth grade. I'm Grayson and I'm in seventh. >> I'm Logan and I'm in seventh.
>> I'm Sunny and I'm in eighth. >> I'm Maya. I'm an eighth. >> I'm Dylan. I'm an eighth. >> A lot of school spirit here at LMS Nation. Okay, Sebastian, do you like math? >> I love math. Oh, good.
[Music] Cuz we're going to take a little math pop quiz here in front of the whole school and help determine what we'll do for the financial award because we've got some cards. We have people who hold cards. So, let's start with a few cards.
>> Okay. So, what do we have here? >> 425. Oh, $25. >> $25. So, okay. What do we think about $25 for this financial awards? >> I think it's too low. >> I think you think it's low. Would I have
traveled 3,000 miles if it was going to be $25? >> I don't think so. >> I don't think so. All right. Let's add another card. >> Okay, Sebastian. Now, what? >> $250. >> What do we think? >> Uh, a little more. A little more.
>> A little more. A little more. No. Well, obviously he loves math. We have another person. We have another card. Should we use this other card? >> Yes. >> You're sure about that? >> Yeah. >> Let's use the other card. >> All right. What do we have? >> $2,500.
>> Would you want someone from the Milin Foundation to come to LMS and present $2,500 to a great teacher if you could do it? >> Of course. >> Of course. Wait, wait, wait. I think I said earlier this is one of the best
teachers in the entire country. Did Did I say that? >> Yeah, you did. >> I did say that. So, Commissioner Damer, could you find one more zero [Applause]
>> $25,000 >> $25,000 It is. Woo. It's $25,000. And And the It's $25,000. The teacher can use
the $25,000 anyway that he or she chooses. We wish we could come to LMS, present the Milkin Award to all the educators who've done so much. There's only one in New Jersey and we found an individual to represent the excellence
of your school, your state, and the whole country. Do you want to know who it is? Okay, let's find out. Let's find out. The commissioner has an envelope with gold writing.
Commissioner Damer, may I have the envelope, please? The milk and educator award goes to Janette Caprit. [Applause] Heat up
[Applause] here. We will we will hear 3 2 1 ready.
We'll hear from Mrs. Capiti in a moment, but right now she's a little shocked. So I know the commissioner would like to bring a greeting. >> Thank you. She needs a minute. So, we're going to give her uh So, you don't know this yet, many of you students, but
there is going to be that teacher, maybe two, maybe three, in your life that completely changed things for you. She's one of them. So, all of you lucky students that get [Applause] I have a feeling some of them over here
[Applause] and and that one teacher does something that you do and that is you give teach you give your students exactly what they need when they need it and you discover what's in them that they don't even
realize themselves and that is a definition of an amazing teacher. So congratulations [Applause] [Applause] [Music]
They love you. [Applause] There are some people we didn't meet in the beginning of the program. I would like you to meet them now. They're part of the Allstar team, the recipients of the award from previous years. If all of you could join us up here, our veteran
milk and educators [Applause] I'm Patty McGee. I'm from Harrington Park, New Jersey, and I am an educator. >> I'm Taylor Trust. I'm from Riverside,
New Jersey, and I won the award in 2023. >> Hi everybody. I'm Virginia Fusulo. I'm from Loi High School and I won in 2023. >> Hi, good morning. My name is Shaina Brener. I won the award in 2022 and I teach in Jackson, New Jersey.
>> Good morning everyone. I am Lindsay Forever. I won the award in 2016 and currently am a principal in Somerville, New Jersey. >> Hi, my name is Nikki Silva. I won the award in 2018 and I teach in Carterette, New Jersey.
Good morning everyone. My name is Dr. Renee Richardson. I won the award in 2008 and I'm currently a principal in the East Orange School District. And at the time of my award, I was a teacher in the district. >> Good morning everyone. My name is Robert O'Donnell. I won the award in 2013 and I
teach middle school science in my hometown of Jersey City. >> Good morning and congratulations. My name is Beverly Plene. I received the award in 2003. I was a teacher at Crescal Junior Senior High School. Most recently, I worked at the New Jersey Department of Education as the director
of standards. >> Good morning. My name is Dan Williver. I'm a history teacher at Ramsey High School in Bergen County and I received the award in 2019. >> Hi, good morning. My name is Patrick O'Neal. I won the award in 2012. I currently am an assistant principal in a
middle school in Ocean Township in Mammoth County. >> And good morning. My name is Emily Litz. I won the award in 2024 in Scotch Plains, New Jersey. And I just want to take this moment as last year's recipient to congratulate you. Um, it's
a blur right now, but take in this moment. You will never forget it. And one thing I'd like to say is you are worthy of this award. You are deserving of this award. Um, and welcome to the Milk Milin family.
[Applause] And I'm I'm very honored to say that I'm a recipient of the Milk and Educator Award. I won my award in the last millennium in 1994
when I was a principal in Indiana. So on behalf of in on behalf of Indiana, New Jersey, and the network all across the country, we welcome you into our national family of excellence. [Applause]
and we want we want we wanted to thank you for choosing education for your career. Now, she didn't know that she was going to speak in front of the whole school today, but I think we should hear from Mrs. Capri. [Applause]
I apologize. Love you. Love you. I apologize. I don't know how articulate this is going to be. I'm in a state of shock for sure. Um, I've wanted to be a teacher since I was 3 years old. When I started preschool, I
thought it was the most magical place in the world. I loved that I could go somewhere and learn new things and talk with my friends and discover new information. And I went home that first week of school and I told my parents, "This is what I want to do." And every year, you know, I went to kindergarten.
I want to be a kindergarten teacher. And third grade, I want to be a third grade teacher. This has always been the dream. And when I did my student teaching here in Lawrence Middle School, this really, really became the dream. I fell in love with this school. I fell in love with
this district. And coming here every day, driving down the road, knowing that this is my building, it is not lost on me. What a privilege that is. And what a what an honor it is to do this and to work with the wonderful colleagues that I have in this
incredible district under administration that I really respect. And the part that makes it worthwhile and that makes it incredible and worth doing every single morning is all of you. And I love my students. I love my
eighth graders from last year. [Applause] I already love my seventh graders from this year and I just could not be more grateful to work with all of you across houses across this district. Teaching is the
best job in the world. I am beyond honored to be up here with so many allstars and I uh I can't thank you enough. Thank you. Thank you. [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause]
I wanted to acknowledge our state coordinator Nancy Basant for all your help with selections and and and to thank our treasure partner, Commissioner Damer, for being here for us today.
Today we're honoring Mrs. Prei, but in doing so, we aim to shine the spotlight on everyone here, all the students, all the staff. Students, I want to thank you for helping us thank a teacher today in grand fashion. And I have a favor to
ask. Keep it going. After today, continue to think about those teachers that helped you and made a difference. Find them, email them, call them, text them to say thank you. Congratulations to everyone. [Applause]
So, I promised you a good morning, right? I told you it was going to be a good day. Um, I just want they need to know our power clapping here. So, I want to thank the commissioner, all of the department head that's here. Um, we want to thank
our legislators for being here and taking the time out and all of our former winners. So, let's give when I say dignitaries, you're going to give a double power clap. Ready? Dignitaries. Dignitaries. Dignitaries. When I say education, we're doing double clap.
Education. Education. Miss Capriti. [Applause] I hate to say it, it's lunchtime, so we got to go back to class. We will be out and about. We're going to probably visit your classroom. Uh Mr. Kilgore, I
want to thank you guys again. And if you can um play some music on our way out. We're gonna start with a You guys are gonna stay actually. We're gonna start with Orion walking out, please. [Applause]
[Music] Heat. [Music] [Applause] Heat.
[Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] [Music]
Beat it. [Applause] That way it [Music]
Yeah. Heat. [Music] Heat.
[Music] Heat. [Music]
Heat. [Music] Heat. [Music] Eight
[Music] stays. [Music] Come over here.
[Music] Go away. [Music]
Yeah. [Music] Yeah. [Music] Heat. Heat. N.
[Music] Heat. [Music] Heat.
[Music] Heat up [Music]
here. All [Applause] right. So, [Applause]