WEBVTT METADATA Video-Count: 1 Video-1: youtube.com/watch?v=V6HQrfZcbLM NOTE MEETING SECTIONS: Part 1 (Video ID: V6HQrfZcbLM): - 00:00:00: Rockaway Schools: A Welcoming and Effective Educational Environment - 00:07:53: Student Perspectives: Artwork, Recess, and Favorite Subjects - 00:10:51: Special Places: The Loving, Caring Staff's Dedication - 00:11:42: Reiterating Student Artwork, Family Atmosphere, Open Doors - 00:15:57: Copeland's Core Values and Student-Centered Teamwork Focus - 00:19:04: DVL's Kindness and Unconventional Methods for Success - 00:22:23: Motivating Students with Kindness, Resiliency, and Grit - 00:26:17: Reiterating Rockaway's Effective Educational Environment - 00:27:53: Public Meeting: Open Public Meetings Act and Resolutions - 02:22:08: Student Voices: DVL and Birchwood School Experiences - 02:25:21: Staff Passion, Community, and Special School Environments - 02:28:12: No Walls, Heart, and Community Values at Dwire - 02:29:19: Social-Emotional Learning, Guidance, and Staff Appreciation - 02:30:17: Instilling Values, STEAM, and Creating a Second Home - 02:33:38: Unique Students, Kindness, and Unconventional Student Growth - 02:36:25: Positive Growth Mindset and a Happy Place for Students - 02:38:11: PTA Support and the Power of a Strong Community - 02:40:54: Dwire Elementary: Focus on Family, Year After Year - 02:43:52: Teaching Without Walls, Embracing Social-Emotional Learning - 02:47:10: Embracing Teamwork and Preparing Students For The Future - 03:10:21: Recognition and Honoring of TREPS Program Students - 03:18:04: Ten Minute Intermission - 03:25:33: Public Comment Begins: Important Note From the Board - 03:27:26: Jamie Ripkkey: District Concerns and Rucker Program Removal - 03:30:39: Jackie Bader: Insurance, Transparency, and Rice Notices - 03:34:30: Jennifer Skolski: Board Authority and Contract Approvals - 03:37:27: Christine Grao: Copeland's Climate and Leadership Impact - 03:40:20: Michelle Castenbound: Acknowledging Fear and Lack of Action - 03:44:39: Anita and Maya Ripki: Copeland, Better Climate Change - 03:46:39: Jack Castimon: Community, Loss of Positivity, and Support - 03:47:51: Heather Batton: Impact on Relationships, Trust, and Stability - 03:51:27: Monica Estrada: Retaliation, Personal Preferences, and Questions - 03:53:25: Riley Batton: The Effect's on Students Due to Changes - 03:54:31: Kira Richmond: Principal is amazing, Support is needed - 03:55:54: Mika Bader: What Students Want Should Be Important - 03:57:33: Mouner Mamoon: Lack of Responsiveness and Zionist Israel - 03:59:09: Five Minute Recess - 04:04:02: Lisa Ginder: Prioritizing Health Care over Cuts to Programs - 04:06:58: Shane and Joe Ripkey: Past, Present, and Troubling Decisions - 04:11:35: Eliza Rose: Support for Recovery's Mental Health - 04:14:03: Puja Agarwal: Values, Safety, Community, Principal Supporter - 04:16:24: Carolyn Page: Academics Concerns in Addition to Socials - 04:19:04: The Value of a Safe, Kindness - 04:21:12: Student Experience and Educational Focus on Teachers - 04:22:50: Support the Community During a Moment of Impact - 04:26:24: A community That is in Agreement - 04:29:27: Why is this Happening and Stand up for the Children - 04:46:37: District Utilizes New Insurance Brokers to Save on Healthcare - 04:53:08: End of Public Comment, Meeting Action Items Begin - 05:02:18: New Public Comment is Open - 05:07:58: Motion to Adjourn, Show of Hands, Done Part: 1 1 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:15.599 I am the proud superintendent of Rockaway Township Public Schools. I was just waving to some of our wonderful students as they were walking by and I'm so happy and pleased to say that when I walk through these halls and talk to these students in these six different schools, I see students that are 2 00:00:15.599 --> 00:00:32.399 learning and having fun. And to me, those are two very important qualities of a very, very effective education. >> Virtu is very special because it is truly a family atmosphere. Students come back year after year. There's multi-generations that have attended 3 00:00:32.399 --> 00:00:48.000 Birwood. It is truly a loving community. It's such a wonderful place to be. >> Our core values are the same as Rockaway Township: Heart, honesty, empathy, acceptance, respect, and trust. So, we can focus on particularly on being kind. What >> really resonates with me about this 4 00:00:48.000 --> 00:01:05.280 school is that we put more value in developing personal growth versus comparison to others. Whether it be a difficult learning task or a challenging learning experience, they learn to persevere and we can bring out something in themselves that they might not have seen before. Stony Brook is an amazing 5 00:01:05.280 --> 00:01:20.560 place. It really is. And I think anybody who joins us, whether it's full-time or visitors in the building just for a day, uh, you know, I think echo that sentiment. Our staff is second to none. They really put the kids first all the time. And our students are exceptional as well. It's a wonderful school 6 00:01:20.560 --> 00:01:35.920 community. Our PTA is incredibly involved. Everything we do is well attended back to school nights, our events, and we have a very involved school community both academically working handin-hand with our teachers, but also I think for extracurricular as well. 7 00:01:35.920 --> 00:01:51.759 >> Every student who goes through Rockaway Township School District will graduate from Copeland before they go on to high school. And we have an opportunity to instill core values into our students, helping students develop into future leaders, into being positive role models and citizens in our community. Our 8 00:01:51.759 --> 00:02:07.360 mantra we live by is no walls, no limits because being a school with no walls uh provides our students a great sense of community. You just know you're walking into a special place when you come through our doors. >> What keeps me coming back here every morning? Hugs from kids. You know, I 9 00:02:07.360 --> 00:02:24.080 love being outside in the morning at bus duty and having kids coming up and just happy to see me. Teachers who I now share personal connections with because I've been here for 11 years as the principal. So yeah, I I think for me it's just being a part of something, being a part of the team. Uh we're all 10 00:02:24.080 --> 00:02:39.440 very different, but um but we we get along and you know, we support each other. >> Every morning I'm inspired by these children, their energy, their willingness to support and grow with one another is contagious. >> The people I work with makes me come 11 00:02:39.440 --> 00:02:56.400 back every single day. I hire a very unique and special educator and that permeates throughout the building. I have the easiest job in the world because I have the hardest working teachers in the world. >> The thing that makes Scopland Middle School so great is truly the people. It's the students. It's the staff. It's the community members. It's the parent 12 00:02:56.400 --> 00:03:11.760 involvement. It's the investment in making it a better place. >> I come here for the students. I love the kids here. They are amazing. They're the best part of my day. They're the best part of my week. That's why I do what I do. I'm proud to be the superintendent 13 00:03:11.760 --> 00:03:30.560 of Rockway Township Schools and we are thankful for all the support we have from our community. I truly believe in an educator being able to make a difference in the world. It's so important to have a positive 14 00:03:30.560 --> 00:03:46.400 environment for a child to come to and teaching at Dwire is special because we don't have walls. I think social emotional learning is very important. It gives us a chance to discuss our emotions and give kids a chance to 15 00:03:46.400 --> 00:04:02.239 practice that emotional dialogue and that helps the whole child. If you've never taught at another school and you come to Birwood, you honestly never want to leave Birchwood. You walk into this building and it's a family. We're all together. We're all happy. 16 00:04:02.239 --> 00:04:18.000 We're smiling. Nobody's cranky or miserable. We're here together for each other. One of the things that I love the most about this position and this job is that I get to work with students of all ages now that we house preschool students here. I see every single student in the building from preschool 17 00:04:18.000 --> 00:04:34.800 all the way through fifth grade. And I get to work with them on a deeper level on a way that inspires them not just to be confident in themselves but in what they love. After teaching for 25 years, I can't 18 00:04:34.800 --> 00:04:50.639 pinpoint one moment of time that is a story of why I come back every day. Any good lesson makes me feel alive. Going to the soccer games, the football games, seeing my students outside the classroom. I want the kids to feel at home and I feel the more comfortable 19 00:04:50.639 --> 00:05:07.120 that they are, the relationship that we build together, the better they're going to do in class. Not not only enjoy their time in class, but also take risks. It's a really great environment here at KDM. My co-workers are great. The students every day, they make me laugh. 20 00:05:07.120 --> 00:05:22.960 One thing that I really work on in my classroom is growth mindset. I did have a student that came in and really didn't like math. They were really negative self-talking, saying that they can't do this. And so, basically throughout the whole year, we worked on just changing that mindset. One of the things that I'm 21 00:05:22.960 --> 00:05:38.639 really hoping to teach them more than anything else is about kindness and you know being good friends to each other. One of my most favorite success stories is a particular student when you know he would come into the classroom even right first thing in the morning his head would be down on that desk. I've tried 22 00:05:38.639 --> 00:05:56.199 to instill intrinsic love for school, intrinsic love for education. And over time, I've seen him pick that head up and that's why I do what I do to have a kid come in and their school's a happy place for them and they want to come. 23 00:05:56.639 --> 00:06:12.319 So, we used to always start off with a growth mindset and we do a lot of lessons about how we are able to do things that might seem hard, like a harder task. And I think that if we really teach our kids to be resilient and show grit in the face of a harder 24 00:06:12.319 --> 00:06:28.160 task, then all the other academic challenges that they're faced with come a little bit easier. >> Our goal here is that every child is as comfortable in class as they are at home. And if they're ever in trouble, they're ever concerned or worried that they have the tools available to them to be successful and to help each other be 25 00:06:28.160 --> 00:06:44.720 as successful as we know they can be. We have really seen over the years an incredible increase in their emotional maturity and in their abilities to deal with issues both in the playground and in the classroom. And I really believe it's because our district's focus on 26 00:06:44.720 --> 00:07:05.360 seal over the last several years. >> I am the steam teacher at Copeland Middle School. I really love to see the growth and the change to the students. And what I really focus on is teamwork. So the kids are always in teams. We want to make sure everybody's feeling comfortable communicating their ideas. 27 00:07:05.360 --> 00:07:20.720 I want kids to come to school and feel like this is their second home. I want them to come into my classroom and feel comfortable, feel like they can be themselves. They may not come here and love math, but I want them to at least enjoy coming to math class. Years ago, I had a sixth grade student who was 28 00:07:20.720 --> 00:07:37.440 absolutely petrified of mathematics. And I worked so carefully with her. I gave her extra help just to have her overcome this fear and it was fabulous to see that aha moment when she finally got it and that is why I do what I do every 29 00:07:37.440 --> 00:07:53.919 day. >> So my name is Jackson. >> My name is Mia. >> My name is Mariah. >> I think what awesome is about being in Birwood is the um the like artwork that's on the walls. Like in school they have this like art thing where you go 30 00:07:53.919 --> 00:08:10.879 downstairs and like paint a wall with the art teacher. >> My favorite is recess. My favorite thing is reading and just doing a bunch of fun stuff. We get to do puzzle of the day 31 00:08:10.879 --> 00:08:26.000 and it's really fun. We get to watch videos at the end of the day. My name is Carly and I am in fifth grade and I go to DVO. >> Yeah. My name is Rehea. I'm in first grade. >> Being at DVO is awesome because all the 32 00:08:26.000 --> 00:08:42.399 teachers here are so great and so nice. >> I like the teachers here. They make it awesome here. She teaches well and then she teaches us stuff which we have never learned. >> My favorite subject is probably math 33 00:08:42.399 --> 00:08:58.800 because I like all the challenges. My favorite special is art class with Miss Takis. Plus, drawing is my favorite thing. >> What makes DBL unique is that everyone is so kind to each other and everyone cares about each other. >> My name is Quink. I'm in the fifth 34 00:08:58.800 --> 00:09:13.519 grade. >> Hi, my name's Arya. I am in second grade. >> What makes our school awesome is all the teachers we have here. They help us every day. All the janitors keep our school nice and clean. all my friends that helped me since kindergarten and 35 00:09:13.519 --> 00:09:30.080 everybody just helps us here because we are a really good community >> because of my friends, the teachers and the principal. Like we read a book and then we do a project based on what happened in that story. >> Math is my favorite subject because the teachers always help us and it's fun but 36 00:09:30.080 --> 00:09:46.480 it can be complicated but it's still really fun. My favorite teachers are probably all of my teachers cuz I got really good teachers. They have fun activities to do and their stories. My first grade teacher got me into reading and she got 37 00:09:46.480 --> 00:10:02.480 me into chapter books in Juni B. Jones. My favorite subject is science. In science, you do lots of experiments and I think experiments are very fun. Every day I'm like happy at school. When I came into sixth grade in Copeland where 38 00:10:02.480 --> 00:10:19.760 everything was new and different for me, Mrs. Heath, she was especially really kind to me, she still talks to me even though we don't really see each other that much and she gives me so much good luck for all the things that I do. One teacher that made me feel special and cared for was my seventh grade LA 39 00:10:19.760 --> 00:10:35.440 teacher. I used to just like like reading and writing and she really helped me understand and make that subject more fun. I think the wire school is awesome because you can make a lot of friends here and there's good teachers. Math is 40 00:10:35.440 --> 00:10:51.040 my favorite because like you can learn different things like times, plus minus. No matter where you come from or no matter what you like look like, people will be friends with you and welcome you into this school. One word to describe 41 00:10:51.040 --> 00:11:10.399 this school is probably heart. Honesty, empathy, acceptance, and respect and trust. This is probably one of the most special places I've ever worked. It is the staff, the teachers. Uh they are loving, they are caring. The energy here is just 42 00:11:10.399 --> 00:11:26.880 great. It's wonderful to work with a group of men and women who truly love what they do. Their heart, passion, and soul is for students, and to see them succeed. I try to find a way for them to want to be here. Even if they're sad or even if they don't want to get out of 43 00:11:26.880 --> 00:11:42.800 the car in the morning, if I say, "Hey, let's go wander in the library." And they bounce out of the car right away, which actually happened, then I've done something right that I have found a way to make them feel like this is home for them because that's kind of how I feel. I love the kids here. They are amazing. 44 00:11:42.800 --> 00:11:57.440 They're the best part of my day. They're the best part of my week. That's why I do what I do. >> So, my name is Jackson. My name is Mia. My name is Mariah. >> I think what awesome is about being in Birchwood is the um the like artwork 45 00:11:57.440 --> 00:12:15.040 that's on the walls. Like in school, they have this like art thing where you go downstairs and like paint a wall with the art teacher. My favorite is recess. My favorite thing is reading and just 46 00:12:15.040 --> 00:12:32.160 doing a bunch of fun stuff. We get to do puzzle of the day and it's really fun. We get to watch videos at the end of the day. >> Our doors are always open. We are truly a family here. Our kids are just everything. >> If you've never taught at another school 47 00:12:32.160 --> 00:12:48.480 and you come to Birchwood, you honestly never want to leave Birchwood. You walk into this building and it's a family. We're all together. We're all happy. We're smiling. Nobody's cranky or miserable. We're here together for each other. Birchwood is very special because it is truly a family atmosphere. 48 00:12:48.480 --> 00:13:04.240 Students come back year after year. There's multi-generations that have attended Birwood. It is truly a loving community. It's such a wonderful place to be. I commute an hour or more every day and I've been given the opportunity to work in another district, but I've 49 00:13:04.240 --> 00:13:19.519 been here 7 years and I will drive that hour because the community, the parents, the teachers, our principal are incredible. We're just so happy to have such a loving, nurturing community that is so vested in our school. We are 50 00:13:19.519 --> 00:13:40.959 family and once a bulldog, always a bulldog. I truly believe in an educator being able to make a difference in the world. It's so important to have a positive environment for a child to come to. And 51 00:13:40.959 --> 00:13:58.320 teaching at Dubire is special because we don't have walls. >> Our mantra we live by is no walls, no limits because being a school with no walls uh provides our students a great sense of community. You just know you're walking into a special place when you 52 00:13:58.320 --> 00:14:14.720 come through our doors. >> I like to tell people that when you're here, it's like learning at home. You're in your kitchen, but you still know what's going on in the family room. It builds like this, you know, camaraderie amongst not only the students but also the faculty that work here. We call 53 00:14:14.720 --> 00:14:29.440 ourselves a Dwire family. Mr. McGovern, he seldom calls us a school and we really all live by that. We treat each other like family and we emulate that for the kids. >> I think the wire school is awesome because you can make a lot of friends 54 00:14:29.440 --> 00:14:45.519 here and there's good teachers. Math is my favorite because like you can learn different things like times, plus minus. No matter where you come from or no matter what you like look like, people will be friends with you and welcome you 55 00:14:45.519 --> 00:15:02.800 into this school. One word to describe this school is probably heart, honesty, empathy, acceptance, and respect, and trust. I've been teaching art here in Rockaway Township for 16 years. I think social 56 00:15:02.800 --> 00:15:20.240 emotional learning is very important. It gives us a chance to discuss our emotions and give kids a chance to practice that emotional dialogue and that helps the whole child. I get the privilege of going into every single class once a month where I do a guidance 57 00:15:20.240 --> 00:15:36.320 lesson. The best part of my job is when one of them is having a tough day and then they feel better and it's because of me. >> The people I work with makes me come back every single day. I hire a very unique and special educator and that permeates throughout the building. I have the easiest job in the world 58 00:15:36.320 --> 00:15:57.440 because I have the hardest working teachers in the world. Every student who goes through Rockaway Township School District and will graduate from Copeland before they go on to high school. And we have an opportunity to instill core values into our students, helping students develop 59 00:15:57.440 --> 00:16:14.399 into future leaders into being positive role models and citizens in our community. >> I am the steam teacher at Copeland Middle School. I really love to see the growth and the change through the students. And what I really focus on is teamwork. So the kids are always in teams. We want to make sure everybody's 60 00:16:14.399 --> 00:16:30.959 feeling comfortable communicating their ideas. >> I want kids to come to school and feel like this is their second home. I want them to come into my classroom and feel comfortable, feel like they can be themselves. They may not come here and love math, but I want them to at least enjoy coming to math class. 61 00:16:30.959 --> 00:16:47.839 >> When I came into sixth grade in Copeland, where everything was new and different for me, Mrs. Heath, she was especially really kind to me. She still talks to me even though we don't really see each other that much and she gives me so much good luck for all the things that I do. One teacher that made me feel 62 00:16:47.839 --> 00:17:04.880 special and cared for was my seventh grade LA teacher. I used to dislike like reading and writing and she really helped me understand and make that subject more fun. Years ago, I had a sixth grade student who was absolutely petrified of mathematics and I worked so 63 00:17:04.880 --> 00:17:20.400 carefully with her. I gave her extra help just to have her overcome this fear and it was fabulous to see that aha moment when she finally got it and that is why I do what I do every day. 64 00:17:20.400 --> 00:17:38.080 >> We are making sure kids are prepared for the future and that means making sure that they have access to technology. Every single classroom has interactive boards. Kids get a Chromebook in the fifth grade. >> They work as a team towards a common goal. They overcome challenges. We 65 00:17:38.080 --> 00:17:53.679 connect with the community through our concerts which are very well attended. Vanta Copeland is truly an all-inclusive experience for all of the students here. >> I try to get everybody involved so that they can make a positive impact in the future. I teach US history and I come to 66 00:17:53.679 --> 00:18:09.360 work every day excited. I get the opportunity to mold the next generation. >> The thing that makes Copeland Middle School so great is truly the people. It's the students. It's the staff. It's the community members. It's the parent involvement. It's the investment in 67 00:18:09.360 --> 00:18:31.520 making it a better place. >> Our core values are the same as Rockaway Township. Heart, honesty, empathy, acceptance, respect, and trust. So we can focus on particularly on being kind >> by being kind to a friend, helping them out, helping teachers, be nice to them, 68 00:18:31.520 --> 00:18:47.600 be respectful and don't interrupt the teachers. >> And everything we do, we try and relate back to our core values. One of the things we are working on right now is positive behavior system. I don't like to address anything negative in my office because I want kids to be able to trust me and to be able to come down as 69 00:18:47.600 --> 00:19:04.480 a leader of the building. So, we're really working on being kind. And yes, academics are important, but one of the main things for us is that we raise good kids. The main message is to be kind because above all else, we want our kids just to be kind. >> My name is Carly and I am in fifth grade 70 00:19:04.480 --> 00:19:20.880 and I go to DVO. >> Yeah. My name is Rehea. I'm in first grade. >> Being at DVL is awesome because all the teachers here are so great and so nice. >> I like the teachers here. They make it awesome here. She teaches well and then 71 00:19:20.880 --> 00:19:37.520 she teaches us stuff which we have never learned. >> My favorite subject is probably math because I like all the challenges. >> My favorite special is art class with Miss Takis because drawing is my favorite thing. >> What makes DBL unique is that everyone 72 00:19:37.520 --> 00:19:53.919 is so kind to each other and everyone cares about each other. If I had to describe our building in one word, I would say we're a little unconventional. We're always trying to have our teachers and our students look at other ways to achieve success. And 73 00:19:53.919 --> 00:20:08.480 for every student, that's different. There are other ways that we can really show student growth, student success. >> I'm not trying to be cheesy or anything. It's it really the staff here, um, we have built a family. And I think that says something about the building and the and and the community that we foster 74 00:20:08.480 --> 00:20:25.679 here at ZBO. And I'm really grateful to be part of that. >> Being outside in the morning at bus duty and having kids coming up and just happy to see me, teachers who I now share personal connections with because I've been here for 11 years as the principal. >> After teaching for 25 years, I can't 75 00:20:25.679 --> 00:20:41.520 pinpoint one moment of time that is a story of why I come back every day. Any good lesson makes me feel alive. Going to the soccer games, the football games, seeing my students outside the classroom. I want the kids to feel at home and I feel the more comfortable 76 00:20:41.520 --> 00:20:57.520 that they are, the relationship that we build together, the better they're going to do in class, not not only enjoy their time in class, but also take risks. >> So, yeah, I I think for me it's just being a part of something, being a part of the team. Uh we're all very different, but um but we we get along 77 00:20:57.520 --> 00:21:18.640 and, you know, we support each other. What really resonates with me about this school is that we put more value in developing personal growth versus comparison to others. Whether it be a difficult learning task or a challenging learning experience, they learn to 78 00:21:18.640 --> 00:21:34.880 persevere. And we can bring out something in themselves that they might not have seen before. >> It's a really great environment here at KDM. My co-workers are great. The students every day, they make me laugh. One thing that I really work on in my classroom is growth mindset. I did have 79 00:21:34.880 --> 00:21:50.240 a student that came in and really didn't like math. They were really negative self-talking, saying that they can't do this. And so, basically throughout the whole year, we worked on just changing that mindset. Just because we can't do something right now doesn't mean that we're never going to be able to do it. 80 00:21:50.240 --> 00:22:05.600 And that's what I teach all of my students. >> My favorite teachers are probably all of my teachers cuz I got really good teachers. They have fun activities to do and their stories. My first grade teacher got me into reading and she got 81 00:22:05.600 --> 00:22:23.120 me into chapter books in Juni B. Jones. >> My favorite subject is science. In science, you do lots of experiments and I think experiments are very fun. Every day I'm like happy at school. >> We identify the interests of students. You know, what motivates them so 82 00:22:23.120 --> 00:22:39.200 students feel more comfortable and confident in their learning environment, moving them forward from one learning experience to another. Every morning I'm inspired by these children. Their energy, their willingness to support and grow with one 83 00:22:39.200 --> 00:22:55.440 another is contagious. >> One of the things that I'm really hoping to teach them more than anything else is about kindness and you know being good friends to each other. One of my most favorite success stories is a particular student when you know he would come into the classroom even right first thing in 84 00:22:55.440 --> 00:23:11.919 the morning his head would be down on that desk. I trying to instill intrinsic love for school, intrinsic love for education. And over time, I've seen him pick that head up. And that's why I do what I do. To have a kid come in and their school's a happy place for them 85 00:23:11.919 --> 00:23:34.320 and they want to come. Stony Brook is an amazing place. It really is. And I think anybody who joins us, whether it's full-time or visitors in the building just for a day, uh, you know, I think echo that sentiment. Our staff is second to none. They really put the kids first all the time. And our 86 00:23:34.320 --> 00:23:50.480 students are exceptional as well. It's a wonderful school community. Our PTA is incredibly involved. Everything we do is well attended back to school nights, our events, and we have very involved school community both academically working handinhand with our teachers, but also I think for extracurricular as well. 87 00:23:50.480 --> 00:24:06.400 Inside school, I really try to be involved in as many things as I can. My children also go to school in this district at one of the other schools. And I'm really proud of what we put forth for our children. Anytime we can bring togetherness and have us all work together, both in our community and out, it's really going to help everyone raise 88 00:24:06.400 --> 00:24:23.039 their own level of abilities to really increase the success of our community. So we always start off with a growth mindset and we do a lot of lessons about how we are able to do things that might seem hard like a harder task. And I think that if we really teach our kids 89 00:24:23.039 --> 00:24:39.919 to be resilient and show grit in the face of a harder task then all the other academic challenges that they're faced with come a little bit easier. Having students in a classroom that's smaller where you get to meet their needs specifically rather than in a bigger classroom you can build more of a rapport and relationships with them. I 90 00:24:39.919 --> 00:24:55.840 like them to become successful, not just academically, but also social, emotionally. >> My name is Queen Kren. I'm in the fifth grade. >> Hi, my name is Arya. I am in second grade. >> What makes our school awesome is all the teachers we have here. They help us every day. All the janitors keep our 91 00:24:55.840 --> 00:25:11.200 school nice and clean. All my friends that helped me since kindergarten, and everybody just helps us here cuz we are a really good community. because of my friends, the teachers, and the principal. Like, we read a book and then we do a project based on what happened 92 00:25:11.200 --> 00:25:27.600 in that story. Math is my favorite subject because the teachers always help us and it's fun, but it can be complicated, but it's still really fun. >> I've always wanted to be a teacher. I think the reason why I wanted to be a teacher is because I think I had really good elementary school teachers. Rockway 93 00:25:27.600 --> 00:25:43.919 I thought was really interesting because I feel like it is a small close-knit community, but I also felt like there's a lot of different opportunities in Rockway. I like how there was five different elementary schools, but I also like how I felt like that I fit in with the Stony Brook mentality. The Stony 94 00:25:43.919 --> 00:25:59.919 Brook mentality is something where we all feel and have the same idea of supporting students. the kids understand that everyone makes a mistake. Everyone has a bad day. And I think that it gives the opportunity for kids to grow and not feel like penalized. I love that we have a great principal. I love the teachers 95 00:25:59.919 --> 00:26:17.039 and the morale. As soon as I started coming up here, since I am from South Jersey, I felt welcomed and included right away. >> My name is Dr. Richard Corbett and I am the proud superintendent of Rockaway Township Public Schools. I was just waving to some of our 96 00:26:17.039 --> 00:26:32.159 wonderful students as they were walking by and I'm so happy and pleased to say that when I walk through these halls and talk to these students in these six different schools, I see students that are learning and having fun and to me those are two very important qualities 97 00:26:32.159 --> 00:26:49.120 of a very very effective education. >> Birchwood is very special because it is truly a family atmosphere. Students come back year after year. There's multi-generations that have attended Birwood. It is truly a loving community. It's such a wonderful place to be. 98 00:26:49.120 --> 00:27:04.400 >> Our core values are the same as Rockaway Township. Heart, honesty, empathy, acceptance, respect, and trust. So, we can focus on particularly on being kind. What really resonates with me about this school is that we put more value in developing personal growth versus 99 00:27:04.400 --> 00:27:21.039 comparison to others. Whether it be a difficult learning task or a challenging learning experience, they learn to persevere. and we can bring out something in themselves that they might not have seen before. >> Stony Brook is an amazing place. It really is. And I think anybody who joins us, whether it's full-time or visitors 100 00:27:21.039 --> 00:27:36.880 in the building just for a day, uh, you know, I think echo that sentiment. Our staff is second to none. They really put the kids first all the time. And our students are exceptional as well. It's a wonderful school community. Our PTA is incredibly involved. Everything we do is well attended. back to school nights, 101 00:27:36.880 --> 00:27:53.600 our events, and we have a very involved school community, both academically working hand in hand with our teachers, but also I think for extracurricular as well. >> Meeting today is Wednesday, May 27th. Uh, can I please get an attendance roll call? >> Mrs. Anderson, 102 00:27:53.600 --> 00:28:10.480 >> here. Mrs. Brooks, >> here. >> Dr. Gorman, >> Mrs. Messi, >> here. >> Ms. Richardson here. >> Miss Tor, Miss McGiri, >> here. We have a quorum. >> Excellent. Thank you. The New Jersey Open Public Meetings Act was passed to 103 00:28:10.480 --> 00:28:25.520 ensure the right of the public to have advanced notice and to attend the meetings of public bodies at which any business affecting their interests is discussed and acted upon. In accordance with the provision of the act, the Rockaway Township Board of Education has caused notice of the date, time, and 104 00:28:25.520 --> 00:28:42.279 place of said meetings to be published in the daily record, the Star Ledger, and be posted in all schools in the district in the municipal building of the township and the township library. Does any board member wish to object to the conduct of this meeting for the purposes as stated in the public notice? 105 00:28:43.039 --> 00:28:59.360 All documentation and materials considered by the board of education as part of this agenda are available for public review and comment. Members of the public are invited to come to the board of education building off Green Pond Road during the regular business hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday if they wish to inspect 106 00:28:59.360 --> 00:29:17.679 any of the referenced items. Could I please get a motion to wave the pledge until opening public session? >> So moved. Seconded. >> Can I get a show of hands? Resolve that in accordance with the open public meetings act, the Rockaway Township Board of Education will meet in 107 00:29:17.679 --> 00:29:32.960 close session to discuss matters involving personnel, litigation, acquisition of real property, security, negotiations, receipt of governmental funds, the content of said discussions will be disclosed to the public at such time and extent as is required by law. 108 00:29:32.960 --> 00:29:48.159 Can I please have a motion to go into close session? >> So moved. >> Seconded. Can I get a show of hands? Okay, we are going into close session at 5:02 p.m. >> My name is Dr. Richard Corbett and I am the proud superintendent of Rockaway 109 00:29:48.159 --> 00:30:04.240 Township Public Schools. >> I was just waving to some of our wonderful students as they were walking by and I'm so happy and pleased to say that when I walk through these halls and talk to these students in these six different schools, I see students that are learning and having fun. And to me, 110 00:30:04.240 --> 00:30:22.000 those are two very important qualities of a very, very effective education. >> Birwood is very special because it is truly a family atmosphere. Students come back year after year. There's multi-generations that have attended Birwood. It is truly a loving community. 111 00:30:22.000 --> 00:30:37.039 It's such a wonderful place to be. >> Our core values are the same as Rockaway Township. Heart, honesty, empathy, acceptance, respect, and trust. So, we can focus on particularly on being kind. What really resonates with me about this school is that we put more value in 112 00:30:37.039 --> 00:30:53.679 developing personal growth versus comparison to others. Whether it be a difficult learning task or a challenging learning experience, they learn to persevere. And we can bring out something in themselves that they might not have seen before. >> Stony Brook is an amazing place. It really is. And I think anybody who joins 113 00:30:53.679 --> 00:31:08.960 us, whether it's full-time or visitors in the building just for a day, uh, you know, I think echo that sentiment. Our staff is second to none. They they really put the kids first all the time and our students are exceptional as well. It's a wonderful school community. Our PTA is incredibly involved. 114 00:31:08.960 --> 00:31:24.080 Everything we do is well attended. Back to school nights, our events and we have a very involved school community both academically working handin-hand with our teachers but also I think for extracurricular as well. >> Every student who goes through Rockaway 115 00:31:24.080 --> 00:31:40.080 Township School District will graduate from Copeland before they go on to high school. and we have an opportunity to instill core values into our students, helping students develop into future leaders into being positive role models and citizens in our community. >> Our mantra we live by is no walls, no 116 00:31:40.080 --> 00:31:55.919 limits because being a school with no walls uh provides our students a great sense of community. You just know you're walking into a special place when you come through our doors. >> What keeps me coming back here every morning? Hugs from kids. You know, I love being outside in the morning at bus 117 00:31:55.919 --> 00:32:12.640 duty and having kids coming up and just happy to see me. Teachers who I now share personal connections with because I've been here for 11 years as the principal. So, yeah, I I think for me it's just being a part of something, being a part of the team. Uh we're all very different, but um but we we get 118 00:32:12.640 --> 00:32:28.080 along and you know, we support each other. >> Every morning I'm inspired by these children. Their energy, their willingness to support and grow with one another is contagious. >> The people I work with makes me come back every single day. I hire a very 119 00:32:28.080 --> 00:32:43.679 unique and special educator and that permeates throughout the building. I have the easiest job in the world because I have the hardest working teachers in the world. The thing that makes Scopland Middle School so great is truly the people. It's the students, it's the staff, it's the community members, it's the parent involvement, 120 00:32:43.679 --> 00:33:00.480 it's the investment in making it a better place. I come here for the students. I love the kids here. They are amazing. They're the best part of my day. They're the best part of my week. That's why I do what I do. >> I'm proud to be the superintendent of Rockway Township Schools and we are 121 00:33:00.480 --> 00:33:19.440 thankful for all the support we have from our community. >> I truly believe in an educator being able to make a difference in the world. It's so important to have a positive environment for a child to come to and 122 00:33:19.440 --> 00:33:35.360 teaching at Dwire is special because we don't have walls. I think social emotional learning is very important. It gives us a chance to discuss our emotions and give kids a chance to practice that emotional dialogue and 123 00:33:35.360 --> 00:33:51.919 that helps the whole child. If you've never taught at another school and you come to Birwood, you honestly never want to leave Birchwood. You walk into this building and it's a family. We're all together. We're all happy. We're smiling. Nobody's cranky or miserable. We're here together for each 124 00:33:51.919 --> 00:34:06.399 other. >> One of the things that I love the most about this position and this job is that I get to work with students of all ages. Now that we house preschool students here, I see every single student in the building from preschool all the way through fifth grade. And I get to work 125 00:34:06.399 --> 00:34:23.520 with them on a deeper level, on a way that inspires them not just to be confident in themselves, but in what they love. After teaching for 25 years, I can't pinpoint one moment of time that is a 126 00:34:23.520 --> 00:34:39.599 story of why I come back every day. Any good lesson makes me feel alive. Going to the soccer games, the football games, seeing my students outside the classroom. I want the kids to feel at home and I feel the more comfortable that they are, the relationship that we build together, the better they're going 127 00:34:39.599 --> 00:34:57.520 to do in class, not not only enjoy their time in class, but also take risks. It's a really great environment here at KDM. My co-workers are great. The students every day, they make me laugh. One thing that I really work on in my classroom is growth mindset. I did have 128 00:34:57.520 --> 00:35:13.200 a student that came in and really didn't like math. they were really negative selft talking saying that they can't do this. And so basically throughout the whole year we worked on just changing that mindset. One of the things that I'm really hoping to teach them more than anything else is about kindness and you 129 00:35:13.200 --> 00:35:30.240 know being good friends to each other. One of my most favorite success stories is a particular student when you know he would come into the classroom even right first thing in the morning his head would be down on that desk. I've tried to instill intrinsic love for school, intrinsic love for education. And over 130 00:35:30.240 --> 00:35:47.119 time, I've seen him pick that head up and that's why I do what I do to have a kid come in and their school's a happy place for them and they want to come. So, we used to always start off with a growth mindset and we do a lot of 131 00:35:47.119 --> 00:36:04.640 lessons about how we are able to do things that might seem hard like a harder task. And I think that if we really teach our kids to be resilient and show grit in the face of a harder task, then all the other academic challenges that they're faced with come a little bit easier. >> Our goal here is that every child is as 132 00:36:04.640 --> 00:36:19.359 comfortable in class as they are at home. And if they're ever in trouble, they're ever concerned or worried that they have the tools available to them to be successful and to help each other be as successful as we know they can be. We have really seen over the years an 133 00:36:19.359 --> 00:36:38.160 incredible increase in their emotional maturity and in their abilities to deal with issues both in the playground and in the classroom. And I really believe it's because our district's focus on seal over the last several years. >> I am the steam teacher at Copeland 134 00:36:38.160 --> 00:36:54.960 Middle School. I really love to see the growth and the change to the students. And what I really focus on is teamwork. So the kids are always in teams. We want to make sure everybody's feeling comfortable communicating their ideas. I want kids to come to school and feel like this is their second home. I want 135 00:36:54.960 --> 00:37:12.240 them to come into my classroom and feel comfortable, feel like they can be themselves. They may not come here and love math, but I want them to at least enjoy coming to math class. Years ago, I had a sixth grade student who was absolutely petrified of mathematics. And I worked so carefully with her. I gave 136 00:37:12.240 --> 00:37:29.119 her extra help just to have her overcome this fear and it was fabulous to see that aha moment when she finally got it and that is why I do what I do every day. >> So, my name is Jackson. >> My name is Mia. My name is Mariah. 137 00:37:29.119 --> 00:37:44.000 >> I think what awesome is about being in Birchwood is the um the like artwork that's on the walls. Like in school they have this like art thing where you go downstairs and like paint a wall with the art teacher. 138 00:37:44.000 --> 00:38:02.320 >> My favorite is recess. My favorite thing is reading and just doing a bunch of fun stuff. We get to do puzzle of the day and it's really fun. We get to watch videos at the end of the day. 139 00:38:02.320 --> 00:38:17.839 My name is Carly and I am in fifth grade and I go to DVL. >> Yeah. My name is Rehea. I'm in first grade. Being at DVL is awesome because all the teachers here are so great and so nice. >> I like the teachers here. They make it 140 00:38:17.839 --> 00:38:34.800 awesome here. She teaches well and then she teaches us stuff which we have never learned. >> My favorite subject is probably math because I like all the challenges. My favorite special is art class with Miss Takis. Plus, drawing is my favorite 141 00:38:34.800 --> 00:38:50.800 thing. >> What makes DBL unique is that everyone is so kind to each other and everyone cares about each other. >> My name is Queen and I'm in the fifth grade. >> Hi, my name's Arya. I am in second grade. What makes our school awesome is 142 00:38:50.800 --> 00:39:07.920 all the teachers we have here. They help us every day. All the janitors keep our school nice and clean. all my friends that helped me since kindergarten and everybody just helps us here because we are a really good community >> because of my friends, the teachers and the principal. Like we read a book and 143 00:39:07.920 --> 00:39:25.599 then we do a project based on what happened in that story. >> Math is my favorite subject because the teachers always help us and it's fun but it can be complicated but it's still really fun. My favorite teachers are probably all of my teachers cuz I got really good 144 00:39:25.599 --> 00:39:40.880 teachers. They have fun activities to do and their stories. My first grade teacher got me into reading and she got me into chapter books in Juni B. Jones. My favorite subject is science. In science, you do lots of experiments and 145 00:39:40.880 --> 00:39:56.560 I think experiments are very fun. Every day I'm like happy at school. When I came into sixth grade in Copeland where everything was new and different for me, Mrs. Heath, she was especially really kind to me, she still talks to me even though we don't really see each other 146 00:39:56.560 --> 00:40:12.480 that much and she gives me so much good luck for all the things that I do. One teacher that made me feel special and cared for was my seventh grade LA teacher. I used to just like like reading and writing and she really helped me understand and make that 147 00:40:12.480 --> 00:40:27.440 subject more fun. I think the wire school is awesome because you can make a lot of friends here and there's good teachers. Math is my favorite because like you can learn different things like times, plus minus. 148 00:40:27.440 --> 00:40:43.040 No matter where you come from or no matter what you like look like, people will be friends with you and welcome you into this school. One word to describe this school is probably heart. Honesty, empathy, acceptance, and respect and 149 00:40:43.040 --> 00:41:02.560 trust. This is probably one of the most special places I've ever worked. It is the staff, the teachers. Uh they are loving, they are caring. The energy here is just great. It's wonderful to work with a group of men and women who truly love what they do. Their heart, passion, and 150 00:41:02.560 --> 00:41:19.280 soul is for students, and to see them succeed. I try to find a way for them to want to be here. Even if they're sad or even if they don't want to get out of the car in the morning, if I say, "Hey, let's go wander in the library." And they bounce out of the car right away, which actually happened, then I've done 151 00:41:19.280 --> 00:41:33.839 something right, that I have found a way to make them feel like this is home for them because that's kind of how I feel. I love the kids here. They're amazing. They're the best part of my day. They're the best part of my week. That's why I do what I do. 152 00:41:33.839 --> 00:41:49.040 >> So, my name is Jackson. My name is Mia. My name is Mariah. >> I think what awesome is about being in Birwood is the um the like artwork that's on the walls. Like in school, they have this like art thing where you 153 00:41:49.040 --> 00:42:04.880 go downstairs and like paint a wall with the art teacher. My favorite is recess. My favorite thing is reading and just doing a bunch of fun stuff. We get to do 154 00:42:04.880 --> 00:42:20.319 puzzle of the day and it's really fun. We get to watch videos at the end of the day. >> Our doors are always open. We are truly a family here. Our kids are just everything. >> If you've never taught at another school and you come to Birchwood, you honestly 155 00:42:20.319 --> 00:42:36.480 never want to leave Birchwood. You walk into this building and it's a family. We're all together. We're all happy. We're smiling. Nobody's cranky or miserable. We're here together for each other. Birwood is very special because it is truly a family atmosphere. Students come back year after year. 156 00:42:36.480 --> 00:42:52.400 There's multi-generations that have attended Birwood. It is truly a loving community. It's such a wonderful place to be. I commute an hour or more every day and I've been given the opportunity to work in another district, but I've been here 7 years and I will drive that 157 00:42:52.400 --> 00:43:07.839 hour because the community, the parents, the teachers, our principal are incredible. We're just so happy to have such a loving, nurturing community that is so vested in our school. We are family and once a bulldog, always a 158 00:43:07.839 --> 00:43:30.160 bulldog. I truly believe in an educator being able to make a difference in the world. It's so important to have a positive environment for a child to come to. And teaching at Dubire is special because we 159 00:43:30.160 --> 00:43:47.280 don't have walls. >> Our mantra we live by is no walls, no limits because being a school with no walls uh provides our students a great sense of community. You just know you're walking into a special place when you come through our doors. >> I like to tell people that when you're 160 00:43:47.280 --> 00:44:03.280 here, it's like learning at home. You're in your kitchen, but you still know what's going on in the family room. It builds like this, you know, camaraderie amongst not only the students but also the faculty that work here. We call ourselves a Dwire family. Mr. McGovern, 161 00:44:03.280 --> 00:44:20.560 he seldom calls us a school and we really all live by that. We treat each other like family and we emulate that for the kids. >> I think the wire school is awesome because you can make a lot of friends here and there's good teachers. Math is my favorite because like you can learn 162 00:44:20.560 --> 00:44:37.200 different things like times, plus minus. No matter where you come from or no matter what you like look like, people will be friends with you and welcome you into the school. One word to describe this school is probably heart, honesty, 163 00:44:37.200 --> 00:44:56.079 empathy, acceptance, and respect, and trust. I have been teaching art here in Rockaway Township for 16 years. I think social emotional learning is very important. It gives us a chance to discuss our emotions and give kids a 164 00:44:56.079 --> 00:45:11.920 chance to practice that emotional dialogue and that helps the whole child. I get the privilege of going into every single class once a month where I do a guidance lesson. The best part of my job is when one of them is having a tough day and then they feel better and it's 165 00:45:11.920 --> 00:45:34.720 because of me. >> The people I work with makes me come back every single day. I hire a very unique and special educator and that permeates throughout the building. I have the easiest job in the world because I have the hardest working teachers in the world. Every student who goes through Rockaway 166 00:45:34.720 --> 00:45:50.800 Township School District will graduate from Copeland before they go on to high school. And we have an opportunity to instill core values into our students, helping students develop into future leaders into being positive role models and citizens in our community. >> I am the steam teacher at Copeland 167 00:45:50.800 --> 00:46:07.599 Middle School. I really love to see the growth and the change through the students. And what I really focus on is teamwork. So the kids are always in teams. We want to make sure everybody's feeling comfortable communicating their ideas. >> I want kids to come to school and feel like this is their second home. I want 168 00:46:07.599 --> 00:46:24.079 them to come into my classroom and feel comfortable, feel like they can be themselves. They may not come here and love math, but I want them to at least enjoy coming to math class. When I came into sixth grade in Copeland, where everything was new and different for me, Mrs. Heath, she was especially really 169 00:46:24.079 --> 00:46:40.160 kind to me. She still talks to me even though we don't really see each other that much and she gives me so much good luck for all the things that I do. One teacher that made me feel special and cared for was my 7th grade LA teacher. I used to dislike like reading and writing 170 00:46:40.160 --> 00:46:56.319 and she really helped me understand and make that subject more fun. Years ago, I had a sixth grade student who was absolutely petrified of mathematics. And I worked so carefully with her. I gave her extra help just to have her overcome 171 00:46:56.319 --> 00:47:11.680 this fear and it was fabulous to see that aha moment when she finally got it and that is why I do what I do every day. >> We are making sure kids are prepared for the future and that means making sure 172 00:47:11.680 --> 00:47:27.200 that they have access to technology. Every single classroom has interactive boards. Kids get a Chromebook in the fifth grade. >> They work as a team towards a common goal. They overcome challenges. We connect with the community through our concerts which are very well attended. 173 00:47:27.200 --> 00:47:42.800 Vanda Copeland is truly an all-inclusive experience for all of the students here. >> I try to get everybody involved so that they can make a positive impact in the future. I teach US history and I come to work every day excited. I get the 174 00:47:42.800 --> 00:48:05.440 opportunity to mold the next generation. >> The thing that makes Copeland Middle School so great is truly the people. It's the students. It's the staff. It's the community members. It's the parent involvement. It's the investment in making it a better place. >> Our core values are the same as Rockaway 175 00:48:05.440 --> 00:48:21.119 Township. Heart, honesty, empathy, acceptance, respect, and trust. So we can focus on particularly on being kind >> by being kind to a friend, helping them out, helping teachers, be nice to them, be respectful and don't interrupt the teachers. 176 00:48:21.119 --> 00:48:37.440 >> And everything we do, we try and relate back to our core values. One of the things we are working on right now is positive behavior system. I don't like to address anything negative in my office because I want kids to be able to trust me and to be able to come down as a leader of the building. So, we're really working on being kind. And yes, 177 00:48:37.440 --> 00:48:53.839 academics are important, but one of the main things for us is that we raise good kids. The main message is to be kind because above all else, we want our kids just to be kind. >> My name is Carly and I am in fifth grade and I go to DVO. >> Yeah. My name is Rehea. I'm in first 178 00:48:53.839 --> 00:49:09.839 grade. >> Being at DVL is awesome because all the teachers here are so great and so nice. >> I like the teachers here. They make it awesome here. She teaches well and then she teaches us stuff which we have never 179 00:49:09.839 --> 00:49:25.680 learned. >> My favorite subject is probably math because I like all the challenges. >> My favorite special is art class with Miss Takis because drawing is my favorite thing. >> What makes DBL unique is that everyone is so kind to each other and everyone 180 00:49:25.680 --> 00:49:41.280 cares about each other. If I had to describe our building in one word, I would say we're a little unconventional. We're always trying to have our teachers and our students look at other ways to achieve success. And for every student, that's different. 181 00:49:41.280 --> 00:49:57.599 There are other ways that we can really show student growth, student success. >> I'm not trying to be cheesy or anything. It's it really the staff here, um, we have built a family. And I think that says something about the building and the and and the community that we foster here at ZBO. And I'm really grateful to 182 00:49:57.599 --> 00:50:14.240 be part of that. >> Being outside in the morning at bus duty and having kids coming up and just happy to see me. Teachers who I now share personal connections with because I've been here for 11 years as the principal. >> After teaching for 25 years, I can't pinpoint one moment of time that is a 183 00:50:14.240 --> 00:50:30.400 story of why I come back every day. Any good lesson makes me feel alive. Going to the soccer games, the football games, seeing my students outside the classroom. I want the kids to feel at home and I feel the more comfortable that they are, the relationship that we build together, the better they're going 184 00:50:30.400 --> 00:50:48.280 to do in class, not not only enjoy their time in class, but also take risks. >> So, yeah, I I think for me it's just being a part of something, being a part of the team. Uh we're all very different, but um but we we get along and, you know, we support each other. 185 00:50:51.760 --> 00:51:08.160 What really resonates with me about the school is that we put more value in developing personal growth versus comparison to others. Whether it be a difficult learning task or a challenging learning experience, they learn to persevere. And we can bring out something in themselves that they might 186 00:51:08.160 --> 00:51:24.800 not have seen before. >> It's a really great environment here at KDM. My co-workers are great. The students every day, they make me laugh. One thing that I really work on in my classroom is growth mindset. I did have a student that came in and really didn't like math. They were really negative 187 00:51:24.800 --> 00:51:40.240 self-talking, saying that they can't do this. And so, basically throughout the whole year, we worked on just changing that mindset. Just because we can't do something right now doesn't mean that we're never going to be able to do it. And that's what I teach all of my students. 188 00:51:40.240 --> 00:51:56.960 >> My favorite teachers are probably all of my teachers cuz I got really good teachers. They have fun activities to do and their stories. My first grade teacher got me into reading and she got me into chapter books and Juni B Jones. >> My favorite subject is science. In 189 00:51:56.960 --> 00:52:13.119 science, you do lots of experiments and I think experiments are very fun. Every day I'm like happy at school. >> We identify the interests of students. You know what motivates them so students feel more comfortable and confident in their learning environment moving them 190 00:52:13.119 --> 00:52:31.359 forward from one learning experience to another. Every morning I'm inspired by these children. Their energy, their willingness to support and grow with one another is contagious. >> One of the things that I'm really hoping to teach them more than anything else is 191 00:52:31.359 --> 00:52:47.760 about kindness and you know being good friends to each other. One of my most favorite success stories is a particular student when you know he would come into the classroom even right first thing in the morning his head would be down on that desk. I trying to instill intrinsic love for school, intrinsic love for 192 00:52:47.760 --> 00:53:10.319 education. And over time, I've seen him pick that head up. And that's why I do what I do. To have a kid come in and their school's a happy place for them, and they want to come. Stony Brook is an amazing place. It really is. And I think anybody who joins 193 00:53:10.319 --> 00:53:26.319 us, whether it's full-time or visitors in the building just for a day, uh, you know, I think echo that sentiment. Our staff is second to none. They really put the kids first all the time. And our students are exceptional as well. It's a wonderful school community. Our PTA is incredibly involved. Everything we do is 194 00:53:26.319 --> 00:53:42.960 well attended. Back to school nights, our events, and we have a very involved school community both academically working handinhand with our teachers, but also I think for extracurricular as well. Inside school, I really try to be involved in as many things as I can. My children also go to school in this district at one of the other schools. 195 00:53:42.960 --> 00:53:57.920 And I'm really proud of what we put forth for our children. Anytime we can bring togetherness and have us all work together, both in our community and out, it's really going to help everyone raise their own level of abilities to really increase the success of our community. So, we used to always start off with a 196 00:53:57.920 --> 00:54:13.760 growth mindset and we do a lot of lessons about how we are able to do things that might seem hard, like a harder task. And I think that if we really teach our kids to be resilient and show grit in the face of a harder task, then all the other academic 197 00:54:13.760 --> 00:54:29.520 challenges that they're faced with come a little bit easier. Having students in a classroom that's smaller where you get to meet their needs specifically rather than in a bigger classroom, you can build more of a rapport and relationships with them. I like them to become successful, not just academically, but also social and 198 00:54:29.520 --> 00:54:43.920 emotionally. >> My name is Queen K. I'm in the fifth grade. >> Hi, my name is Arya. I am in second grade. What makes our school awesome is all the teachers we have here. They help us every day. All the janitors keep our school nice and clean. All my friends 199 00:54:43.920 --> 00:54:59.599 that helped me since kindergarten, and everybody just helps us here cuz we are a really good community. because of my friends, the teachers, and the principal. Like, we read a book and then we do a project based on what happened in that story. Math is my favorite 200 00:54:59.599 --> 00:55:15.200 subject because the teachers always help us and it's fun, but it can be complicated, but it's still really fun. >> I've always wanted to be a teacher. I think the reason why I wanted to be a teacher is because I think I had really good elementary school teachers. Rockway I thought was really interesting because 201 00:55:15.200 --> 00:55:32.240 I feel like it is a small close-knit community, but I also felt like there's a lot of different opportunities in Rockway. I like how there was five different elementary schools, but I also like how I felt like that I fit in with the Stony Brook mentality. The Stony Brook mentality is something where we 202 00:55:32.240 --> 00:55:47.599 all feel and have the same idea of supporting students. the kids understand that everyone makes a mistake. Everyone has a bad day. And I think that it gives the opportunity for kids to grow and not feel like penalized. I love that we have a great principal. I love the teachers and the morale. As soon as I started 203 00:55:47.599 --> 00:56:04.480 coming up here, since I am from South Jersey, I felt welcomed and included right away. >> My name is Dr. Richard Corbett and I am the proud superintendent of Rockaway Township Public Schools. I was just waving to some of our wonderful students as they were walking 204 00:56:04.480 --> 00:56:20.640 by. And I'm so happy and pleased to say that when I walk through these halls and talk to these students in these six different schools, I see students that are learning and having fun. And to me, those are two very important qualities of a very, very effective education. 205 00:56:20.640 --> 00:56:37.040 >> Birchwood is very special because it is truly a family atmosphere. Students come back year after year. There's multi-generations that have attended Birwood. It is truly a loving community. It's such a wonderful place to be. >> Our core values are the same as Rockaway 206 00:56:37.040 --> 00:56:52.319 Township. Heart, honesty, empathy, acceptance, respect, and trust. So, we can focus on particularly on being kind. What really resonates with me about this school is that we put more value in developing personal growth versus comparison to others. Whether it be a 207 00:56:52.319 --> 00:57:08.640 difficult learning task or a challenging learning experience, they learn to persevere. and we can bring out something in themselves that they might not have seen before. >> Stony Brook is an amazing place. It really is. And I think anybody who joins us, whether it's full-time or visitors in the building just for a day, uh, you 208 00:57:08.640 --> 00:57:25.359 know, I think echo that sentiment. Our staff is second to none. They really put the kids first all the time. And our students are exceptional as well. It's a wonderful school community. Our PTA is incredibly involved. Everything we do is well attended. back to school nights, our events, and we have a very involved 209 00:57:25.359 --> 00:57:42.319 school community, both academically working handin-hand with our teachers, but also I think for extracurricular as well. >> Every student who goes through Rockaway Township School District and will graduate from Copeland before they go on to high school. And we have an opportunity to instill core values into 210 00:57:42.319 --> 00:57:57.839 our students, helping students develop into future leaders, into being positive role models and citizens in our community. Our mantra we live by is no walls, no limits because being a school with no walls uh provides our students a great sense of community. You just know 211 00:57:57.839 --> 00:58:13.359 you're walking into a special place when you come through our doors. What keeps me coming back here every morning? Hugs from kids. You know, I love being outside in the morning at bus duty and having kids coming up and just happy to see me. Teachers who I now share personal connections with because I've 212 00:58:13.359 --> 00:58:28.559 been here for 11 years as the principal. So yeah, I I think for me it's just being a part of something, being a part of the team. Uh we're all very different, but um but we we get along and you know, we support each other. >> Every morning I'm inspired by these 213 00:58:28.559 --> 00:58:44.640 children, their energy, their willingness to support and grow with one another is contagious. >> The people I work with makes me come back every single day. I hire a very unique and special educator and that permeates throughout the building. I have the easiest job in the world 214 00:58:44.640 --> 00:59:01.359 because I have the hardest working teachers in the world. >> The thing that makes Scopland Middle School so great is truly the people. It's the students. It's the staff. It's the community members. It's the parent involvement. It's the investment in making it a better place. >> I come here for the students. I love the 215 00:59:01.359 --> 00:59:20.160 kids here. They are amazing. They're the best part of my day. They're the best part of my week. That's why I do what I do. I'm proud to be the superintendent of Rockway Township Schools and we are thankful for all the support we have from our community. I truly believe in an educator being 216 00:59:20.160 --> 00:59:36.079 able to make a difference in the world. It's so important to have a positive environment for a child to come to and teaching at Dubire is special because we don't have walls. I think social 217 00:59:36.079 --> 00:59:51.760 emotional learning is very important. It gives us a chance to discuss our emotions and give kids a chance to practice that emotional dialogue and that helps the whole child. If you've never taught at another school 218 00:59:51.760 --> 01:00:07.760 and you come to Birchwood, you honestly never want to leave Birchwood. You walk into this building and it's a family. We're all together. We're all happy. We're smiling. Nobody's cranky or miserable. We're here together for each other. One of the things that I love the most about this position and this job is 219 01:00:07.760 --> 01:00:23.760 that I get to work with students of all ages now that we house preschool students here. I see every single student in the building from preschool all the way through fifth grade. And I get to work with them on a deeper level on a way that inspires them not just to 220 01:00:23.760 --> 01:00:39.440 be confident in themselves but in what they love. After teaching for 25 years, I can't pinpoint one moment of time that is a story of why I come back every day. Any good lesson makes me feel alive. Going 221 01:00:39.440 --> 01:00:54.720 to the soccer games, the football games, seeing my students outside the classroom. I want the kids to feel at home and I feel the more comfortable that they are, that the relationship that we build together, the better they're going to do in class. Not not only enjoy their time in class, but also 222 01:00:54.720 --> 01:01:12.720 take risks. It's a really great environment here at KDM. My co-workers are great. The students every day, they make me laugh. One thing that I really work on in my classroom is growth mindset. I did have a student that came in and really didn't like math. They were really negative 223 01:01:12.720 --> 01:01:28.480 self-talking, saying that they can't do this. And so, basically throughout the whole year, we worked on just changing that mindset. One of the things that I'm really hoping to teach them more than anything else is about kindness and you know being good friends to each other. One of my most favorite success stories 224 01:01:28.480 --> 01:01:43.920 is a particular student when you know he would come into the classroom even right first thing in the morning his head would be down on that desk. I've tried to instill intrinsic love for school, intrinsic love for education. And over time, I've seen him pick that head up, 225 01:01:43.920 --> 01:02:01.839 and that's why I do what I do. To have a kid come in and their school's a happy place for them, and they want to come. So, we used to always start off with a growth mindset and we do a lot of lessons about how we are able to do 226 01:02:01.839 --> 01:02:17.520 things that might seem hard, like a harder task. And I think that if we really teach our kids to be resilient and show grit in the face of a harder task, then all the other academic challenges that they're faced with come a little bit easier. >> Our goal here is that every child is as comfortable in class as they are at 227 01:02:17.520 --> 01:02:33.359 home. And if they're ever in trouble, they're ever concerned or worried that they have the tools available to them to be successful and to help each other be as successful as we know they can be. We have really seen over the years an incredible increase in their emotional 228 01:02:33.359 --> 01:02:52.079 maturity and in their abilities to deal with issues both in the playground and in the classroom. And I really believe it's because our district's focus on SEAL over the last several years. >> I am the steam teacher at Copeland Middle School. I really love to see the 229 01:02:52.079 --> 01:03:08.000 growth and the change through the students. And what I really focus on is teamwork. So the kids are always in teams. We want to make sure everybody's feeling comfortable communicating their ideas. I want kids to come to school and feel like this is their second home. I want them to come into my classroom and feel 230 01:03:08.000 --> 01:03:23.599 comfortable, feel like they can be themselves. They may not come here and love math, but I want them to at least enjoy coming to math class. Years ago, I had a sixth grade student who was absolutely petrified of mathematics. And I worked so carefully with her. I gave 231 01:03:23.599 --> 01:03:40.319 her extra help just to have her overcome this fear and it was fabulous to see that aha moment when she finally got it and that is why I do what I do every day. >> So my name is Jackson. >> My name is Mia. >> My name is Mariah. 232 01:03:40.319 --> 01:03:55.200 >> I think what awesome is about being in Birwood is the um the like artwork that's on the walls. Like in school they have this like art thing where you go downstairs and like paint a wall with the art teacher. 233 01:03:55.200 --> 01:04:13.520 >> My favorite is recess. My favorite thing is reading and just doing a bunch of fun stuff. We get to do puzzle of the day and it's really fun. We get to watch videos at the end of the day. 234 01:04:13.520 --> 01:04:29.039 My name is Carly and I am in fifth grade and I go to DVO. >> Yeah. My name is Rehea. I'm in first grade. Being at DVO is awesome because all the teachers here are so great and so nice. >> I like the teachers here. They make it 235 01:04:29.039 --> 01:04:46.000 awesome here. She teaches well and then she teaches us stuff which we have never learned. >> My favorite subject is probably math because I like all the challenges. My favorite special is art class with Miss Takis. Plus, drawing is my favorite 236 01:04:46.000 --> 01:05:02.000 thing. >> What makes DBL unique is that everyone is so kind to each other and everyone cares about each other. >> My name is Quinker and I'm in the fifth grade. >> Hi, my name is Arya. I am in second grade. What makes our school awesome is 237 01:05:02.000 --> 01:05:19.119 all the teachers we have here. They help us every day. All the janitors keep our school nice and clean. all my friends that helped me since kindergarten and everybody just helps us here because we are a really good community >> because of my friends, the teachers and the principal. Like we read a book and 238 01:05:19.119 --> 01:05:36.799 then we do a project based on what happened in that story. >> Math is my favorite subject because the teachers always help us and it's fun but it can be complicated but it's still really fun. My favorite teachers are probably all of my teachers cuz I got really good 239 01:05:36.799 --> 01:05:52.079 teachers. They have fun activities to do and their stories. My first grade teacher got me into reading and she got me into chapter books in Juni V. Jones. My favorite subject is science. In science, you do lots of experiments and 240 01:05:52.079 --> 01:06:07.760 I think experiments are very fun. Every day I'm like happy at school. When I came into sixth grade in Copeland where everything was new and different for me, Mrs. Heath, she was especially really kind to me, she still talks to me even though we don't really see each other 241 01:06:07.760 --> 01:06:23.680 that much and she gives me so much good luck for all the things that I do. One teacher that made me feel special and cared for was my seventh grade LA teacher. I used to just like like reading and writing and she really helped me understand and make that 242 01:06:23.680 --> 01:06:38.640 subject more fun. I think the wire school is awesome because you can make a lot of friends here and there's good teachers. Math is my favorite because like you can learn different things like times, plus minus. 243 01:06:38.640 --> 01:06:54.240 No matter where you come from or no matter what you like look like, people will be friends with you and welcome you into this school. One word to describe this school is probably heart. Honesty, empathy, acceptance, and respect and 244 01:06:54.240 --> 01:07:13.920 trust. This is probably one of the most special places I've ever worked. It is the staff, the teachers. Uh they are loving, they are caring. The energy here is just great. It's wonderful to work with a group of men and women who truly love what they do. Their heart, passion, and 245 01:07:13.920 --> 01:07:30.640 soul is for students, and to see them succeed. I try to find a way for them to want to be here. Even if they're sad or even if they don't want to get out of the car in the morning, if I say, "Hey, let's go wander in the library." And they bounce out of the car right away, which actually happened, then I've done 246 01:07:30.640 --> 01:07:48.160 something right that I have found a way to make them feel like this is home for them because that's kind of how I feel. I love the kids here. They are amazing. They're the best part of my day. They're the best part of my week. That's why I do what I do. >> So, my name is Jackson. My name is Mia. 247 01:07:48.160 --> 01:08:02.960 My name is Mariah. >> I think what awesome is about being in Birchwood is the um the like artwork that's on the walls. Like in school, they have this like art thing where you go downstairs and like paint a wall with 248 01:08:02.960 --> 01:08:21.359 the art teacher. My favorite is recess. My favorite thing is reading and just doing a bunch of fun stuff. We get to do puzzle of the day and it's really fun. We get to watch videos at the end of the 249 01:08:21.359 --> 01:08:37.359 day. >> Our doors are always open. We are truly a family here. Our kids are just everything. >> If you've never taught at another school and you come to Birwood, you honestly never want to leave Birwood. You walk into this building and it's a family. We're all together. We're all happy. 250 01:08:37.359 --> 01:08:53.440 We're smiling. Nobody's cranky or miserable. We're here together for each other. Birchwood is very special because it is truly a family atmosphere. Students come back year after year. There's multi-generations that have attended Birwood. It is truly a loving 251 01:08:53.440 --> 01:09:09.199 community. It's such a wonderful place to be. I commute an hour or more every day and I've been given the opportunity to work in another district, but I've been here 7 years and I will drive that hour because the community, the parents, the teachers, our principal are 252 01:09:09.199 --> 01:09:30.880 incredible. We're just so happy to have such a loving, nurturing community that is so vested in our school. We are family and once a bulldog, always a bulldog. I truly believe in an educator being able to make a difference in the world. 253 01:09:30.880 --> 01:09:48.880 It's so important to have a positive environment for a child to come to. And teaching at Dubire is special because we don't have walls. >> Our mantra we live by is no walls, no limits because being a school with no 254 01:09:48.880 --> 01:10:05.120 walls uh provides our students a great sense of community. You just know you're walking into a special place when you come through our doors. >> I like to tell people that when you're here, it's like learning at home. You're in your kitchen, but you still know what's going on in the family room. It 255 01:10:05.120 --> 01:10:21.600 builds like this, you know, camaraderie amongst not only the students but also the faculty that work here. We call ourselves a Dwire family. Mr. McGovern, he seldom calls us a school and we really all live by that. We treat each other like family and we emulate that 256 01:10:21.600 --> 01:10:38.320 for the kids. >> I think the wire school is awesome because you can make a lot of friends here and there's good teachers. Math is my favorite because like you can learn different things like times, plus minus. No matter where you come from or no 257 01:10:38.320 --> 01:10:54.520 matter what you like look like, people will be friends with you and welcome you into the school. One word to describe this school is probably heart, honesty, empathy, acceptance, and respect, and trust. 258 01:10:54.960 --> 01:11:09.440 I have been teaching art here in Rockaway Township for 16 years. I think social and emotional learning is very important. It gives us a chance to discuss our emotions and give kids a chance to practice that emotional 259 01:11:09.440 --> 01:11:25.840 dialogue and that helps the whole child. I get the privilege of going into every single class once a month where I do a guidance lesson. The best part of my job is when one of them is having a tough day and then they feel better and it's because of me. >> The people I work with makes me come 260 01:11:25.840 --> 01:11:48.880 back every single day. I hire a very unique and special educator and that permeates throughout the building. I have the easiest job in the world because I have the hardest working teachers in the world. Every student who goes through Rockaway Township School District and will graduate from Copeland before they go on 261 01:11:48.880 --> 01:12:04.640 to high school. And we have an opportunity to instill core values into our students, helping students develop into future leaders into being positive role models and citizens in our community. >> I am the steam teacher at Copeland Middle School. I really love to see the 262 01:12:04.640 --> 01:12:20.640 growth and the change through the students. And what I really focus on is teamwork. So the kids are always in teams. We want to make sure everybody's feeling comfortable communicating their ideas. >> I want kids to come to school and feel like this is their second home. I want them to come into my classroom and feel 263 01:12:20.640 --> 01:12:35.360 comfortable, feel like they can be themselves. They may not come here and love math, but I want them to at least enjoy coming to math class. When I came into sixth grade in Copeland, where everything was new and different for me, Mrs. Heath, she was especially really 264 01:12:35.360 --> 01:12:50.480 kind to me. She still talks to me even though we don't really see each other that much and she gives me so much good luck for all the things that I do. One teacher that made me feel special and cared for was my seventh grade LA teacher. I used to dislike like reading 265 01:12:50.480 --> 01:13:06.719 and writing and she really helped me understand and make that subject more fun. Years ago, I had a sixth grade student who was absolutely petrified of mathematics and I worked so carefully with her. I gave her extra help just to 266 01:13:06.719 --> 01:13:23.040 have her overcome this fear and it was fabulous to see that aha moment when she finally got it and that is why I do what I do every day. >> We are making sure kids are prepared for the future and that means making sure 267 01:13:23.040 --> 01:13:38.480 that they have access to technology. Every single classroom has interactive boards. Kids get a Chromebook in the fifth grade. >> They work as a team towards a common goal. They overcome challenges. We connect with the community through our concerts which are very well attended. 268 01:13:38.480 --> 01:13:54.080 Vanta Copeland is truly an all-inclusive experience for all of the students here. >> I try to get everybody involved so that they can make a positive impact in the future. I teach US history and I come to work every day excited. I get the 269 01:13:54.080 --> 01:14:16.640 opportunity to mold the next generation. >> The thing that makes Copa Middle School so great is truly the people. It's the students. It's the staff. It's the community members. It's the parent involvement. It's the investment in making it a better place. >> Our core values are the same as Rockaway 270 01:14:16.640 --> 01:14:32.320 Township. Heart, honesty, empathy, acceptance, respect, and trust. So we can focus on particularly on being kind >> by being kind to a friend, helping them out, helping teachers, be nice to them, be respectful and don't interrupt the teachers. 271 01:14:32.320 --> 01:14:48.560 >> And everything we do, we try and relate back to our core values. One of the things we are working on right now is positive behavior system. I don't like to address anything negative in my office because I want kids to be able to trust me and to be able to come down as a leader of the building. So, we're really working on being kind. And yes, 272 01:14:48.560 --> 01:15:05.040 academics are important, but one of the main things for us is that we raise good kids. The main message is to be kind because above all else, we want our kids just to be kind. >> My name is Carly and I am in fifth grade and I go to DVL. >> Yeah. My name is Rehea. I'm in first 273 01:15:05.040 --> 01:15:21.120 grade. >> Being at DVL is awesome because all the teachers here are so great and so nice. >> I like the teachers here. They make it awesome here. She teaches well and then she teaches us stuff which we have never 274 01:15:21.120 --> 01:15:36.960 learned. >> My favorite subject is probably math because I like all the challenges. >> My favorite special is art class with Miss Takis because drawing is my favorite thing. >> What makes DBO unique is that everyone is so kind to each other and everyone 275 01:15:36.960 --> 01:15:52.400 cares about each other. If I had to describe our building in one word, I would say we're a little unconventional. We're always trying to have our teachers and our students look at other ways to achieve success. And for every student, that's different. 276 01:15:52.400 --> 01:16:08.880 There are other ways that we can really show student growth, student success. >> I'm not trying to be cheesy or anything. It's it really the staff here, um, we have built a family. And I think that says something about the building and the and and the community that we foster here at ZBO. And I'm really grateful to 277 01:16:08.880 --> 01:16:25.520 be part of that. >> Being outside in the morning at bus duty and having kids coming up and just happy to see me, teachers who I now share personal connections with because I've been here for 11 years as the principal. >> After teaching for 25 years, I can't pinpoint one moment of time that is a 278 01:16:25.520 --> 01:16:41.520 story of why I come back every day. Any good lesson makes me feel alive. Going to the soccer games, the football games, seeing my students outside the classroom. I want the kids to feel at home and I feel the more comfortable that they are, the relationship that we build together, the better they're going 279 01:16:41.520 --> 01:16:59.400 to do in class, not not only enjoy their time in class, but also take risks. >> So, yeah, I I think for me it's just being a part of something, being a part of the team. Uh we're all very different, but um but we we get along and you know, we support each other. 280 01:17:02.960 --> 01:17:19.600 What really resonates with me about the school is that we put more value in developing personal growth versus comparison to others. Whether it be a difficult learning task or a challenging learning experience, they learn to persevere and we can bring out something in themselves that they might not have 281 01:17:19.600 --> 01:17:36.000 seen before. >> It's a really great environment here at KDM. My co-workers are great. The students every day, they make me laugh. One thing that I really work on in my classroom is growth mindset. I did have a student that came in and really didn't like math. They were really negative 282 01:17:36.000 --> 01:17:51.520 selft talking saying that they can't do this. And so basically throughout the whole year we worked on just changing that mindset. Just because we can't do something right now doesn't mean that we're never going to be able to do it. And that's what I teach all of my students. 283 01:17:51.520 --> 01:18:08.239 >> My favorite teachers are probably all of my teachers cuz I got really good teachers. They have fun activities to do and their stories. My first grade teacher got me into reading and she got me into chapter books and Juni B. Jones. >> My favorite subject is science. In 284 01:18:08.239 --> 01:18:24.320 science, you do lots of experiments and I think experiments are very fun. Every day I'm like happy at school. >> We identify the interests of students. You know what motivates them so students feel more comfortable and confident in their learning environment moving them 285 01:18:24.320 --> 01:18:42.480 forward from one learning experience to another. Every morning I'm inspired by these children. Their energy, their willingness to support and grow with one another is contagious. >> One of the things that I'm really hoping to teach them more than anything else is 286 01:18:42.480 --> 01:18:58.239 about kindness and you know being good friends to each other. One of my most favorite success stories is a particular student when you know he would come into the classroom even right first thing in the morning his head would be down on that desk. I'm trying to instill intrinsic love for school, intrinsic 287 01:18:58.239 --> 01:19:21.520 love for education. And over time, I've seen him pick that head up. And that's why I do what I do. To have a kid come in and their school's a happy place for them and they want to come. Stony Brook is an amazing place. It really is. And I think anybody who joins 288 01:19:21.520 --> 01:19:37.600 us, whether it's full-time or visitors in the building just for a day, uh, you know, I think echo that sentiment. Our staff is second to none. They really put the kids first all the time and our students are exceptional as well. It's a wonderful school community. Our PTA is incredibly involved. Everything we do is 289 01:19:37.600 --> 01:19:52.719 well attended and back to school nights, our events and we have a very involved school community both academically working handin-hand with our teachers but also I think for extracurricular as well >> inside school I really try to be involved in as many things as I can. My children also go to school in this 290 01:19:52.719 --> 01:20:09.199 district at one of the other schools and I'm really proud of what we put forth for our children. Anytime we can bring togetherness and have us all work together, both in our community and out, it's really going to help everyone raise their own level of abilities to really increase the success of our community. >> So, we used to always start off with a 291 01:20:09.199 --> 01:20:24.960 growth mindset and we do a lot of lessons about how we are able to do things that might seem hard like a harder task. And I think that if we really teach our kids to be resilient and show grit in the face of a harder task, then all the other academic 292 01:20:24.960 --> 01:20:40.719 challenges that they're faced with come a little bit easier. Having students in a classroom that's smaller where you get to meet their needs specifically rather than in a bigger classroom, you can build more of a rapport and relationships with them. I like them to become successful, not just academically, but also social, 293 01:20:40.719 --> 01:20:55.199 emotionally. >> My name is Queen. I'm in the fifth grade. >> Hi, my name's Arya. I am in second grade. What makes our school awesome is all the teachers we have here. They help us every day. All the janitors keep our school nice and clean. All my friends 294 01:20:55.199 --> 01:21:12.000 that help me since kindergarten and everybody just helps us here cuz we are a really good community. >> Because of my friends, the teachers, and the principal. Like we read a book and then we do a project based on what happened in that story. >> Math is my favorite subject because the 295 01:21:12.000 --> 01:21:29.440 teachers always help us and it's fun, but it can be complicated, but it's still really fun. I've always wanted to be a teacher. I think the reason why I wanted to be a teacher is because I think I had really good elementary school teachers. Rockway I thought was really interesting because I feel like it is a small close-knit 296 01:21:29.440 --> 01:21:45.679 community, but I also felt like there's a lot of different opportunities in Rockway. I like how there was five different elementary schools, but I also like how I felt like that I fit in with the Stony Brook mentality. The Stony Brook mentality is something where we all feel and have the same idea of 297 01:21:45.679 --> 01:22:02.480 supporting students. The kids understand that everyone makes a mistake, everyone has a bad day, and I think that it gives the opportunity for kids to grow and not feel like penalized. I love that we have a great principal. I love the teachers and the morale. As soon as I started coming up here, since I am from South Jersey, I felt welcomed and included 298 01:22:02.480 --> 01:22:21.120 right away. >> My name is Dr. Richard Corbett and I am the proud superintendent of Rockaway Township Public Schools. I was just waving to some of our wonderful students as they were walking by and I'm so happy and pleased to say that when I walk through these halls and talk to these 299 01:22:21.120 --> 01:22:36.880 students in these six different schools, I see students that are learning and having fun. And to me, those are two very important qualities of a very, very effective education. >> Birchwood is very special because it is truly a family atmosphere. Students come 300 01:22:36.880 --> 01:22:52.000 back year after year. There's multi-generations that have attended Birwood. It is truly a loving community. It's such a wonderful place to be. >> Our core values are the same as Rockaway Township: Heart, honesty, empathy, acceptance, respect, and trust. So, we 301 01:22:52.000 --> 01:23:07.520 can focus on particularly on being kind. >> What really resonates with me about this school is that we put more value in developing personal growth versus comparison to others. Whether it be a difficult learning task or a challenging learning experience, they learn to 302 01:23:07.520 --> 01:23:23.920 persevere and we can bring out something in themselves that they might not have seen before. >> Stony Brook is an amazing place. It really is. And I think anybody who joins us, whether it's full-time or visitors in the building just for a day, uh, you know, I think echo that sentiment. Our staff is second to none. They really put 303 01:23:23.920 --> 01:23:39.920 the kids first all the time. And our students are exceptional as well. It's a wonderful school community. Our PTA is incredibly involved. Everything we do is well attended back to school nights, our events, and we have a very involved school community both academically working handin-hand with our teachers, 304 01:23:39.920 --> 01:23:55.920 but also I think for extracurricular as well. >> Every student who goes through Rockaway Township School District will graduate from Copeland before they go on to high school. And we have an opportunity to instill core values into our students, helping students develop into future 305 01:23:55.920 --> 01:24:12.080 leaders, into being positive role models and citizens in our community. Our mantra we live by is no walls, no limits because being a school with no walls uh provides our students a great sense of community. You just know you're walking into a special place when you come through our doors. 306 01:24:12.080 --> 01:24:28.639 >> What keeps me coming back here every morning? Hugs from kids. You know, I love being outside in the morning at bus duty and having kids coming up and just happy to see me. Teachers who I now share personal connections with because I've been here for 11 years as the principal. So yeah, I I think for me 307 01:24:28.639 --> 01:24:44.400 it's just being a part of something, being a part of the team. Uh we're all very different, but um but we we get along and you know, we support each other. >> Every morning I'm inspired by these children, their energy, their willingness to support and grow with one 308 01:24:44.400 --> 01:25:01.280 another is contagious. >> The people I work with makes me come back every single day. I hire a very unique and special educator and that permeates throughout the building. I have the easiest job in the world because I have the hardest working teachers in the world. >> The thing that makes Scopland Middle School so great is truly the people. 309 01:25:01.280 --> 01:25:18.639 It's the students. It's the staff. It's the community members. It's the parent involvement. It's the investment in making it a better place. >> I come here for the students. I love the kids here. They are amazing. They're the best part of my day. They're the best part of my week. That's why I do what I 310 01:25:18.639 --> 01:25:34.639 do. I'm proud to be the superintendent of Rockway Township Schools and we are thankful for all the support we have from our community. I truly believe in an educator being able to make a difference in the world. 311 01:25:34.639 --> 01:25:52.400 It's so important to have a positive environment for a child to come to and teaching at Dwire is special because we don't have walls. I think social emotional learning is very important. It gives us a chance to discuss our 312 01:25:52.400 --> 01:26:09.199 emotions and give kids a chance to practice that emotional dialogue and that helps the whole child. If you've never taught at another school and you come to Birwood, you honestly never want to leave Birwood. You walk into this building and it's a family. 313 01:26:09.199 --> 01:26:24.880 We're all together. We're all happy. We're smiling. Nobody's cranky or miserable. We're here together for each other. One of the things that I love the most about this position and this job is that I get to work with students of all ages now that we house preschool students here. I see every single 314 01:26:24.880 --> 01:26:41.120 student in the building from preschool all the way through fifth grade. And I get to work with them on a deeper level on a way that inspires them not just to be confident in themselves but in what they love. 315 01:26:41.120 --> 01:26:57.679 After teaching for 25 years, I can't pinpoint one moment of time that is a story of why I come back every day. Any good lesson makes me feel alive. Going to the soccer games, the football games, seeing my students outside the classroom. I want the kids to feel at 316 01:26:57.679 --> 01:27:15.760 home and I feel the more comfortable that they are, the relationship that we build together, the better they're going to do in class. Not not only enjoy their time in class, but also take risks. It's a really great environment here at KDM. My co-workers are great. The students every day, they make me laugh. 317 01:27:15.760 --> 01:27:31.600 One thing that I really work on in my classroom is growth mindset. I did have a student that came in and really didn't like math. They were really negative self-talking, saying that they can't do this. And so, basically throughout the whole year, we worked on just changing that mindset. One of the things that I'm 318 01:27:31.600 --> 01:27:47.280 really hoping to teach them more than anything else is about kindness and you know being good friends to each other. One of my most favorite success stories is a particular student when you know he would come into the classroom even right first thing in the morning his head would be down on that desk. I've tried 319 01:27:47.280 --> 01:28:04.840 to instill intrinsic love for school, intrinsic love for education. And over time, I've seen him pick that head up and that's why I do what I do to have a kid come in and their school's a happy place for them and they want to come. 320 01:28:05.280 --> 01:28:20.960 So, we used to always start off with a growth mindset and we do a lot of lessons about how we are able to do things that might seem hard, like a harder task. And I think that if we really teach our kids to be resilient and show grit in the face of a harder 321 01:28:20.960 --> 01:28:36.800 task, then all the other academic challenges that they're faced with come a little bit easier. >> Our goal here is that every child is as comfortable in class as they are at home. And if they're ever in trouble, they're ever concerned or worried that they have the tools available to them to be successful and to help each other be 322 01:28:36.800 --> 01:28:53.360 as successful as we know they can be. We have really seen over the years an incredible increase in their emotional maturity and in their abilities to deal with issues both in the playground and in the classroom. And I really believe it's because our district's focus on 323 01:28:53.360 --> 01:29:14.000 seal over the last several years. >> I am the steam teacher at Copeland Middle School. I really love to see the growth and the change to the students. And what I really focus on is teamwork. So the kids are always in teams. We want to make sure everybody's feeling comfortable communicating their ideas. 324 01:29:14.000 --> 01:29:29.360 I want kids to come to school and feel like this is their second home. I want them to come into my classroom and feel comfortable, feel like they can be themselves. They may not come here and love math, but I want them to at least enjoy coming to math class. Years ago, I had a sixth grade student who was 325 01:29:29.360 --> 01:29:46.080 absolutely petrified of mathematics. And I worked so carefully with her. I gave her extra help just to have her overcome this fear and it was fabulous to see that aha moment when she finally got it and that is why I do what I do every 326 01:29:46.080 --> 01:30:02.400 day. >> So my name is Jackson. >> My name is Mia. >> My name is Mariah. >> I think what awesome is about being in Birwood is the um the like artwork that's on the walls. Like in school they have this like art thing where you go 327 01:30:02.400 --> 01:30:19.280 downstairs and like paint a wall with the art teacher. >> My favorite is recess. My favorite thing is reading and just doing a bunch of fun stuff. We get to do puzzle of the day 328 01:30:19.280 --> 01:30:34.400 and it's really fun. We get to watch videos at the end of the day. My name is Carly and I am in fifth grade and I go to DVL. >> Yeah, my name is Rehea. I'm in first grade. >> Being at DVL is awesome because all the 329 01:30:34.400 --> 01:30:50.800 teachers here are so great and so nice. >> I like the teachers here. They make it awesome here. She teaches well and then she teaches us stuff which we have never learned. >> My favorite subject is probably math 330 01:30:50.800 --> 01:31:07.199 because I like all the challenges. My favorite special is art class with Miss Takis because drawing is my favorite thing. >> What makes DBL unique is that everyone is so kind to each other and everyone cares about each other. >> My name is Queen K. I'm in the fifth 331 01:31:07.199 --> 01:31:21.920 grade. >> Hi, my name is Arya. I am in second grade. What makes our school awesome is all the teachers we have here. They help us every day. All the janitors keep our school nice and clean. all my friends that helped me since kindergarten and 332 01:31:21.920 --> 01:31:38.480 everybody just helps us here because we are a really good community >> because of my friends, the teachers and the principal. Like we read a book and then we do a project based on what happened in that story. >> Math is my favorite subject because the teachers always help us and it's fun but 333 01:31:38.480 --> 01:31:54.880 it can be complicated but it's still really fun. My favorite teachers are probably all of my teachers cuz I got really good teachers. They have fun activities to do and their stories. My first grade teacher got me into reading and she got 334 01:31:54.880 --> 01:32:10.880 me into chapter books in Juni V. Jones. My favorite subject is science. In science, you do lots of experiments and I think experiments are very fun. Every day I'm like happy at school. When I came into sixth grade in Copeland where 335 01:32:10.880 --> 01:32:28.159 everything was new and different for me, Mrs. Heath, she was especially really kind to me, she still talks to me even though we don't really see each other that much and she gives me so much good luck for all the things that I do. One teacher that made me feel special and cared for was my seventh grade LA 336 01:32:28.159 --> 01:32:43.840 teacher. I used to just like like reading and writing and she really helped me understand and make that subject more fun. I think the wire school is awesome because you can make a lot of friends here and there's good teachers. Math is 337 01:32:43.840 --> 01:32:59.520 my favorite because like you can learn different things like times, plus minus. No matter where you come from or no matter what you like look like, people will be friends with you and welcome you into this school. One word to describe 338 01:32:59.520 --> 01:33:18.960 this school is probably heart. Honesty, empathy, acceptance, and respect and trust. This is probably one of the most special places I've ever worked. It is the staff, the teachers. Uh they are loving, they are caring. The energy here is just 339 01:33:18.960 --> 01:33:35.440 great. It's wonderful to work with a group of men and women who truly love what they do. Their heart, passion, and soul is for students, and to see them succeed. I try to find a way for them to want to be here. Even if they're sad or even if they don't want to get out of 340 01:33:35.440 --> 01:33:51.440 the car in the morning, if I say, "Hey, let's go wander in the library." And they bounce out of the car right away, which actually happened, then I've done something right that I have found a way to make them feel like this is home for them because that's kind of how I feel. I love the kids here. They are amazing. 341 01:33:51.440 --> 01:34:06.000 They're the best part of my day. They're the best part of my week. That's why I do what I do. >> So, my name is Jackson. My name is Mia. My name is Mariah. >> I think what awesome is about being Birchwood is the um the like artwork 342 01:34:06.000 --> 01:34:23.600 that's on the walls. Like in school, they have this like art thing where you go downstairs and like paint a wall with the art teacher. My favorite is recess. My favorite thing is reading and just 343 01:34:23.600 --> 01:34:40.719 doing a bunch of fun stuff. We get to do puzzle of the day and it's really fun. We get to watch videos at the end of the day. >> Our doors are always open. We are truly a family here. Our kids are just everything. >> If you've never taught at another school 344 01:34:40.719 --> 01:34:57.040 and you come to Birwood, you honestly never want to leave Birwood. You walk into this building and it's a family. We're all together. We're all happy. We're smiling. Nobody's cranky or miserable. We're here together for each other. Birchwood is very special because it is truly a family atmosphere. 345 01:34:57.040 --> 01:35:12.800 Students come back year after year. There's multi-generations that have attended Birchwood. It is truly a loving community. It's such a wonderful place to be. I commute an hour or more every day and I've been given the opportunity to work in another district, but I've 346 01:35:12.800 --> 01:35:28.159 been here 7 years and I will drive that hour because the community, the parents, the teachers, our principal are incredible. We're just so happy to have such a loving, nurturing community that is so vested in our school. We are 347 01:35:28.159 --> 01:35:49.520 family and once a bulldog, always a bulldog. I truly believe in an educator being able to make a difference in the world. It's so important to have a positive environment for a child to come to. And 348 01:35:49.520 --> 01:36:06.880 teaching at Dubire is special because we don't have walls. >> Our mantra we live by is no walls, no limits because being a school with no walls uh provides our students a great sense of community. You just know you're walking into a special place when you 349 01:36:06.880 --> 01:36:23.280 come through our doors. >> I like to tell people that when you're here, it's like learning at home. You're in your kitchen, but you still know what's going on in the family room. It builds like this, you know, camaraderie amongst not only the students but also the faculty that work here. We call 350 01:36:23.280 --> 01:36:38.080 ourselves a Dwire family. Mr. McGovern, he seldom calls us a school and we really all live by that. We treat each other like family and we emulate that for the kids. >> I think the wire school is awesome because you can make a lot of friends 351 01:36:38.080 --> 01:36:54.080 here and there's good teachers. Math is my favorite because like you can learn different things like times, plus minus. No matter where you come from or no matter what you like look like, people will be friends with you and welcome you 352 01:36:54.080 --> 01:37:10.960 into the school. One word to describe this school is probably heart, honesty, empathy, acceptance, and respect, and trust. I have been teaching art here in Rockaway Township for 16 years. I think 353 01:37:10.960 --> 01:37:26.400 social emotional learning is very important. It gives us a chance to discuss our emotions and give kids a chance to practice that emotional dialogue and that helps the whole child. I get the privilege of going into every 354 01:37:26.400 --> 01:37:41.920 single class once a month where I do a guidance lesson. The best part of my job is when one of them is having a tough day and then they feel better and it's because of me. >> The people I work with makes me come back every single day. I hire a very unique and special educator and that 355 01:37:41.920 --> 01:38:04.159 permeates throughout the building. I have the easiest job in the world because I have the hardest working teachers in the world. Every student who goes through Rockaway Township School District and will graduate from Copeland before they go on to high school. And we have an opportunity to instill core values into 356 01:38:04.159 --> 01:38:19.360 our students, helping students develop into future leaders into being positive role models and citizens in our community. >> I am the steam teacher at Copeland Middle School. I really love to see the growth and the change through the students. And what I really focus on is 357 01:38:19.360 --> 01:38:35.600 teamwork. So the kids are always in teams. We want to make sure everybody's feeling comfortable communicating their ideas. >> I want kids to come to school and feel like this is their second home. I want them to come into my classroom and feel comfortable, feel like they can be themselves. They may not come here and 358 01:38:35.600 --> 01:38:51.760 love math, but I want them to at least enjoy coming to math class. >> When I came into sixth grade in Copeland, where everything was new and different for me, Mrs. Heath, she was especially really kind to me. She still talks to me even though we don't really see each other that much and she gives 359 01:38:51.760 --> 01:39:06.320 me so much good luck for all the things that I do. One teacher that made me feel special and cared for was my seventh grade LA teacher. I used to dislike like reading and writing and she really helped me understand and make that 360 01:39:06.320 --> 01:39:22.239 subject more fun. Years ago, I had a sixth grade student who was absolutely petrified of mathematics. And I worked so carefully with her. I gave her extra help just to have her overcome this fear and it was fabulous to see that aha 361 01:39:22.239 --> 01:39:38.719 moment when she finally got it and that is why I do what I do every day. >> We are making sure kids are prepared for the future and that means making sure that they have access to technology. Every single classroom has interactive 362 01:39:38.719 --> 01:39:56.239 boards. Kids get a Chromebook in the fifth grade. >> They work as a team towards a common goal. They overcome challenges. We connect with the community through our concerts which are very well attended. Vanta Copeland is truly an all-inclusive experience for all of the students here. >> I try to get everybody involved so that 363 01:39:56.239 --> 01:40:11.840 they can make a positive impact in the future. I teach US history and I come to work every day excited. I get the opportunity to mold the next generation. >> The thing that makes Copa Middle School so great is truly the people. It's the 364 01:40:11.840 --> 01:40:31.679 students. It's the staff. It's the community members. It's the parent involvement. It's the investment in making it a better place. Our core values are the same as Rockaway Township. Heart, honesty, empathy, acceptance, respect, and trust. So we 365 01:40:31.679 --> 01:40:47.520 can focus on particularly on being kind >> by being kind to a friend, helping them out, helping teachers, be nice to them, be respectful and don't interrupt the teachers. >> And everything we do, we try and relate back to our core values. One of the 366 01:40:47.520 --> 01:41:04.000 things we are working on right now is positive behavior system. I don't like to address anything negative in my office because I want kids to be able to trust me and to be able to come down as a leader of the building. So, we're really working on being kind. And yes, academics are important, but one of the main things for us is that we raise good 367 01:41:04.000 --> 01:41:19.360 kids. The main message is to be kind because above all else, we want our kids just to be kind. >> My name is Carly and I am in fifth grade and I go to DVL. >> Yeah. My name is Rehea. I'm in first grade. >> Being at DVL is awesome because all the 368 01:41:19.360 --> 01:41:35.760 teachers here are so great and so nice. >> I like the teachers here. They make it awesome here. She teaches well and then she teaches us stuff which we have never learned. >> My favorite subject is probably math 369 01:41:35.760 --> 01:41:51.280 because I like all the challenges. >> My favorite special is art class with Miss Takis because drawing is my favorite thing. >> What makes DBL unique is that everyone is so kind to each other and everyone cares about each other. 370 01:41:51.280 --> 01:42:08.000 If I had to describe our building in one word, I would say we're a little unconventional. We're always trying to have our teachers and our students look at other ways to achieve success. And for every student, that's different. There are other ways that we can really show student growth, student success. 371 01:42:08.000 --> 01:42:23.199 >> I'm not trying to be cheesy or anything. It's it really the staff here um we have built a family. And I think that says something about the building and the and the and the community that we foster here at DBO. And I'm really grateful to be part of that. >> Being outside in the morning at bus duty 372 01:42:23.199 --> 01:42:38.960 and having kids coming up and just happy to see me. Teachers who I now share personal connections with because I've been here for 11 years as the principal. >> After teaching for 25 years, I can't pinpoint one moment of time that is a story of why I come back every day. Any 373 01:42:38.960 --> 01:42:55.040 good lesson makes me feel alive. Going to the soccer games, the football games, seeing my students outside the classroom. I want the kids to feel at home and I feel the more comfortable that they are, the relationship that we build together, the better they're going to do in class, not not only enjoy their 374 01:42:55.040 --> 01:43:16.320 time in class, but also take risks. >> So, yeah, I I think for me it's just being a part of something, being a part of the team. Uh we're all very different, but um but we we get along and, you know, we support each other. What really resonates with me about the 375 01:43:16.320 --> 01:43:33.199 school is that we put more value in developing personal growth versus comparison to others. Whether it be a difficult learning task or a challenging learning experience, they learn to persevere and we can bring out something in themselves that they might not have seen before. 376 01:43:33.199 --> 01:43:49.040 >> It's a really great environment here at KDM. My co-workers are great. The students every day, they make me laugh. One thing that I really work on in my classroom is growth mindset. I did have a student that came in and really didn't like math. They were really negative selft talking saying that they can't do 377 01:43:49.040 --> 01:44:05.040 this. And so basically throughout the whole year we worked on just changing that mindset. Just because we can't do something right now doesn't mean that we're never going to be able to do it. And that's what I teach all of my students. >> My favorite teachers are probably all of 378 01:44:05.040 --> 01:44:22.480 my teachers cuz I got really good teachers. They have fun activities to do and their stories. My first grade teacher got me into reading and she got me into chapter books in Juni B. Jones. >> My favorite subject is science. In science, you do lots of experiments and 379 01:44:22.480 --> 01:44:37.760 I think experiments are very fun. Every day I'm like happy at school. >> We identify the interests of students. You know what motivates them so students feel more comfortable and confident in their learning environment moving them forward from one learning experience to 380 01:44:37.760 --> 01:44:55.600 another. Every morning I'm inspired by these children. Their energy, their willingness to support and grow with one another is contagious. >> One of the things that I'm really hoping to teach them more than anything else is about kindness and you know being good 381 01:44:55.600 --> 01:45:12.800 friends to each other. One of my most favorite success stories is a particular student when you know he would come into the classroom even right first thing in the morning his head would be down on that desk. I'm trying to instill intrinsic love for school, intrinsic love for education. And over time, I've 382 01:45:12.800 --> 01:45:34.800 seen him pick that head up. And that's why I do what I do. To have a kid come in and their school's a happy place for them and they want to come. >> Stony Brook is an amazing place. It really is. And I think anybody who joins us, whether it's full-time or visitors 383 01:45:34.800 --> 01:45:50.639 in the building just for a day, uh, you know, I think echo that sentiment. Our staff is second to none. They really put the kids first all the time. And our students are exceptional as well. It's a wonderful school community. Our PTA is incredibly involved. Everything we do is well attended and back to school nights, 384 01:45:50.639 --> 01:46:07.440 our events, and we have very involved school community both academically working handin-hand with our teachers, but also I think for extracurricular as well. Inside school, I really try to be involved in as many things as I can. My children also go to school in this district at one of the other schools and I'm really proud of what we put forth 385 01:46:07.440 --> 01:46:23.360 for our children. Anytime we can bring togetherness and have us all work together, both in our community and out, it's really going to help everyone raise their own level of abilities to really increase the success of our community. So, we used to always start off with a growth mindset and we do a lot of 386 01:46:23.360 --> 01:46:40.560 lessons about how we are able to do things that might seem hard like a harder task. And I think that if we really teach our kids to be resilient and show grit in the face of a harder task, then all the other academic challenges that they're faced with come a little bit easier. Having students in 387 01:46:40.560 --> 01:46:57.679 a classroom that's smaller where you get to meet their needs specifically rather than in a bigger classroom, you can build more of a rapport and relationships with them. I like them to become successful, not just academically, but also social, emotionally. >> My name is Queen Kren. I'm in the fifth grade. >> Hi, my name's Arya. I am in second 388 01:46:57.679 --> 01:47:13.760 grade. >> What makes our school awesome is all the teachers we have here. They help us every day. All the janitors keep our school nice and clean. All my friends that helped me since kindergarten, and everybody just helps us here cuz we are a really good community. because of my 389 01:47:13.760 --> 01:47:28.880 friends, the teachers, and the principal. Like, we read a book and then we do a project based on what happened in that story. Math is my favorite subject because the teachers always help us and it's fun, but it can be complicated, but it's still really fun. 390 01:47:28.880 --> 01:47:45.199 >> I've always wanted to be a teacher. I think the reason why I wanted to be a teacher is because I think I had really good elementary school teachers. Rockway I thought was really interesting because I feel like it is a small close-knit community, but I also felt like there's a lot of different opportunities in 391 01:47:45.199 --> 01:48:00.719 Rockway. I like how there was five different elementary schools, but I also like how I felt like that I fit in with the Stony Brook mentality. The Stony Brook mentality is something where we all feel and have the same idea of supporting students. the kids understand that everyone makes a mistake. Everyone 392 01:48:00.719 --> 01:48:16.920 has a bad day. And I think that it gives the opportunity for kids to grow and not feel like penalized. I love that we have a great principal. I love the teachers and the morale. As soon as I started coming up here, since I am from South Jersey, I felt welcomed and included right away. 393 01:48:17.600 --> 01:48:33.280 >> My name is Dr. Richard Corbett and I am the proud superintendent of Rockaway Township Public Schools. I was just waving to some of our wonderful students as they were walking by and I'm so happy and pleased to say that when I walk through these halls and talk to these students in these six 394 01:48:33.280 --> 01:48:50.000 different schools, I see students that are learning and having fun and to me those are two very important qualities of a very very effective education. >> Birchwood is very special because it is truly a family atmosphere. Students come back year after year. There's 395 01:48:50.000 --> 01:49:05.920 multi-generations that have attended Birwood. It is truly a loving community. It's such a wonderful place to be. >> Our core values are the same as Rockaway Township. Heart, honesty, empathy, acceptance, respect, and trust. So, we can focus on particularly on being kind. 396 01:49:05.920 --> 01:49:22.239 >> What really resonates with me about the school is that we put more value in developing personal growth versus comparison to others. Whether it be a difficult learning task or a challenging learning experience, they learn to persevere. and we can bring out something in themselves that they might 397 01:49:22.239 --> 01:49:37.520 not have seen before. >> Stony Brook is an amazing place. It really is. And I think anybody who joins us, whether it's full-time or visitors in the building just for a day, uh, you know, I think echo that sentiment. Our staff is second to none. They really put the kids first all the time. And our 398 01:49:37.520 --> 01:49:53.360 students are exceptional as well. It's a wonderful school community. Our PTA is incredibly involved. Everything we do is well attended. back to school nights, our events, and we have a very involved school community both academically working handin-hand with our teachers, but also I think for extracurricular as 399 01:49:53.360 --> 01:50:08.880 well. >> Every student who goes through Rockaway Township School District and will graduate from Copeland before they go on to high school. And we have an opportunity to instill core values into our students, helping students develop into future leaders, into being positive 400 01:50:08.880 --> 01:50:23.840 role models and citizens in our community. Our mantra we live by is no walls, no limits because being a school with no walls uh provides our students a great sense of community. You just know you're walking into a special place when you come through our doors. What keeps 401 01:50:23.840 --> 01:50:40.560 me coming back here every morning? Hugs from kids. You know, I love being outside in the morning at bus duty and having kids coming up and just happy to see me. Teachers who I now share personal connections with because I've been here for 11 years as the principal. So yeah, I I think for me it's just 402 01:50:40.560 --> 01:50:55.600 being a part of something, being a part of the team. Uh we're all very different, but um but we we get along and you know, we support each other. >> Every morning I'm inspired by these children, their energy, their willingness to support and grow with one 403 01:50:55.600 --> 01:51:10.800 another is contagious. >> The people I work with makes me come back every single day. I hire a very unique and special educator and that permeates throughout the building. I have the easiest job in the world because I have the hardest working teachers in the world. >> The thing that makes Scopland Middle 404 01:51:10.800 --> 01:51:27.119 School so great is truly the people. It's the students. It's the staff. It's the community members. It's the parent involvement. It's the investment in making it a better place. >> I come here for the students. I love the kids here. They are amazing. They're the best part of my day. They're the best 405 01:51:27.119 --> 01:51:45.920 part of my week. That's why I do what I do. I'm proud to be the superintendent of Rockway Township Schools and we are thankful for all the support we have from our community. I truly believe in an educator being able to make a difference in the world. 406 01:51:45.920 --> 01:52:03.679 It's so important to have a positive environment for a child to come to and teaching at Dubire is special because we don't have walls. I think social emotional learning is very important. It gives us a chance to discuss our 407 01:52:03.679 --> 01:52:20.480 emotions and give kids a chance to practice that emotional dialogue and that helps the whole child. If you've never taught at another school and you come to Birchwood, you honestly never want to leave Birchwood. You walk into this building and it's a family. 408 01:52:20.480 --> 01:52:36.159 We're all together. We're all happy. We're smiling. Nobody's cranky or miserable. We're here together for each other. One of the things that I love the most about this position and this job is that I get to work with students of all ages now that we house preschool students here. I see every single 409 01:52:36.159 --> 01:52:52.400 student in the building from preschool all the way through fifth grade. And I get to work with them on a deeper level on a way that inspires them not just to be confident in themselves but in what they love. 410 01:52:52.400 --> 01:53:08.960 After teaching for 25 years, I can't pinpoint one moment of time that is a story of why I come back every day. Any good lesson makes me feel alive. Going to the soccer games, the football games, seeing my students outside the classroom. I want the kids to feel at 411 01:53:08.960 --> 01:53:27.040 home and I feel the more comfortable that they are, that the relationship that we build together, the better they're going to do in class. Not not only enjoy their time in class, but also take risks. It's a really great environment here at KDM. My co-workers are great. The students every day, they make me laugh. 412 01:53:27.040 --> 01:53:42.880 One thing that I really work on in my classroom is growth mindset. I did have a student that came in and really didn't like math. They were really negative self-talking, saying that they can't do this. And so, basically throughout the whole year, we worked on just changing that mindset. One of the things that I'm 413 01:53:42.880 --> 01:53:58.560 really hoping to teach them more than anything else is about kindness and, you know, being good friends to each other. One of my most favorite success stories is a particular student when you know he would come into the classroom even right first thing in the morning his head would be down on that desk. I've tried 414 01:53:58.560 --> 01:54:16.119 to instill intrinsic love for school, intrinsic love for education and over time I've seen him pick that head up and that's why I do what I do to have a kid come in and their school's a happy place for them and they want to come. 415 01:54:16.560 --> 01:54:32.239 So, we used to always start off with a growth mindset and we do a lot of lessons about how we are able to do things that might seem hard, like a harder task. And I think that if we really teach our kids to be resilient and show grit in the face of a harder 416 01:54:32.239 --> 01:54:48.080 task, then all the other academic challenges that they're faced with come a little bit easier. >> Our goal here is that every child is as comfortable in class as they are at home. and if they're ever in trouble, they're ever concerned or worried that they have the tools available to them to be successful and to help each other be 417 01:54:48.080 --> 01:55:04.639 as successful as we know they can be. We have really seen over the years an incredible increase in their emotional maturity and in their abilities to deal with issues both in the playground and in the classroom. And I really believe it's because our district's focus on 418 01:55:04.639 --> 01:55:23.679 SEAL over the last several years. I am the steam teacher at Copeland Middle School. I really love to see the growth and the change through the students and what I really focus on is teamwork. So the kids are always in teams. We want to make sure everybody's feeling comfortable communicating their 419 01:55:23.679 --> 01:55:39.119 ideas. I want kids to come to school and feel like this is their second home. I want them to come into my classroom and feel comfortable, feel like they can be themselves. They may not come here and love math, but I want them to at least enjoy coming to math class. Years ago, I 420 01:55:39.119 --> 01:55:54.400 had a sixth grade student who was absolutely petrified of mathematics. And I worked so carefully with her. I gave her extra help just to have her overcome this fear. And it was fabulous to see that aha moment when she finally got it. 421 01:55:54.400 --> 01:56:10.800 And that is why I do what I do every day. >> So, my name is Jackson. >> My name is Mia. My name is Mariah. >> I think what awesome is about being in Birwood is the um the like artwork that's on the walls. Like in school, 422 01:56:10.800 --> 01:56:25.440 they have this like art thing where you go downstairs and like paint a wall with the art teacher. My favorite is recess. My favorite thing is reading and just 423 01:56:25.440 --> 01:56:42.639 doing a bunch of fun stuff. We get to do puzzle of the day and it's really fun. We get to watch videos at the end of the day. >> My name is Carly and I am in fifth grade and I go to DVO. >> Yeah. My name is Rehea. I'm in first 424 01:56:42.639 --> 01:56:58.639 grade. >> Being at DVL is awesome because all the teachers here are so great and so nice. >> I like the teachers here. They make it awesome here. She teaches well and then she teaches us stuff which we have never 425 01:56:58.639 --> 01:57:14.480 learned. >> My favorite subject is probably math because I like all the challenges. >> My favorite special is art class with Miss Takis because drawing is my favorite thing. >> What makes DBL unique is that everyone is so kind to each other and everyone 426 01:57:14.480 --> 01:57:30.639 cares about each other. >> My name is Queen Kern. I'm in the fifth grade. >> Hi, my name is Arya. I am in second grade. >> What makes our school awesome is all the teachers we have here. They help us every day. All the janitors keep our school nice and clean. All my friends 427 01:57:30.639 --> 01:57:46.000 that helped me since kindergarten. And everybody just helps us here cuz we are a really good community. >> Because of my friends, the teachers, and the principal. Like we read a book and then we do a project based on what happened in that story. Math is my 428 01:57:46.000 --> 01:58:03.840 favorite subject because the teachers always help us and it's fun, but it can be complicated, but it's still really fun. >> My favorite teachers are probably all of my teachers cuz I got really good teachers. They have fun activities to do and their stories. My first grade 429 01:58:03.840 --> 01:58:19.840 teacher got me into reading and she got me into chapter books and Juni B. Jones. My favorite subject is science. In science, you do lots of experiments and I think experiments are very fun. Every day I'm like happy at school. When I 430 01:58:19.840 --> 01:58:35.199 came into sixth grade in Copeland where everything was new and different for me. Mrs. Heath, she was especially really kind to me. She still talks to me even though we don't really see each other that much and she gives me so much good luck for all the things that I do. One 431 01:58:35.199 --> 01:58:50.400 teacher that made me feel special and cared for was my seventh grade LA teacher. I used to just like like reading and writing and she really helped me understand and make that subject more fun. >> I think the wire school is awesome 432 01:58:50.400 --> 01:59:05.840 because you can make a lot of friends here and there's good teachers. Math is my favorite because like you can learn different things like times plus minus. No matter where you come from or no matter what you like look like, people 433 01:59:05.840 --> 01:59:23.440 will be friends with you and welcome you into the school. One word to describe this school is probably heart. Honesty, empathy, acceptance, and respect and trust. This is probably one of the most special 434 01:59:23.440 --> 01:59:39.599 places I've ever worked. It is the staff, the teachers. Uh they are loving, they are caring. The energy here is just great. It's wonderful to work with a group of men and women who truly love what they do. their heart, passion, and soul is for students and to see them succeed. 435 01:59:39.599 --> 01:59:55.199 >> I try to find a way for them to want to be here. Even if they're sad or even if they don't want to get out of the car in the morning, if I say, "Hey, let's go wander in the library." And they bounce out of the car right away, which actually happened, then I've done something right that I have found a way 436 01:59:55.199 --> 02:00:12.239 to make them feel like this is home for them because that's kind of how I feel. I love the kids here. They're amazing. They're the best part of my day. They're the best part of my week. That's why I do what I do. >> So, my name is Jackson. >> My name is Mia. My name is Mariah. 437 02:00:12.239 --> 02:00:30.320 >> I think what awesome is about being in Birchwood is the um the like artwork that's on the walls. Like in school, they have this like art thing where you go downstairs and like paint a wall with the art teacher. My favorite is recess. 438 02:00:30.320 --> 02:00:48.800 My favorite thing is reading and just doing a bunch of fun stuff. We get to do puzzle of the day and it's really fun. We get to watch videos at the end of the day. >> Our doors are always open. We are truly a family here. Our kids are just 439 02:00:48.800 --> 02:01:03.920 everything. >> If you've never taught at another school and you come to Birwood, you honestly never want to leave Birchwood. You walk into this building and it's a family. We're all together. We're all happy. We're smiling. Nobody's cranky or miserable. We're here together for each other. 440 02:01:03.920 --> 02:01:20.639 >> Birchwood is very special because it is truly a family atmosphere. Students come back year after year. There's multi-generations that have attended Birwood. It is truly a loving community. It's such a wonderful place to be. I commute an hour or more every day. And 441 02:01:20.639 --> 02:01:37.280 I've been given the opportunity to work in another district, but I've been here 7 years. and I will drive that hour because the community, the parents, the teachers, our principal are incredible. >> We're just so happy to have such a loving, nurturing community that is so 442 02:01:37.280 --> 02:01:57.920 vested in our school. We are family and once a bulldog, always a bulldog. I truly believe in an educator being able to make a difference in the world. It's so important to have a positive 443 02:01:57.920 --> 02:02:14.239 environment for a child to come to and teaching at Dubire is special because we don't have walls. Our mantra we live by is no walls, no limits because being a school with no walls uh provides our students a great 444 02:02:14.239 --> 02:02:31.040 sense of community. You just know you're walking into a special place when you come through our doors. I like to tell people that when you're here, it's like learning at home. You're in your kitchen, but you still know what's going on in the family room. It builds like this, you know, commodery amongst not 445 02:02:31.040 --> 02:02:47.920 only the students, but also the faculty that work here. We call ourselves a Dwire family. Mr. McGovern, he seldom calls us a school and we really all live by that. We treat each other like family and we emulate that for the kids. I think the wire school is awesome because 446 02:02:47.920 --> 02:03:03.119 you can make a lot of friends here and there's good teachers. Math is my favorite because like you can learn different things like times, plus minus. No matter where you come from or no matter what you like look like, people 447 02:03:03.119 --> 02:03:22.159 will be friends with you and welcome you into the school. One word to describe this school is probably heart. Honesty, empathy, acceptance, and respect and trust. I have been teaching art here in Rockaway Township for 16 years. I think 448 02:03:22.159 --> 02:03:37.599 social emotional learning is very important. It gives us a chance to discuss our emotions and give kids a chance to practice that emotional dialogue and that helps the whole child. I get the privilege of going into every 449 02:03:37.599 --> 02:03:53.119 single class once a month where I do a guidance lesson. The best part of my job is when one of them is having a tough day and then they feel better and it's because of me. >> The people I work with makes me come back every single day. I hire a very unique and special educator and that 450 02:03:53.119 --> 02:04:16.159 permeates throughout the building. I have the easiest job in the world because I have the hardest working teachers in the world. Every student who goes through Rockaway Township School District will graduate from Copeland before they go on to high school. And we have an opportunity to instill core values into our students, 451 02:04:16.159 --> 02:04:32.480 helping students develop into future leaders into being positive role models and citizens in our community. >> I am the steam teacher at Copeland Middle School. I really love to see the growth and the change through the students. And what I really focus on is teamwork. So the kids are always in 452 02:04:32.480 --> 02:04:48.400 teams. We want to make sure everybody's feeling comfortable communicating their ideas. >> I want kids to come to school and feel like this is their second home. I want them to come into my classroom and feel comfortable, feel like they can be themselves. They may not come here and love math, but I want them to at least 453 02:04:48.400 --> 02:05:03.760 enjoy coming to math class. When I came into sixth grade in Copeland, where everything was new and different for me, Mrs. Heath, she was especially really kind to me. She still talks to me even though we don't really see each other that much and she gives me so much good 454 02:05:03.760 --> 02:05:20.080 luck for all the things that I do. One teacher that made me feel special and cared for was my 7th grade LA teacher. I used to dislike like reading and writing and she really helped me understand and make that subject more fun. Years ago, I 455 02:05:20.080 --> 02:05:35.360 had a sixth grade student who was absolutely petrified of mathematics. And I worked so carefully with her. I gave her extra help just to have her overcome this fear and it was fabulous to see that aha moment when she finally got it 456 02:05:35.360 --> 02:05:52.639 and that is why I do what I do every day. >> We are making sure kids are prepared for the future and that means making sure that they have access to technology. Every single classroom has interactive boards. Kids get a Chromebook in the 457 02:05:52.639 --> 02:06:07.440 fifth grade. >> They work as a team towards a common goal. They overcome challenges. We connect with the community through our concerts which are very well attended. Vanda Copeland is truly an all-inclusive experience for all of the students here. >> I try to get everybody involved so that 458 02:06:07.440 --> 02:06:22.639 they can make a positive impact in the future. I teach US history and I come to work every day excited. I get the opportunity to mold the next generation. >> The thing that makes Copeland Middle School so great is truly the people. 459 02:06:22.639 --> 02:06:42.960 It's the students. It's the staff. It's the community members. It's the parent involvement. It's the investment in making it a better place. >> Our core values are the same as Rockaway Township. Heart, honesty, empathy, acceptance, respect, and trust. So we 460 02:06:42.960 --> 02:06:58.800 can focus on particularly on being kind >> by being kind to a friend, helping them out, helping teachers, be nice to them, be respectful and don't interrupt the teachers. >> And everything we do, we try and relate back to our core values. One of the 461 02:06:58.800 --> 02:07:15.199 things we are working on right now is positive behavior system. I don't like to address anything negative in my office because I want kids to be able to trust me and to be able to come down as a leader of the building. So, we're really working on being kind. And yes, academics are important, but one of the main things for us is that we raise good 462 02:07:15.199 --> 02:07:30.639 kids. The main message is to be kind because above all else, we want our kids just to be kind. >> My name is Carly and I am in fifth grade and I go to DVO. >> Yeah. My name is Rehea. I'm in first grade. >> Being at DVL is awesome because all the 463 02:07:30.639 --> 02:07:47.040 teachers here are so great and so nice. >> I like the teachers here. They make it awesome here. She teaches well and then she teaches us stuff which we have never learned. >> My favorite subject is probably math 464 02:07:47.040 --> 02:08:02.480 because I like all the challenges. >> My favorite special is art class with Miss Takis because drawing is my favorite thing. >> What makes DBL unique is that everyone is so kind to each other and everyone cares about each other. 465 02:08:02.480 --> 02:08:19.280 If I had to describe our building in one word, I would say we're a little unconventional. We're always trying to have our teachers and our students look at other ways to achieve success. And for every student, that's different. There are other ways that we can really show student growth, student success. 466 02:08:19.280 --> 02:08:34.480 >> I'm not trying to be cheesy or anything. It's it really the staff here, um, we have built a family. And I think that says something about the building and the and and the community that we foster here at ZBO. And I'm really grateful to be part of that. >> Being outside in the morning at bus duty 467 02:08:34.480 --> 02:08:50.239 and having kids coming up and just happy to see me, teachers who I now share personal connections with because I've been here for 11 years as the principal. >> After teaching for 25 years, I can't pinpoint one moment of time that is a story of why I come back every day. Any 468 02:08:50.239 --> 02:09:06.320 good lesson makes me feel alive. Going to the soccer games, the football games, seeing my students outside the classroom. I want the kids to feel at home and I feel the more comfortable that they are, the relationship that we build together, the better they're going to do in class, not not only enjoy their 469 02:09:06.320 --> 02:09:27.599 time in class, but also take risks. >> So, yeah, I I think for me it's just being a part of something, being a part of the team. Uh we're all very different, but um but we we get along and you know, we support each other. really resonates with me about this 470 02:09:27.599 --> 02:09:44.480 school is that we put more value in developing personal growth versus comparison to others. Whether it be a difficult learning task or a challenging learning experience, they learn to persevere and we can bring out something in themselves that they might not have seen before. 471 02:09:44.480 --> 02:10:00.320 >> It's a really great environment here at KDM. My co-workers are great. The students every day, they make me laugh. One thing that I really work on in my classroom is growth mindset. I did have a student that came in and really didn't like math. They were really negative self-talking, saying that they can't do 472 02:10:00.320 --> 02:10:16.320 this. And so, basically throughout the whole year, we worked on just changing that mindset. Just because we can't do something right now doesn't mean that we're never going to be able to do it. And that's what I teach all of my students. >> My favorite teachers are probably all of 473 02:10:16.320 --> 02:10:33.760 my teachers cuz I got really good teachers. They have fun activities to do and their stories. My first grade teacher got me into reading and she got me into chapter books in Juni B. Jones. >> My favorite subject is science. In science, you do lots of experiments and 474 02:10:33.760 --> 02:10:48.320 I think experiments are very fun. Every day I'm like happy at school. >> We identify the interests of students. You know, what motivates them so students feel more comfortable and confident in their learning environment, moving them forward from one learning 475 02:10:48.320 --> 02:11:06.880 experience to another. Every morning I'm inspired by these children. Their energy, their willingness to support and grow with one another is contagious. >> One of the things that I'm really hoping to teach them more than anything else is about kindness and you know being good 476 02:11:06.880 --> 02:11:21.520 friends to each other. One of my most favorite success stories is a particular student when you know he would come into the classroom even right first thing in the morning his head would be down on that desk. I trying to instill intrinsic love for school, intrinsic love for 477 02:11:21.520 --> 02:11:44.079 education. And over time, I've seen him pick that head up. And that's why I do what I do. To have a kid come in and their school's a happy place for them and they want to come. >> Stony Brook is an amazing place. It really is. And I think anybody who joins 478 02:11:44.079 --> 02:12:00.079 us, whether it's full-time or visitors in the building just for a day, uh, you know, I think echo that sentiment. Our staff is second to none. They really put the kids first all the time. And our students are exceptional as well. It's a wonderful school community. Our PTA is incredibly involved. Everything we do is 479 02:12:00.079 --> 02:12:15.199 well attended. Back to school nights, our events, and we have a very involved school community both academically working handin-hand with our teachers, but also I think for extracurricular as well. Inside school, I really try to be involved in as many things as I can. My children also go to school in this 480 02:12:15.199 --> 02:12:31.679 district at one of the other schools and I'm really proud of what we put forth for our children. Anytime we can bring togetherness and have us all work together, both in our community and out, it's really going to help everyone raise their own level of abilities to really increase the success of our community. So we used to always start off with a 481 02:12:31.679 --> 02:12:47.440 growth mindset and we do a lot of lessons about how we are able to do things that might seem hard like a harder task. And I think that if we really teach our kids to be resilient and show grit in the face of a harder task then all the other academic 482 02:12:47.440 --> 02:13:04.000 challenges that they're faced with come a little bit easier. Having students in a classroom that's smaller where you get to meet their needs specifically rather than in a bigger classroom. You can build more of a rapport and relationships with them. I like them to become successful not just academically but also social emotionally. 483 02:13:04.000 --> 02:13:20.239 >> My name is Queen. I'm in the fifth grade. >> Hi, my name's Arya. I am in second grade. What makes our school awesome is all the teachers we have here. They help us every day. All the janitors keep our school nice and clean. All my friends that helped me since kindergarten and 484 02:13:20.239 --> 02:13:37.119 everybody just helps us here cuz we are a really good community. >> Because of my friends, the teachers and the principal. like we read a book and then we do a project based on what happened in that story. Math is my favorite subject because the teachers always help us and it's fun but it can 485 02:13:37.119 --> 02:13:53.840 be complicated but still really fun. >> I've always wanted to be a teacher. I think the reason why I wanted to be a teacher is because I think I had really good elementary school teachers. Rockway I thought was really interesting because I feel like it is a small close-knit community, but I also felt like there's 486 02:13:53.840 --> 02:14:10.320 a lot of different opportunities in Rockway. I like how there was five different elementary schools, but I also like how I felt like that I fit in with the Stony Brook mentality. The Stony Brook mentality is something where we all feel and have the same idea of supporting students. the kids understand 487 02:14:10.320 --> 02:14:24.960 that everyone makes a mistake, everyone has a bad day, and I think that it gives the opportunity for kids to grow and not feel like penalized. I love that we have a great principal. I love the teachers and the morale. As soon as I started coming up here, since I am from South Jersey, I felt welcomed and included 488 02:14:24.960 --> 02:14:43.040 right away. >> My name is Dr. Richard Corbett and I am the proud superintendent of Rockaway Township Public Schools. I was just waving to some of our wonderful students as they were walking by. And I'm so happy and pleased to say that when I walk through these halls and 489 02:14:43.040 --> 02:14:59.360 talk to these students in these six different schools, I see students that are learning and having fun. And to me, those are two very important qualities of a very, very effective education. >> Birwood is very special because it is truly a family atmosphere. Students come 490 02:14:59.360 --> 02:15:14.480 back year after year. There's multi-generations that have attended Birwood. It is truly a loving community. It's such a wonderful place to be. >> Our core values are the same as Rockaway Township. Heart, honesty, empathy, acceptance, respect, and trust. So, we 491 02:15:14.480 --> 02:15:30.000 can focus on particularly on being kind. What really resonates with me about this school is that we put more value in developing personal growth versus comparison to others. Whether it be a difficult learning task or a challenging learning experience, they learn to 492 02:15:30.000 --> 02:15:46.400 persevere. and we can bring out something in themselves that they might not have seen before. >> Stony Brook is an amazing place. It really is. And I think anybody who joins us, whether it's full-time or visitors in the building just for a day, uh, you know, I think echo that sentiment. Our staff is second to none. They really put 493 02:15:46.400 --> 02:16:02.480 the kids first all the time. And our students are exceptional as well. It's a wonderful school community. Our PTA is incredibly involved. Everything we do is well attended. back to school nights, our events, and we have a very involved school community, both academically working handin-hand with our teachers, 494 02:16:02.480 --> 02:16:18.560 but also I think for extracurricular as well. >> Every student who goes through Rockaway Township School District will graduate from Copeland before they go on to high school. And we have an opportunity to instill core values into our students, helping students develop into future 495 02:16:18.560 --> 02:16:34.559 leaders into being positive role models and citizens in our community. Our mantra we live by is no walls, no limits because being a school with no walls uh provides our students a great sense of community. You just know you're walking into a special place when you come through our doors. 496 02:16:34.559 --> 02:16:51.120 >> What keeps me coming back here every morning? Hugs from kids. You know, I love being outside in the morning at bus duty and having kids coming up and just happy to see me. Teachers who I now share personal connections with because I've been here for 11 years as the principal. So yeah, I I think for me 497 02:16:51.120 --> 02:17:06.880 it's just being a part of something, being a part of the team. Uh we're all very different, but um but we we get along and you know, we support each other. >> Every morning I'm inspired by these children, their energy, their willingness to support and grow with one 498 02:17:06.880 --> 02:17:22.080 another is contagious. >> The people I work with makes me come back every single day. I hire a very unique and special educator and that permeates throughout the building. I have the easiest job in the world because I have the hardest working teachers in the world. >> The thing that makes Scopland Middle 499 02:17:22.080 --> 02:17:38.319 School so great is truly the people. It's the students. It's the staff. It's the community members. It's the parent involvement. It's the investment in making it a better place. >> I come here for the students. I love the kids here. They are amazing. They're the best part of my day. They're the best 500 02:17:38.319 --> 02:17:57.120 part of my week. That's why I do what I do. I'm proud to be the superintendent of Rockway Township Schools and we are thankful for all the support we have from our community. I truly believe in an educator being able to make a difference in the world. 501 02:17:57.120 --> 02:18:14.880 It's so important to have a positive environment for a child to come to and teaching at Dubire is special because we don't have walls. I think social emotional learning is very important. It gives us a chance to discuss our 502 02:18:14.880 --> 02:18:31.760 emotions and give kids a chance to practice that emotional dialogue and that helps the whole child. If you've never taught at another school and you come to Birchwood, you honestly never want to leave Birchwood. You walk into this building and it's a family. 503 02:18:31.760 --> 02:18:47.359 We're all together. We're all happy. We're smiling. Nobody's cranky or miserable. We're here together for each other. One of the things that I love the most about this position and this job is that I get to work with students of all ages now that we house preschool students here. I see every single 504 02:18:47.359 --> 02:19:03.599 student in the building from preschool all the way through fifth grade. And I get to work with them on a deeper level on a way that inspires them not just to be confident in themselves but in what they love. 505 02:19:03.599 --> 02:19:20.240 After teaching for 25 years, I can't pinpoint one moment of time that is a story of why I come back every day. Any good lesson makes me feel alive. Going to the soccer games, the football games, seeing my students outside the classroom. I want the kids to feel at 506 02:19:20.240 --> 02:19:38.240 home. And I feel the more comfortable that they are, the relationship that we build together, the better they're going to do in class. Not not only enjoy their time in class, but also take risks. It's a really great environment here at KDM. My co-workers are great. The students every day, they make me laugh. 507 02:19:38.240 --> 02:19:54.160 One thing that I really work on in my classroom is growth mindset. I did have a student that came in and really didn't like math. They were really negative self-talking, saying that they can't do this. And so, basically throughout the whole year, we worked on just changing that mindset. One of the things that I'm 508 02:19:54.160 --> 02:20:09.760 really hoping to teach them more than anything else is about kindness and, you know, being good friends to each other. One of my most favorite success stories is a particular student when you know he would come into the classroom even right first thing in the morning his head would be down on that desk. I've tried 509 02:20:09.760 --> 02:20:27.399 to instill intrinsic love for school, intrinsic love for education and over time I've seen him pick that head up and that's why I do what I do to have a kid come in and their school's a happy place for them and they want to come. 510 02:20:27.840 --> 02:20:43.439 So we used to always start off with a growth mindset and we do a lot of lessons about how we are able to do things that might seem hard like a harder task. And I think that if we really teach our kids to be resilient and show grit in the face of a harder 511 02:20:43.439 --> 02:20:59.280 task then all the other academic challenges that they're faced with come a little bit easier. >> Our goal here is that every child is as comfortable in class as they are at home. and if they're ever in trouble, they're ever concerned or worried that they have the tools available to them to be successful and to help each other be 512 02:20:59.280 --> 02:21:15.840 as successful as we know they can be. We have really seen over the years an incredible increase in their emotional maturity and in their abilities to deal with issues both in the playground and in the classroom. And I really believe it's because our district's focus on 513 02:21:15.840 --> 02:21:36.479 SEAL over the last several years. I am the steam teacher at Copeland Middle School. I really love to see the growth and the change to the students and what I really focus on is teamwork. So the kids are always in teams. We want to make sure everybody's feeling comfortable communicating their ideas. 514 02:21:36.479 --> 02:21:51.920 I want kids to come to school and feel like this is their second home. I want them to come into my classroom and feel comfortable, feel like they can be themselves. They may not come here and love math, but I want them to at least enjoy coming to math class. Years ago, I had a sixth grade student who was 515 02:21:51.920 --> 02:22:08.560 absolutely petrified of mathematics. And I worked so carefully with her. I gave her extra help just to have her overcome this fear. And it was fabulous to see that aha moment when she finally got it. And that is why I do what I do every 516 02:22:08.560 --> 02:22:24.640 day. >> So, my name is Jackson. >> My name is Mia. My name is Mariah. >> I think what awesome is about being in Birchwood is the um the like artwork that's on the walls. Like in school, they have this like art thing where you 517 02:22:24.640 --> 02:22:40.640 go downstairs and like paint a wall with the art teacher. My favorite is recess. My favorite thing is reading and just doing a bunch of fun stuff. We get to do 518 02:22:40.640 --> 02:22:56.880 puzzle of the day and it's really fun. We get to watch videos at the end of the day. >> My name is Carly and I am in fifth grade and I go to DVL. >> Yeah. My name is Rehea. I'm in first grade. >> Being at DVL is awesome because all the 519 02:22:56.880 --> 02:23:13.280 teachers here are so great and so nice. >> I like the teachers here. They make it awesome here. She teaches well and then she teaches us stuff which we have never learned. >> My favorite subject is probably math 520 02:23:13.280 --> 02:23:29.680 because I like all the challenges. >> My favorite special is art class with Miss Takis because drawing is my favorite thing. >> What makes DBL unique is that everyone is so kind to each other and everyone cares about each other. >> My name is Queen Kern. I'm in the fifth 521 02:23:29.680 --> 02:23:44.399 grade. >> Hi, my name is Arya. I am in second grade. >> What makes our school awesome is all the teachers we have here. They help us every day. All the janitors keep our school nice and clean. All my friends that help me since kindergarten and 522 02:23:44.399 --> 02:24:01.280 everybody just helps us here cuz we are a really good community. >> Because of my friends, the teachers and the principal. Like we read a book and then we do a project based on what happened in that story. Math is my favorite subject because the teachers always help us and it's fun but it can 523 02:24:01.280 --> 02:24:17.439 be complicated but it's still really fun. >> My favorite teachers are probably all of my teachers cuz I got really good teachers. They have fun activities to do and their stories. My first grade teacher got me into reading and she got 524 02:24:17.439 --> 02:24:33.359 me into chapter books in Juni V. Jones. My favorite subject is science. In science, you do lots of experiments and I think experiments are very fun. Every day I'm like happy at school. When I came into sixth grade in Copeland where 525 02:24:33.359 --> 02:24:50.640 everything was new and different for me. Mrs. Heath, she was especially really kind to me. She still talks to me even though we don't really see each other that much and she gives me so much good luck for all the things that I do. One teacher that made me feel special and cared for was my seventh grade LA 526 02:24:50.640 --> 02:25:06.319 teacher. I used to just like like reading and writing and she really helped me understand and make that subject more fun. >> I think the wire school is awesome because you can make a lot of friends here and there's good teachers. Math is 527 02:25:06.319 --> 02:25:21.920 my favorite because like you can learn different things like times plus minus. No matter where you come from or no matter what you like look like, people will be friends with you and welcome you into the school. One word to describe 528 02:25:21.920 --> 02:25:41.520 this school is probably heart. Honesty, empathy, acceptance, and respect and trust. This is probably one of the most special places I've ever worked. It is the staff, the teachers. Uh they are loving, they are caring, the energy here is just 529 02:25:41.520 --> 02:25:57.920 great. It's wonderful to work with a group of men and women who truly love what they do. their heart, passion, and soul is for students and to see them succeed. I try to find a way for them to want to be here. Even if they're sad or even if they don't want to get out of 530 02:25:57.920 --> 02:26:13.920 the car in the morning, if I say, "Hey, let's go wander in the library." And they bounce out of the car right away, which actually happened, then I've done something right that I have found a way to make them feel like this is home for them because that's kind of how I feel. I love the kids here. They're amazing. 531 02:26:13.920 --> 02:26:28.479 They're the best part of my day. They're the best part of my week. That's why I do what I do. >> So, my name is Jackson. >> My name is Mia. My name is Mariah. >> I think what awesome is about being in Birchwood is the um the like artwork 532 02:26:28.479 --> 02:26:46.080 that's on the walls. Like in school, they have this like art thing where you go downstairs and like paint a wall with the art teacher. My favorite is recess. My favorite thing is reading and just 533 02:26:46.080 --> 02:27:03.200 doing a bunch of fun stuff. We get to do puzzle of the day and it's really fun. We get to watch videos at the end of the day. >> Our doors are always open. We are truly a family here. Our kids are just everything. >> If you've never taught at another school 534 02:27:03.200 --> 02:27:20.080 and you come to Birwood, you honestly never want to leave Birwood. You walk into this building and it's a family. We're all together. We're all happy. We're smiling. Nobody's cranky or miserable. We're here together for each other. >> Birchwood is very special because it is truly a family atmosphere. Students come 535 02:27:20.080 --> 02:27:35.680 back year after year. There's multi-generations that have attended Birwood. It is truly a loving community. It's such a wonderful place to be. I commute an hour or more every day. And I've been given the opportunity to work in another district, but I've been here 536 02:27:35.680 --> 02:27:51.600 7 years. and I will drive that hour because the community, the parents, the teachers, our principal are incredible. >> We're just so happy to have such a loving, nurturing community that is so vested in our school. We are family and 537 02:27:51.600 --> 02:28:12.000 once a bulldog, always a bulldog. I truly believe in an educator being able to make a difference in the world. It's so important to have a positive environment for a child to come to and 538 02:28:12.000 --> 02:28:29.359 teaching at Dwire is special because we don't have walls. Our mantra we live by is no walls, no limits because being a school with no walls uh provides our students a great sense of community. You just know you're walking into a special place when you 539 02:28:29.359 --> 02:28:46.240 come through our doors. I like to tell people that when you're here, it's like learning at home. You're in your kitchen, but you still know what's going on in the family room. It builds like this, you know, commodery amongst not only the students, but also the faculty that work here. We call ourselves a 540 02:28:46.240 --> 02:29:03.680 Dwire family. Mr. McGovern, he seldom calls us a school and we really all live by that. We treat each other like family and we emulate that for the kids. I think the wire school is awesome because you can make a lot of friends here and there's good teachers. Math is 541 02:29:03.680 --> 02:29:19.280 my favorite because like you can learn different things like times, plus minus. No matter where you come from or no matter what you like look like, people will be friends with you and welcome you into the school. One word to describe 542 02:29:19.280 --> 02:29:38.319 this school is probably heart. Honesty, empathy, acceptance, and respect and trust. I have been teaching art here in Rockaway Township for 16 years. I think social and emotional learning is very important. It gives us a chance to 543 02:29:38.319 --> 02:29:55.040 discuss our emotions and give kids a chance to practice that emotional dialogue and that helps the whole child. I get the privilege of going into every single class once a month where I do a guidance lesson. The best part of my job is when one of them is having a tough 544 02:29:55.040 --> 02:30:12.200 day and then they feel better and it's because of me. >> The people I work with makes me come back every single day. I hire a very unique and special educator and that permeates throughout the building. I have the easiest job in the world because I have the hardest working teachers in the world. 545 02:30:17.600 --> 02:30:33.760 Every student who goes through Rockaway Township School District will graduate from Copeland before they go on to high school. And we have an opportunity to instill core values into our students, helping students develop into future leaders into being positive role models and citizens in our community. 546 02:30:33.760 --> 02:30:49.120 >> I am the steam teacher at Copeland Middle School. I really love to see the growth and the change through the students. And what I really focus on is teamwork. So the kids are always in teams. We want to make sure everybody's feeling comfortable communicating their ideas. 547 02:30:49.120 --> 02:31:04.080 >> I want kids to come to school and feel like this is their second home. I want them to come into my classroom and feel comfortable, feel like they can be themselves. They may not come here and love math, but I want them to at least enjoy coming to math class. >> When I came into sixth grade in 548 02:31:04.080 --> 02:31:19.280 Copeland, where everything was new and different for me, Mrs. Heath, she was especially really kind to me. She still talks to me even though we don't really see each other that much and she gives me so much good luck for all the things that I do. >> One teacher that made me feel special 549 02:31:19.280 --> 02:31:36.960 and cared for was my seventh grade LA teacher. I used to dislike like reading and writing and she really helped me understand and make that subject more fun. Years ago, I had a sixth grade student who was absolutely petrified of mathematics. And I worked so carefully 550 02:31:36.960 --> 02:31:54.479 with her. I gave her extra help just to have her overcome this fear and it was fabulous to see that aha moment when she finally got it and that is why I do what I do every day. >> We are making sure kids are prepared for 551 02:31:54.479 --> 02:32:10.399 the future and that means making sure that they have access to technology. Every single classroom has interactive boards. Kids get a Chromebook in the fifth grade. >> They work as a team towards a common goal. They overcome challenges. We connect with the community through our 552 02:32:10.399 --> 02:32:27.840 concerts which are very well attended. Vanta Copeland is truly an all-inclusive experience for all of the students here. >> I try to get everybody involved so that they can make a positive impact in the future. I teach US history and I come to work every day excited. I get the 553 02:32:27.840 --> 02:32:50.399 opportunity to mold the next generation. >> The thing that makes Copa Middle School so great is truly the people. It's the students. It's the staff. It's the community members. It's the parent involvement. It's the investment in making it a better place. >> Our core values are the same as Rockaway 554 02:32:50.399 --> 02:33:06.080 Township. Heart, honesty, empathy, acceptance, respect, and trust. So we can focus on particularly on being kind >> by being kind to a friend, helping them out, helping teachers, be nice to them, be respectful and don't interrupt the teachers. 555 02:33:06.080 --> 02:33:22.319 >> And everything we do, we try and relate back to our core values. One of the things we are working on right now is positive behavior system. I don't like to address anything negative in my office because I want kids to be able to trust me and to be able to come down as a leader of the building. So, we're really working on being kind. And yes, 556 02:33:22.319 --> 02:33:38.800 academics are important, but one of the main things for us is that we raise good kids. The main message is to be kind because above all else, we want our kids just to be kind. >> My name is Carly and I am in fifth grade and I go to DVL. >> Yeah. My name is Rehea. I'm in first 557 02:33:38.800 --> 02:33:54.880 grade. >> Being at DVO is awesome because all the teachers here are so great and so nice. >> I like the teachers here. They make it awesome here. She teaches well and then she teaches us stuff which we have never 558 02:33:54.880 --> 02:34:10.720 learned. >> My favorite subject is probably math because I like all the challenges. >> My favorite special is art class with Miss Takis because drawing is my favorite thing. >> What makes DBO unique is that everyone is so kind to each other and everyone 559 02:34:10.720 --> 02:34:26.319 cares about each other. If I had to describe our building in one word, I would say we're a little unconventional. We're always trying to have our teachers and our students look at other ways to achieve success. And for every student, that's different. 560 02:34:26.319 --> 02:34:42.640 There are other ways that we can really show student growth, student success. >> I'm not trying to be cheesy or anything. It's it really the staff here, um, we have built a family, and I think that says something about the building and the and and the community that we foster here at ZBO. And I'm really grateful to 561 02:34:42.640 --> 02:34:59.280 be part of that. >> Being outside in the morning at bus duty and having kids coming up and just happy to see me, teachers who I now share personal connections with because I've been here for 11 years as the principal. >> After teaching for 25 years, I can't pinpoint one moment of time that is a 562 02:34:59.280 --> 02:35:15.280 story of why I come back every day. Any good lesson makes me feel alive. Going to the soccer games, the football games, seeing my students outside the classroom. I want the kids to feel at home and I feel the more comfortable that they are, the relationship that we build together, the better they're going 563 02:35:15.280 --> 02:35:33.160 to do in class, not not only enjoy their time in class, but also take risks. >> So, yeah, I I think for me it's just being a part of something, being a part of the team. Uh we're all very different, but um but we we get along and you know, we support each other. 564 02:35:36.960 --> 02:35:53.439 really resonates with me about the school is that we put more value in developing personal growth versus comparison to others. Whether it be a difficult learning task or a challenging learning experience, they learn to persevere and we can bring out something in themselves that they might not have 565 02:35:53.439 --> 02:36:09.760 seen before. >> It's a really great environment here at KDM. My co-workers are great. The students every day, they make me laugh. One thing that I really work on in my classroom is growth mindset. I did have a student that came in and really didn't like math. They were really negative 566 02:36:09.760 --> 02:36:25.280 selft talking saying that they can't do this. And so basically throughout the whole year we worked on just changing that mindset. Just because we can't do something right now doesn't mean that we're never going to be able to do it. And that's what I teach all of my students. 567 02:36:25.280 --> 02:36:42.000 >> My favorite teachers are probably all of my teachers cuz I got really good teachers. They have fun activities to do and their stories. My first grade teacher got me into reading and she got me into chapter books and Juni B. Jones. My favorite subject is science. In 568 02:36:42.000 --> 02:36:58.080 science, you do lots of experiments and I think experiments are very fun. Every day I'm like happy at school. >> We identify the interests of students. You know what motivates them so students feel more comfortable and confident in their learning environment moving them 569 02:36:58.080 --> 02:37:16.319 forward from one learning experience to another. Every morning I'm inspired by these children. Their energy, their willingness to support and grow with one another is contagious. >> One of the things that I'm really hoping to teach them more than anything else is 570 02:37:16.319 --> 02:37:32.800 about kindness and you know being good friends to each other. One of my most favorite success stories is a particular student when you know he would come into the classroom even right first thing in the morning his head would be down on that desk. I trying to instill intrinsic love for school, intrinsic love for 571 02:37:32.800 --> 02:37:55.359 education. And over time, I've seen him pick that head up. And that's why I do what I do. To have a kid come in and their school's a happy place for them and they want to come. Stony Brook is an amazing place. It really is. And I think anybody who joins 572 02:37:55.359 --> 02:38:11.280 us, whether it's full-time or visitors in the building just for a day, you know, I think echo that sentiment. Our staff is second to none. They really put the kids first all the time and our students are exceptional as well. It's a wonderful school community. Our PTA is incredibly involved. Everything we do is 573 02:38:11.280 --> 02:38:28.160 well attended back to school nights, our events, and we have a very involved school community both academically working handin-hand with our teachers, but also I think for extracurricular as well. Inside school, I really try to be involved in as many things as I can. My children also go to school in this district at one of the other schools and 574 02:38:28.160 --> 02:38:42.960 I'm really proud of what we put forth for our children. Anytime we can bring togetherness and have us all work together, both in our community and out, it's really going to help everyone raise their own level of abilities to really increase the success of our community. So we used to always start off with a 575 02:38:42.960 --> 02:38:58.720 growth mindset and we do a lot of lessons about how we are able to do things that might seem hard like a harder task. And I think that if we really teach our kids to be resilient and show grit in the face of a harder task then all the other academic 576 02:38:58.720 --> 02:39:15.200 challenges that they're faced with come a little bit easier. Having students in a classroom that's smaller where you get to meet their needs specifically rather than in a bigger classroom. You can build more of a rapport and relationships with them. I like them to become successful not just academically but also social emotionally. 577 02:39:15.200 --> 02:39:31.520 >> My name is Queen. I'm in the fifth grade. >> Hi, my name's Arya. I am in second grade. >> What makes our school awesome is all the teachers we have here. They help us every day. All the janitors keep our school nice and clean. All my friends that helped me since kindergarten and 578 02:39:31.520 --> 02:39:48.000 everybody just helps us here cuz we are a really good community. >> Because of my friends, the teachers and the principal. like we read a book and then we do a project based on what happened in that story. >> Math is my favorite subject because the teachers always help us and it's fun but 579 02:39:48.000 --> 02:40:03.200 it can be complicated but it's still really fun. >> I've always wanted to be a teacher. I think the reason why I wanted to be a teacher is because I think I had really good elementary school teachers. Rockway I thought was really interesting because I feel like it is a small close-knit 580 02:40:03.200 --> 02:40:19.439 community, but I also felt like there's a lot of different opportunities in Rockway. I like how there was five different elementary schools, but I also like how I felt like that I fit in with the Stony Brook mentality. The Stony Brook mentality is something where we all feel and have the same idea of 581 02:40:19.439 --> 02:40:36.240 supporting students. the kids understand that everyone makes a mistake, everyone has a bad day, and I think that it gives the opportunity for kids to grow and not feel like penalized. I love that we have a great principal. I love the teachers and the morale. As soon as I started coming up here, since I am from South Jersey, I felt welcomed and included 582 02:40:36.240 --> 02:40:54.319 right away. >> My name is Dr. Richard Corbett and I am the proud superintendent of Rockaway Township Public Schools. I was just waving to some of our wonderful students as they were walking by and I'm so happy and pleased to say that when I walk through these halls and 583 02:40:54.319 --> 02:41:10.640 talk to these students in these six different schools, I see students that are learning and having fun and to me those are two very important qualities of a very very effective education. >> Birwood is very special because it is truly a family atmosphere. Students come 584 02:41:10.640 --> 02:41:25.760 back year after year. There's multi-generations that have attended Birwood. It is truly a loving community. It's such a wonderful place to be. >> Our core values are the same as Rockaway Township. Heart, honesty, empathy, acceptance, respect, and trust. So, we 585 02:41:25.760 --> 02:41:41.280 can focus on particularly on being kind. What >> really resonates with me about this school is that we put more value in developing personal growth versus comparison to others. Whether it be a difficult learning task or a challenging learning experience, they learn to 586 02:41:41.280 --> 02:41:57.680 persevere. and we can bring out something in themselves that they might not have seen before. >> Stony Brook is an amazing place. It really is. And I think anybody who joins us, whether it's full-time or visitors in the building just for a day, uh, you know, I think echo that sentiment. Our staff is second to none. They really put 587 02:41:57.680 --> 02:42:13.760 the kids first all the time. And our students are exceptional as well. It's a wonderful school community. Our PTA is incredibly involved. Everything we do is well attended. back to school nights, our events, and we have a very involved school community, both academically working handin-hand with our teachers, 588 02:42:13.760 --> 02:42:29.760 but also I think for extracurricular as well. >> Every student who goes through Rockaway Township School District will graduate from Copeland before they go on to high school. And we have an opportunity to instill core values into our students, helping students develop into future 589 02:42:29.760 --> 02:42:45.840 leaders, into being positive role models and citizens in our community. Our mantra we live by is no walls, no limits because being a school with no walls uh provides our students a great sense of community. You just know you're walking into a special place when you come through our doors. 590 02:42:45.840 --> 02:43:02.399 >> What keeps me coming back here every morning? Hugs from kids. You know, I love being outside in the morning at bus duty and having kids coming up and just happy to see me. Teachers who I now share personal connections with because I've been here for 11 years as the principal. So yeah, I I think for me 591 02:43:02.399 --> 02:43:18.160 it's just being a part of something, being a part of the team. Uh we're all very different, but um but we we get along and you know, we support each other. >> Every morning I'm inspired by these children, their energy, their willingness to support and grow with one 592 02:43:18.160 --> 02:43:35.040 another is contagious. >> The people I work with makes me come back every single day. I hire a very unique and special educator and that permeates throughout the building. I have the easiest job in the world because I have the hardest working teachers in the world. >> The thing that makes Scopland Middle School so great is truly the people. 593 02:43:35.040 --> 02:43:52.399 It's the students. It's the staff. It's the community members. It's the parent involvement. It's the investment in making it a better place. >> I come here for the students. I love the kids here. They are amazing. They're the best part of my day. They're the best part of my week. That's why I do what I 594 02:43:52.399 --> 02:44:08.319 do. I'm proud to be the superintendent of Rockway Township Schools and we are thankful for all the support we have from our community. I truly believe in an educator being able to make a difference in the world. 595 02:44:08.319 --> 02:44:26.160 It's so important to have a positive environment for a child to come to and teaching at Dubire is special because we don't have walls. I think social emotional learning is very important. It gives us a chance to discuss our 596 02:44:26.160 --> 02:44:43.040 emotions and give kids a chance to practice that emotional dialogue and that helps the whole child. If you've never taught at another school and you come to Birwood, you honestly never want to leave Birwood. You walk into this building and it's a family. 597 02:44:43.040 --> 02:44:58.640 We're all together. We're all happy. We're smiling. Nobody's cranky or miserable. We're here together for each other. One of the things that I love the most about this position and this job is that I get to work with students of all ages now that we house preschool students here. I see every single 598 02:44:58.640 --> 02:45:14.880 student in the building from preschool all the way through fifth grade. And I get to work with them on a deeper level on a way that inspires them not just to be confident in themselves but in what they love. 599 02:45:14.880 --> 02:45:31.439 After teaching for 25 years, I can't pinpoint one moment of time that is a story of why I come back every day. Any good lesson makes me feel alive. Going to the soccer games, the football games, seeing my students outside the classroom. I want the kids to feel at 600 02:45:31.439 --> 02:45:49.520 home. And I feel the more comfortable that they are, the relationship that we build together, the better they're going to do in class. Not not only enjoy their time in class, but also take risks. It's a really great environment here at KDM. My co-workers are great. The students every day, they make me laugh. 601 02:45:49.520 --> 02:46:05.359 One thing that I really work on in my classroom is growth mindset. I did have a student that came in and really didn't like math. They were really negative self-talking, saying that they can't do this. And so, basically throughout the whole year, we worked on just changing that mindset. One of the things that I'm 602 02:46:05.359 --> 02:46:20.960 really hoping to teach them more than anything else is about kindness and you know being good friends to each other. One of my most favorite success stories is a particular student when you know he would come into the classroom even right first thing in the morning his head would be down on that desk. I've tried 603 02:46:20.960 --> 02:46:38.520 to instill intrinsic love for school, intrinsic love for education. And over time, I've seen him pick that head up and that's why I do what I do to have a kid come in and their school's a happy place for them and they want to come. 604 02:46:38.960 --> 02:46:54.720 So, we used to always start off with a growth mindset and we do a lot of lessons about how we are able to do things that might seem hard like a harder task. And I think that if we really teach our kids to be resilient and show grit in the face of a harder 605 02:46:54.720 --> 02:47:10.560 task, then all the other academic challenges that they're faced with come a little bit easier. >> Our goal here is that every child is as comfortable in class as they are at home. And if they're ever in trouble, they're ever concerned or worried that they have the tools available to them to be successful and to help each other be 606 02:47:10.560 --> 02:47:27.120 as successful as we know they can be. We have really seen over the years an incredible increase in their emotional maturity and in their abilities to deal with issues both in the playground and in the classroom. And I really believe it's because our district's focus on 607 02:47:27.120 --> 02:47:47.680 seal over the last several years. >> I am the steam teacher at Copeland Middle School. I really love to see the growth and the change to the students. And what I really focus on is teamwork. So the kids are always in teams. We want to make sure everybody's feeling comfortable communicating their ideas. 608 02:47:47.680 --> 02:48:03.040 I want kids to come to school and feel like this is their second home. I want them to come into my classroom and feel comfortable, feel like they can be themselves. They may not come here and love math, but I want them to at least enjoy coming to math class. Years ago, I had a sixth grade student who was 609 02:48:03.040 --> 02:48:19.760 absolutely petrified of mathematics. And I worked so carefully with her. I gave her extra help just to have her overcome this fear. And it was fabulous to see that aha moment when she finally got it. And that is why I do what I do every 610 02:48:19.760 --> 02:48:36.160 day. >> So, my name is Jackson. >> My name is Mia. My name is Mariah. >> I think what awesome is about being in Birchwood is the um the like artwork that's on the walls. Like in school they have this like art thing where you go 611 02:48:36.160 --> 02:48:53.040 downstairs and like paint a wall with the art teacher. >> My favorite is recess. My favorite thing is reading and just doing a bunch of fun stuff. We get to do puzzle of the day 612 02:48:53.040 --> 02:49:08.160 and it's really fun. We get to watch videos at the end of the day. My name is Carly and I am in fifth grade and I go to DVL. >> Yeah, my name is Rehea. I'm in first grade. >> Being at DVL is awesome because all the 613 02:49:08.160 --> 02:49:24.560 teachers here are so great and so nice. >> I like the teachers here. They make it awesome here. She teaches well and then she teaches us stuff which we have never learned. >> My favorite subject is probably math 614 02:49:24.560 --> 02:49:40.960 because I like all the challenges. My favorite special is art class with Miss Takis. Plus, drawing is my favorite thing. >> What makes DBO unique is that everyone is so kind to each other and everyone cares about each other. >> My name is Queen Kern. I'm in the fifth 615 02:49:40.960 --> 02:49:55.680 grade. >> Hi, my name is Arya. I am in second grade. What makes our school awesome is all the teachers we have here. They help us every day. All the janitors keep our school nice and clean. all my friends that helped me since kindergarten and 616 02:49:55.680 --> 02:50:12.240 everybody just helps us here because we are a really good community >> because of my friends, the teachers and the principal. Like we read a book and then we do a project based on what happened in that story. >> Math is my favorite subject because the teachers always help us and it's fun but 617 02:50:12.240 --> 02:50:28.720 it can be complicated but it's still really fun. My favorite teachers are probably all of my teachers cuz I got really good teachers. They have fun activities to do and their stories. My first grade teacher got me into reading and she got 618 02:50:28.720 --> 02:50:44.640 me into chapter books in Juni V. Jones. My favorite subject is science. In science, you do lots of experiments and I think experiments are very fun. Every day I'm like happy at school. When I came into sixth grade in Copeland where 619 02:50:44.640 --> 02:51:01.920 everything was new and different for me, Mrs. Heath, she was especially really kind to me, she still talks to me even though we don't really see each other that much and she gives me so much good luck for all the things that I do. One teacher that made me feel special and cared for was my seventh grade LA 620 02:51:01.920 --> 02:51:17.600 teacher. I used to just like like reading and writing and she really helped me understand and make that subject more fun. I think the wire school is awesome because you can make a lot of friends here and there's good teachers. Math is 621 02:51:17.600 --> 02:51:33.279 my favorite because like you can learn different things like times, plus minus. No matter where you come from or no matter what you like look like, people will be friends with you and welcome you into this school. One word to describe 622 02:51:33.279 --> 02:51:52.560 this school is probably heart. Honesty, empathy, acceptance, and respect and trust. This is probably one of the most special places I've ever worked. It is the staff, the teachers. Uh they are loving, they are caring. The energy here is just 623 02:51:52.560 --> 02:52:09.040 great. It's wonderful to work with a group of men and women who truly love what they do. Their heart, passion, and soul is for students, and to see them succeed. I try to find a way for them to want to be here. Even if they're sad or even if they don't want to get out of 624 02:52:09.040 --> 02:52:25.040 the car in the morning, if I say, "Hey, let's go wander in the library." And they bounce out of the car right away, which actually happened, then I've done something right that I have found a way to make them feel like this is home for them because that's kind of how I feel. I love the kids here. They are amazing. 625 02:52:25.040 --> 02:52:39.600 They're the best part of my day. They're the best part of my week. That's why I do what I do. >> So, my name is Jackson. My name is Mia. My name is Mariah. >> I think what awesome is about being in Birchwood is the um the like artwork 626 02:52:39.600 --> 02:52:57.200 that's on the walls. Like in school, they have this like art thing where you go downstairs and like paint a wall with the art teacher. My favorite is recess. My favorite thing is reading and just 627 02:52:57.200 --> 02:53:14.240 doing a bunch of fun stuff. We get to do puzzle of the day and it's really fun. We get to watch videos at the end of the day. >> Our doors are always open. We are truly a family here. Our kids are just everything. >> If you've never taught at another school 628 02:53:14.240 --> 02:53:30.560 and you come to Birwood, you honestly never want to leave Birwood. You walk into this building and it's a family. We're all together. We're all happy. We're smiling. Nobody's cranky or miserable. We're here together for each other. Birchwood is very special because it is truly a family atmosphere. 629 02:53:30.560 --> 02:53:46.399 Students come back year after year. There's multi-generations that have attended Birwood. It is truly a loving community. It's such a wonderful place to be. I commute an hour or more every day and I've been given the opportunity to work in another district, but I've 630 02:53:46.399 --> 02:54:01.760 been here 7 years and I will drive that hour because the community, the parents, the teachers, our principal are incredible. We're just so happy to have such a loving, nurturing community that is so vested in our school. We are 631 02:54:01.760 --> 02:54:23.200 family and once a bulldog, always a bulldog. I truly believe in an educator being able to make a difference in the world. It's so important to have a positive environment for a child to come to. And 632 02:54:23.200 --> 02:54:40.479 teaching at Duboire is special because we don't have walls. >> Our mantra we live by is no walls, no limits because being a school with no walls uh provides our students a great sense of community. You just know you're walking into a special place when you 633 02:54:40.479 --> 02:54:56.960 come through our doors. >> I like to tell people that when you're here, it's like learning at home. You're in your kitchen, but you still know what's going on in the family room. It builds like this, you know, camaraderie amongst not only the students but also the faculty that work here. We call 634 02:54:56.960 --> 02:55:11.680 ourselves a Dwire family. Mr. McGovern, he seldom calls us a school and we really all live by that. We treat each other like family and we emulate that for the kids. >> I think the wire school is awesome because you can make a lot of friends 635 02:55:11.680 --> 02:55:27.680 here and there's good teachers. Math is my favorite because like you can learn different things like times, plus minus. No matter where you come from or no matter what you like look like, people will be friends with you and welcome you 636 02:55:27.680 --> 02:55:44.560 into the school. One word to describe this school is probably heart, honesty, empathy, acceptance, and respect, and trust. I have been teaching art here in Rockaway Township for 16 years. I think 637 02:55:44.560 --> 02:56:00.000 social and emotional learning is very important. It gives us a chance to discuss our emotions and give kids a chance to practice that emotional dialogue and that helps the whole child. I get the privilege of going into every 638 02:56:00.000 --> 02:56:15.520 single class once a month where I do a guidance lesson. The best part of my job is when one of them is having a tough day and then they feel better and it's because of me. >> The people I work with makes me come back every single day. I hire a very unique and special educator and that 639 02:56:15.520 --> 02:56:38.560 permeates throughout the building. I have the easiest job in the world because I have the hardest working teachers in the world. Every student who goes through Rockaway Township School District will graduate from Copeland before they go on to high school. And we have an opportunity to instill core values into our students, 640 02:56:38.560 --> 02:56:54.800 helping students develop into future leaders into being positive role models and citizens in our community. >> I am the steam teacher at Copeland Middle School. I really love to see the growth and the change through the students. And what I really focus on is teamwork. So the kids are always in 641 02:56:54.800 --> 02:57:10.800 teams. We want to make sure everybody's feeling comfortable communicating their ideas. >> I want kids to come to school and feel like this is their second home. I want them to come into my classroom and feel comfortable, feel like they can be themselves. They may not come here and love math, but I want them to at least 642 02:57:10.800 --> 02:57:26.960 enjoy coming to math class. >> When I came into sixth grade in Copeland, where everything was new and different for me, Mrs. Heath, she was especially really kind to me. She still talks to me even though we don't really see each other that much and she gives me so much good luck for all the things 643 02:57:26.960 --> 02:57:42.720 that I do. One teacher that made me feel special and cared for was my seventh grade LA teacher. I used to dislike like reading and writing and she really helped me understand and make that subject more fun. Years ago, I had a 644 02:57:42.720 --> 02:57:58.160 sixth grade student who was absolutely petrified of mathematics. And I worked so carefully with her. I gave her extra help just to have her overcome this fear and it was fabulous to see that aha moment when she finally got it and that 645 02:57:58.160 --> 02:58:15.040 is why I do what I do every day. >> We are making sure kids are prepared for the future and that means making sure that they have access to technology. Every single classroom has interactive boards. Kids get a Chromebook in the 646 02:58:15.040 --> 02:58:29.840 fifth grade. >> They work as a team towards a common goal. They overcome challenges. We connect with the community through our concerts which are very well attended. Vanta Copeland is truly an all-inclusive experience for all of the students here. >> I try to get everybody involved so that 647 02:58:29.840 --> 02:58:45.040 they can make a positive impact in the future. I teach US history and I come to work every day excited. I get the opportunity to mold the next generation. >> The thing that makes Scopland Middle School so great is truly the people. 648 02:58:45.040 --> 02:59:05.439 It's the students. It's the staff. It's the community members. It's the parent involvement. It's the investment in making it a better place. Our core values are the same as Rockaway Township. Heart, honesty, empathy, acceptance, respect, and trust. So we 649 02:59:05.439 --> 02:59:21.279 can focus on particularly on being kind >> by being kind to a friend, helping them out, helping teachers, be nice to them, be respectful and don't interrupt the teachers. >> And everything we do, we try and relate back to our core values. One of the 650 02:59:21.279 --> 02:59:37.760 things we are working on right now is positive behavior system. I don't like to address anything negative in my office because I want kids to be able to trust me and to be able to come down as a leader of the building. So, we're really working on being kind. And yes, academics are important, but one of the main things for us is that we raise good 651 02:59:37.760 --> 02:59:53.120 kids. The main message is to be kind because above all else, we want our kids just to be kind. >> My name is Carly and I am in fifth grade and I go to DVO. >> Yeah. My name is Rehea. I'm in first grade. >> Being at DVO is awesome because all the 652 02:59:53.120 --> 03:00:09.520 teachers here are so great and so nice. >> I like the teachers here. They make it awesome here. She teaches well and then she teaches us stuff which we have never learned. >> My favorite subject is probably math 653 03:00:09.520 --> 03:00:25.040 because I like all the challenges. >> My favorite special is art class with Miss Takis because drawing is my favorite thing. >> What makes DBL unique is that everyone is so kind to each other and everyone cares about each other. 654 03:00:25.040 --> 03:00:41.760 If I had to describe our building in one word, I would say we're a little unconventional. We're always trying to have our teachers and our students look at other ways to achieve success. And for every student, that's different. There are other ways that we can really show student growth, student success. 655 03:00:41.760 --> 03:00:56.960 >> I'm not trying to be cheesy or anything. It's it really the staff here um we have built a family. And I think that says something about the building and the and and the community that we foster here at ZBO. And I'm really grateful to be part of that. >> Being outside in the morning at bus duty 656 03:00:56.960 --> 03:01:12.720 and having kids coming up and just happy to see me. Teachers who I now share personal connections with because I've been here for 11 years as the principal. >> After teaching for 25 years, I can't pinpoint one moment of time that is a story of why I come back every day. Any 657 03:01:12.720 --> 03:01:28.800 good lesson makes me feel alive. Going to the soccer games, the football games, seeing my students outside the classroom. I want the kids to feel at home and I feel the more comfortable that they are, the relationship that we build together, the better they're going to do in class, not not only enjoy their 658 03:01:28.800 --> 03:01:50.080 time in class, but also take risks. >> So, yeah, I I think for me it's just being a part of something, being a part of the team. Uh we're all very different, but um but we we get along and you know, we support each other. What really resonates with me about the 659 03:01:50.080 --> 03:02:06.960 school is that we put more value in developing personal growth versus comparison to others. Whether it be a difficult learning task or a challenging learning experience, they learn to persevere and we can bring out something in themselves that they might not have seen before. 660 03:02:06.960 --> 03:02:22.800 >> It's a really great environment here at KDM. My co-workers are great. The students every day, they make me laugh. One thing that I really work on in my classroom is growth mindset. I did have a student that came in and really didn't like math. They were really negative selft talking saying that they can't do 661 03:02:22.800 --> 03:02:38.800 this. And so basically throughout the whole year we worked on just changing that mindset. Just because we can't do something right now doesn't mean that we're never going to be able to do it. And that's what I teach all of my students. >> My favorite teachers are probably all of 662 03:02:38.800 --> 03:02:56.240 my teachers cuz I got really good teachers. They have fun activities to do and their stories. My first grade teacher got me into reading and she got me into chapter books in Juni B. Jones. >> My favorite subject is science. In science, you do lots of experiments and 663 03:02:56.240 --> 03:03:11.520 I think experiments are very fun. Every day I'm like happy at school. >> We identify the interests of students. You know what motivates them so students feel more comfortable and confident in their learning environment moving them forward from one learning experience to 664 03:03:11.520 --> 03:03:29.359 another. Every morning I'm inspired by these children. Their energy, their willingness to support and grow with one another is contagious. >> One of the things that I'm really hoping to teach them more than anything else is about kindness and you know being good 665 03:03:29.359 --> 03:03:44.080 friends to each other. One of my most favorite success stories is a particular student when you know he would come into the classroom even right first thing in the morning his head would be down on that desk. I trying to instill intrinsic love for school, intrinsic love for 666 03:03:44.080 --> 03:04:06.560 education. And over time, I've seen him pick that head up. And that's why I do what I do. To have a kid come in and their school's a happy place for them and they want to come. Stony Brook is an amazing place. It really is. And I think anybody who joins 667 03:04:06.560 --> 03:04:22.560 us, whether it's full-time or visitors in the building just for a day, uh, you know, I think echo that sentiment. Our staff is second to none. They really put the kids first all the time. And our students are exceptional as well. It's a wonderful school community. Our PTA is incredibly involved. Everything we do is 668 03:04:22.560 --> 03:04:37.760 well attended. Back to school nights, our events, and we have a very involved school community, both academically working handin-hand with our teachers, but also I think for extracurricular as well. Inside school, I really try to be involved in as many things as I can. My children also go to school in this 669 03:04:37.760 --> 03:04:54.240 district at one of the other schools and I'm really proud of what we put forth for our children. Anytime we can bring togetherness and have us all work together, both in our community and out, it's really going to help everyone raise their own level of abilities to really increase the success of our community. So, we used to always start off with a 670 03:04:54.240 --> 03:05:10.000 growth mindset and we do a lot of lessons about how we are able to do things that might seem hard like a harder task. And I think that if we really teach our kids to be resilient and show grit in the face of a harder task, then all the other academic 671 03:05:10.000 --> 03:05:26.479 challenges that they're faced with come a little bit easier. Having students in a classroom that's smaller where you get to meet their needs specifically rather than at a bigger classroom, you can build more of a rapport and relationships with them. I like them to become successful not just academically but also social emotionally. 672 03:05:26.479 --> 03:05:42.800 >> My name is Queen. I'm in the fifth grade. >> Hi, my name's Arya. I am in second grade. >> What makes our school awesome is all the teachers we have here. They help us every day. All the janitors keep our school nice and clean. All my friends that helped me since kindergarten and 673 03:05:42.800 --> 03:05:59.279 everybody just helps us here cuz we are a really good community. >> Because of my friends, the teachers and the principal. like we read a book and then we do a project based on what happened in that story. >> Math is my favorite subject because the teachers always help us and it's fun but 674 03:05:59.279 --> 03:06:14.479 it can be complicated but it's still really fun. >> I've always wanted to be a teacher. I think the reason why I wanted to be a teacher is because I think I had really good elementary school teachers. Rockway I thought was really interesting because I feel like it is a small close-knit 675 03:06:14.479 --> 03:06:30.720 community, but I also felt like there's a lot of different opportunities in Rockway. I like how there was five different elementary schools, but I also like how I felt like that I fit in with the Stony Brook mentality. The Stony Brook mentality is something where we all feel and have the same idea of 676 03:06:30.720 --> 03:06:47.520 supporting students. the kids understand that everyone makes a mistake, everyone has a bad day, and I think that it gives the opportunity for kids to grow and not feel like penalized. I love that we have a great principal. I love the teachers and the morale. As soon as I started coming up here, since I am from South Jersey, I felt welcomed and included 677 03:06:47.520 --> 03:07:05.600 right away. >> My name is Dr. Richard Corbett and I am the proud superintendent of Rockaway Township Public Schools. I was just waving to some of our wonderful students as they were walking by and I'm so happy and pleased to say that when I walk through these halls and 678 03:07:05.600 --> 03:07:21.920 talk to these students in these six different schools, I see students that are learning and having fun and to me those are two very important qualities of a very very effective education. >> Birchwood is very special because it is truly a family atmosphere. Students come 679 03:07:21.920 --> 03:07:37.040 back year after year. There's multi-generations that have attended Birwood. It is truly a loving community. It's such a wonderful place to be. >> Our core values are the same as Rockaway Township. Heart, honesty, empathy, acceptance, respect, and trust. So, we 680 03:07:37.040 --> 03:07:52.560 can focus on particularly on being kind. What >> really resonates with me about this school is that we put more value in developing personal growth versus comparison to others. Whether it be a difficult learning task or a challenging learning experience, they learn to 681 03:07:52.560 --> 03:08:08.960 persevere. and we can bring out something in themselves that they might not have seen before. >> Stony Brook is an amazing place. It really is. And I think anybody who joins us, whether it's full-time or visitors in the building just for a day, uh, you know, I think echo that sentiment. Our staff is second to none. They really put 682 03:08:08.960 --> 03:08:25.040 the kids first all the time. And our students are exceptional as well. It's a wonderful school community. Our PTA is incredibly involved. Everything we do is well attended. back to school nights, our events, and we have a very involved school community, both academically working handin-hand with our teachers, 683 03:08:25.040 --> 03:08:41.040 but also I think for extracurricular as well. >> Every student who goes through Rockaway Township School District will graduate from Copeland before they go on to high school. And we have an opportunity to instill core values into our students, helping students develop into future 684 03:08:41.040 --> 03:08:57.120 leaders, into being positive role models and citizens in our community. Our mantra we live by is no walls, no limits because being a school with no walls uh provides our students a great sense of community. You just know you're walking into a special place when you come through our doors. 685 03:08:57.120 --> 03:09:13.680 >> What keeps me coming back here every morning? Hugs from kids. You know, I love being outside in the morning at bus duty and having kids coming up and just happy to see me. Teachers who I now share personal connections with because I've been here for 11 years as the principal. So yeah, I I think for me 686 03:09:13.680 --> 03:09:29.439 it's just being a part of something, being a part of the team. Uh we're all very different, but um but we we get along and you know, we support each other. >> Every morning I'm inspired by these children, their energy, their willingness to support and grow with one 687 03:09:29.439 --> 03:09:46.319 another is contagious. >> The people I work with makes me come back every single day. I hire a very unique and special educator and that permeates throughout the building. I have the easiest job in the world because I have the hardest working teachers in the world. >> The thing that makes Scopland Middle School so great is truly the people. 688 03:09:46.319 --> 03:10:03.680 It's the students. It's the staff. It's the community members. It's the parent involvement. It's the investment in making it a better place. >> I come here for the students. I love the kids here. They are amazing. They're the best part of my day. They're the best part of my week. That's why I do what I 689 03:10:03.680 --> 03:10:21.920 do. I'm proud to be the superintendent of Rockway Township Schools and we are thankful for all the support we have from our community. >> I truly believe in an educator being able to make a difference in the world. It's >> Can I please get a motion to bring the 690 03:10:21.920 --> 03:10:39.920 meeting back to public session? >> So moved. >> Second. >> We are coming back into public session at 7:42 p.m. >> Show of hands, please. >> Show of hands. >> Please stand for the pledge. I pledge algiance to the flag of the 691 03:10:39.920 --> 03:11:04.479 United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Dr. Corbett, I think we're starting off with Dwer. Is that correct? >> Yes, we are. Okay. 692 03:11:04.479 --> 03:11:26.240 We're so happy to have uh Mr. McGovern here tonight with some of his faculty and we are going to turn the mic over to Mr. McGovern who is here to recognize some very very special students from Dwire Elementary School. Sorry folks, I didn't want to have my 693 03:11:26.240 --> 03:11:43.359 back to you. I want to uh first congratulate the Dwire people for getting here. We had our spring concert tonight between 6:00 and 7:00. So once we were finished, we jumped in cars, we raced here, we all got here. So great job, guys. Tonight, I'd like to bring up two people 694 03:11:43.359 --> 03:12:12.160 who run our trips program, and I'll speak a little bit about that in a minute, but I'd like to bring them up first. Miss Meyers and Miss Farrell. I'd like to speak to the program a little bit. So, if you don't know what Treps is, we're proud to recognize and honor our TRE students and their two 695 03:12:12.160 --> 03:12:28.240 mentors, Mrs. Meyers and Mrs. Farrell, for their outstanding work and entrepreur entrepreneurial spirit at this evening's board of education meeting. Through their participation in the Treps program, these students demonstrated creativity, responsibility, 696 03:12:28.240 --> 03:12:45.040 perseverance, and problem solving as they developed, produced, and mark marketed and sold their own products. From the initial brainstorming stages to the final sales event, they embraced every challenge with enthusiasm and 697 03:12:45.040 --> 03:13:02.800 determination. The Treps experience provides students with far more than an opportunity to create and sell a product. It teaches valuable life skills, including leadership, financial literacy, communication, collaboration, 698 03:13:02.800 --> 03:13:20.000 and resilience. Skills that will serve them well through their academic journey and beyond. We are incredibly proud of the dedication and efforts these students displayed throughout the process. Their successes at Trepite was a reflection of their hard work, 699 03:13:20.000 --> 03:13:45.359 innovative thinking, and commitment to excellence. Congratulations to our strep Trep students on this well-deserved recognition, and thank you for representing our school community with such pride and professionalism. When I call your name, please come up, 700 03:13:45.359 --> 03:14:27.160 accept your certificate, and make sure you shake everyone's hands up here. I know it's a long line. >> Mila Affinova, >> Mia Brienza, Hannah Car Caravaglia, >> Jonathan Corsini, Finley Kulkin, 701 03:14:28.560 --> 03:15:13.479 Georgia Cummings, Cameron Delsto, McKenzie Doyle, >> Noel Gonzalez, Aliana Khalo, >> Liam Konikowski, Emily Lloyd, straight across. Rosa Lozano, 702 03:15:15.279 --> 03:16:02.600 >> Chase Leisac, >> Paige Marowitz, >> Fick Nunees, Asher Owen, Bryant Paige, Leonardo Parah, Penelopey Perez, Addison Plum, Zade Rami, 703 03:16:03.840 --> 03:16:41.560 Ethan Rivera, Colton Rogers, Robert Romano, Vince Romeo, Charlotte Spain, popular guy, let me tell you. Julian Torres, Rebecca Vasquez, 704 03:16:42.960 --> 03:18:04.200 >> and Isabella Zadrushka. >> Sorry, that was half the school, but that program was only with the fourth and fifth grade folks. That's a lot. I think I need one more row of students in the front. I'll be out of your way. 705 03:18:30.720 --> 03:18:48.000 My name is Dr. Richard Corbett and I am the proud superintendent of Rockaway Township Public Schools. I was just waving to some of our wonderful students as they were walking by and I'm so happy and pleased to say that when I walked through these halls and talked to 706 03:18:48.000 --> 03:19:05.120 uh we we are so proud of all these Dwire students who work so hard. And by the way, a round of applause for the faculty and staff at Dwire, Mr. McGovern, please. And also I want to acknowledge the parents and 707 03:19:05.120 --> 03:19:20.800 thank you for your partnership in educating these children. Thank you very much parents. And the good news is the good news is the board president has provided us with a bunch of cookies over there and 10 minutes to eat as many cookies as possible. So go for it. 10-minute break 708 03:19:20.800 --> 03:19:37.040 cookies. Yeah, they're right there. You got them. >> Thank you. Jamie. >> Oh, >> Jamie, do you want hand sanitizer? >> A Jamie's taking a toggle. She's in you. >> My name is Dr. Richard Corbett and I am 709 03:19:37.040 --> 03:19:52.160 the proud superintendent of Rockaway Township Public Schools. I was just waving to some of our wonderful students as they were walking by. And I'm so happy and pleased to say that when I walk through these halls and talk to these students in these six different schools, I see students that 710 03:19:52.160 --> 03:20:09.120 are learning and having fun. And to me, those are two very important qualities of a very, very effective education. >> Birchwood is very special because it is truly a family atmosphere. Students come back year after year. There's multi-generations that have attended 711 03:20:09.120 --> 03:20:24.800 Birwood. It is truly a loving community. It's such a wonderful place to be. >> Our core values are the same as Rockaway Township. Heart, honesty, empathy, acceptance, respect, and trust. So, we can focus on particularly on being kind. What really resonates with me about this 712 03:20:24.800 --> 03:20:40.800 school is that we put more value in developing personal growth versus comparison to others. Whether it be a difficult learning task or a challenging learning experience, they learn to persevere. And we can bring out something in themselves that they might not have seen before. 713 03:20:40.800 --> 03:20:56.560 >> Stony Brook is an amazing place. It really is. And I think anybody who joins us, whether it's full-time or visitors in the building just for a day, uh, you know, I think echo that sentiment. Our staff is second to none. They really put the kids first all the time and our students are exceptional as well. It's a 714 03:20:56.560 --> 03:21:12.640 wonderful school community. Our PTA is incredibly involved. Everything we do is well attended. Back to school nights, our events and we have a very involved school community both academically working handin-hand with our teachers but also I think for extracurricular as well. 715 03:21:12.640 --> 03:21:28.160 >> Every student who goes through Rockaway Township School District will graduate from Copeland before they go on to high school. and we have an opportunity to instill core values into our students, helping students develop into future leaders into being positive role models and citizens in our community. 716 03:21:28.160 --> 03:21:44.160 >> Our mantra we live by is no walls, no limits because being a school with no walls uh provides our students a great sense of community. You just know you're walking into a special place when you come through our doors. >> What keeps me coming back here every morning? Hugs from kids. You know, I 717 03:21:44.160 --> 03:22:00.800 love being outside in the morning at bus duty and having kids coming up and just happy to see me. Teachers who I now share personal connections with because I've been here for 11 years as the principal. So, yeah, I I think for me it's just being a part of something, being a part of the team. Uh we're all 718 03:22:00.800 --> 03:22:16.160 very different, but um but we we get along and you know, we support each other. >> Every morning I'm inspired by these children. Their energy, their willingness to support and grow with one another is contagious. >> The people I work with makes me come 719 03:22:16.160 --> 03:22:33.120 back every single day. I hire a very unique and special educator and that permeates throughout the building. I have the easiest job in the world because I have the hardest working teachers in the world. >> The thing that makes Scopland Middle School so great is truly the people. It's the students, it's the staff, it's the community members, it's the parent 720 03:22:33.120 --> 03:22:48.720 involvement, it's the investment in making it a better place. I come here for the students. I love the kids here. They are amazing. They're the best part of my day. They're the best part of my week. That's why I do what I do. >> I'm proud to be the superintendent of 721 03:22:48.720 --> 03:23:07.279 Rockway Township Schools and we are thankful for all the support we have from our community. >> I truly believe in an educator being able to make a difference in the world. It's so important to have a positive 722 03:23:07.279 --> 03:23:23.120 environment for a child to come to and teaching at Dubire is special because we don't have walls. I think social emotional learning is very important. It gives us a chance to discuss our emotions and give kids a chance to 723 03:23:23.120 --> 03:23:38.960 practice that emotional dialogue and that helps the whole child. If you've never taught at another school and you come to Birchwood, you honestly never want to leave Birchwood. You walk into this building and it's a family. We're all together. We're all happy. 724 03:23:38.960 --> 03:23:55.120 We're smiling. Nobody's cranky or miserable. We're here together for each other. >> One of the things that I love the most about this position and this job is that I get to work with students of all ages. Now that we house preschool students here, I see every single student in the building from preschool all the way 725 03:23:55.120 --> 03:24:11.520 through fifth grade. And I get to work with them on a deeper level, on a way that inspires them not just to be confident in themselves, but in what they love. After teaching for 25 years, I can't 726 03:24:11.520 --> 03:24:27.439 pinpoint one moment of time that is a story of why I come back every day. Any good lesson makes me feel alive. Going to the soccer games, the football games, seeing my students outside the classroom. I want the kids to feel at home and I feel the more comfortable 727 03:24:27.439 --> 03:24:43.920 that they are, the relationship that we build together, the better they're going to do in class, not not only enjoy their time in class, but also take risks. It's a really great environment here at KDM. My co-workers are great. The students every day, they make me laugh. 728 03:24:43.920 --> 03:24:59.760 One thing that I really work on in my classroom is growth mindset. I did have a student that came in and really didn't like math. they were really negative selft talking saying that they can't do this. And so basically throughout the whole year we worked on just changing that mindset. One of the things that I'm 729 03:24:59.760 --> 03:25:15.439 really hoping to teach them more than anything else is about kindness and you know being good friends to each other. One of my most favorite success stories is a particular student when you know he would come into the classroom even right first thing in the morning his head would be down on that desk. I've tried 730 03:25:15.439 --> 03:25:33.000 to instill intrinsic love for school, intrinsic love for education. And over time, I've seen him pick that head up, and that's why I do what I do to have a kid come in and their school's a happy place for them, and they want to come. 731 03:25:33.439 --> 03:25:50.880 So, we always start off with a girl. During the course of the board meeting, the Rockaway Township Board of Education offers members of the public an opportunity to address issues regarding the operations of the Rockaway Township Public Schools. The board reminds those individuals who take this opportunity to 732 03:25:50.880 --> 03:26:07.520 identify themselves by name and address and to limit their comments to items listed on the agenda and or items directly related to the operations of the school district. Issues raised by members of the public may or may not be responded to by the board. All comments will be considered and a response will 733 03:26:07.520 --> 03:26:22.880 be forthcoming if and when appropriate. The board asks that members of the public be courteous and mindful of the rights of other individuals when speaking. Specifically, comments regarding students and employees of the board are discouraged and will not be responded to by the board. Students and 734 03:26:22.880 --> 03:26:38.160 employees have specific rights afforded by the laws of New Jersey. The board bears no responsibility, nor will it be liable for any comments made by the members of the public. Members of the public should consider their comments in light of the legal rights of those affected or identified in the comments 735 03:26:38.160 --> 03:26:53.680 and be aware that they are legally responsible and liable for their comments. In accordance with board policy 0167, public discussion is limited to 15 minutes with a threeinut limit per member of the public. The board resident shall have the right to 736 03:26:53.680 --> 03:27:09.920 modify the length of public discussion as she deems appropriate. The board welcomes all public comment this evening, but will be ensuring the enforcement of board policy 0167. This may include, but is not limited to enforcing reasonable decorum, calling for recess, conclusion of public 737 03:27:09.920 --> 03:27:26.160 comment, etc. if necessary. The board reminds the public of these requirements. Thank you. >> Can I please have a motion to open public comment? So moved. >> Second. >> Show of hands. >> I would invite anyone who has comments. Thank you. Thank you, Anita. 738 03:27:26.160 --> 03:27:45.680 >> Jamie Ripkkey. >> Good evening. Thank you all for being here. I know you are all volunteers and I appreciate it. Many members of the community have the following questions and we would appreciate the respect of a response. Dr. Corbett, why have you not 739 03:27:45.680 --> 03:28:03.279 yet sent Mr. Bayer the reasons for his non-renewal which he requested from you 21 days ago? Why did you decide to change Mr. Young's contract without board approval? Why did you not show up to the principal's list breakfast last Friday 740 03:28:03.279 --> 03:28:20.160 when you have shown up to the last five? Is it true that central office personnel have suddenly taken over all of the building based observations and teacher placements at Copeland? who directed central office staff to enter Copeland Middle School unannounced to tear down student posters in support 741 03:28:20.160 --> 03:28:34.560 of their administrators and yell with an earshot of students. Why are you dismantling the entire Copeland Middle School administrative team that completely changed the climate and culture of Copeland in such a positive way? Didn't this support and 742 03:28:34.560 --> 03:28:50.399 achieve the board's goal and directives? Why would you put our board of education in the position to vote on removing an administrator and dean of students position after they restored a positive climate and culture among staff and students? To the board, what have you done since 743 03:28:50.399 --> 03:29:06.000 the last board meeting to respond, especially after you were told there is fear in the teachers? Morale is low. Teachers feel scared and intimidated. They are losing sleep. How many anonymous letters do you need to receive? What is it going to take for you to do your due diligence? We have 744 03:29:06.000 --> 03:29:21.279 960 signatures on the parent petition and over 300 student signatures. You are now ethically bound to respond and I'd like to state here and now we want a full-blown done investigation done by you. Now, this is just for me. The Rucker program is being removed. It 745 03:29:21.279 --> 03:29:36.800 services close to 60 students in the district. For some students, this program is a safety net to receive quality services during the school day. The programs that Rockaway is bringing in are referral services, which would temporarily bring in care for a period of weeks or provide virtual services. 746 03:29:36.800 --> 03:29:52.319 Let's be real, trust and rapport are not built that way. It's no comparison to the level of care the Rucker clinicians have been capable of providing by helping a child in a real time of crisis. The clinicians have the benefit of working as a true team to gather all the necessary information through 747 03:29:52.319 --> 03:30:08.880 administration and teachers rather than solely relying on the student. Outside care means crisis situations will have to wait and the level of student services will never be comparable. For a district that has been directly impacted, why are we removing a service that is so crucial to the mental health 748 03:30:08.880 --> 03:30:24.800 of our students? Crises will have to wait until the next outpatient appointment or to be referred out. If you continue to make decisions that affect the mental health of our students, you need to hold yourselves accountable for every mental health crisis that the school will no longer be 749 03:30:24.800 --> 03:30:39.760 able to handle the way it did with the Ruckers clinicians. Find another place to cut funds. How about starting with the $33,000 the district is currently paying to coach the administrator at Birwood or the $44,000 raise Dr. Corbett just received? 750 03:30:39.760 --> 03:31:18.239 Thank you. Jackie Bader. >> Hold on. Don't start the time yet. >> Jackie Bader, 129 Richard Mine Road. I am the Copeland PTA corresponding secretary. Currently, Rockway Township joint insurance fund GIF liability rating is AAA. My understanding is that 751 03:31:18.239 --> 03:31:35.200 the school district uses similar insurance structure through the school alliance insurance fund which also uses comparable rating scales. What is our district's current liability insurance rating? What is the financial impact that the district is having after the Rucker removal program? The program 752 03:31:35.200 --> 03:31:50.640 removal specifically, how much did the district save or spend previously under Ruckers? What is the projected increase of insurance now that we are going to be removing co Ruckers? How will increased liability exposure affects us taxpayers? 753 03:31:50.640 --> 03:32:06.960 Many residents are concerned that without the Ruckers program, the district's overall risk exposure is now significantly higher, which could result in higher costs related to lawsuits and insurance claims. I also want to address transparency. Why is it that the public is not able to 754 03:32:06.960 --> 03:32:23.120 view a more detailed view line by line district budget similar to what the township has to provide at the township council meetings? This is a taxpayer money and residents deserve a clear understanding of how funds are allocated. I also have many concerns regarding the frequency of closed 755 03:32:23.120 --> 03:32:39.439 sessions held before meetings for the public's perspect. From the public's perspective, it appears discussions may be occurring regarding agenda matters and potentially staff related issues. My understanding is that employees discussed in close session are entitled to Rice notices. Are all of these being 756 03:32:39.439 --> 03:32:56.479 um sent out properly? I would encourage each board's member to independently ask questions directly to teachers and staff. A full review of information being presented to you by make to make your decisions. You are elected by the residents of Rockway Township to provide 757 03:32:56.479 --> 03:33:11.840 oversight and ask difficult questions when necessary. The information presented to you is one-sided, not the whole story. Get all of your facts. Finally, we are previously told that emails sent to board mail at rockwip.net were distributed to the full board. We 758 03:33:11.840 --> 03:33:28.479 have now since learned that these emails are routed through the president and then forwarded. If this is the case, why is it not automatically distributed through a rule through the IT department, so everyone simultaneously receives a communication? I have personally sent multiple emails and never received responses. We know that 759 03:33:28.479 --> 03:33:44.920 there has been discussion about wanting a greater community involvement in the audience here at board meetings. However, if that is truly your goal, this is not the way to accomplishment. Increasing public precipitate uh precipit precipit 760 03:33:45.040 --> 03:34:01.920 should come from transparency, trust, and open communication, not from growing frustration and concern within the community. At the end of the day, the parents and taxpayers simply want the best for our students, staff, and community. We want transparency, accountability, and thoughtful decision-making from the individuals we 761 03:34:01.920 --> 03:34:30.800 elected to be in these positions. You need to do your job and ask those hard questions. That's what we're asking for our children. Jennifer Skolski, Jennifer Skolski, 164 Valley View Drive. >> I am in the microphone. Okay. Can I get 762 03:34:30.800 --> 03:34:47.840 any closer? Okay. Before I get into specifics, I want to make sure we're all working from the same understanding of how this is supposed to work. The board holds governing authority over the district. You hire a superintendent to 763 03:34:47.840 --> 03:35:04.000 serve as your chief executive to use his expertise to make recommendations, implement your decisions, and run day-to-day operations within the boundaries you set. He advises, you decide. That's the structure, Dr. 764 03:35:04.000 --> 03:35:20.399 Corbett. Somewhere along the way, you reversed that. You've been making significant moves, moves with real consequences for real people before receiving board approval. That's not advising. That's not executing board 765 03:35:20.399 --> 03:35:36.479 decisions. That's governing without authority. I've only got three minutes, so I can't touch on it all, but here's a small example of that. On May 6th, this board approved the renewal of Mr. Young's contract, including a stipen for his position as dean of students. That 766 03:35:36.479 --> 03:35:53.680 contract was executed. An executed contract is legally binding. Let me remind everyone that Mr. Young publicly stood up to Dr. Corbett on that May 6th meeting. Then on May 15th, Mr. Young was called into your office and told that 767 03:35:53.680 --> 03:36:11.520 his position was being eliminated. That is called preemptive implementation. You effectively executed a de facto contract modification after the board had already approved Mr. Young's contract. That's ultravir acting beyond the scope of your 768 03:36:11.520 --> 03:36:29.520 authority. This new recommendation by doc Dr. Corbett can be found on today's agenda. The reassignment of Mr. Young back to math teacher is in the personnel section under section 7. The board will vote on that tonight. And I would like to remind them that any one of them can 769 03:36:29.520 --> 03:36:46.080 ask to pull Mr. Young from the personnel list for a separate vote. Let's move on to the situation with Mr. Bayer. You have to provide him with a letter of reasons for his non-renewal. Mr. Bayer requested that letter weeks ago. You have a 30-day timeline and you've used 770 03:36:46.080 --> 03:37:02.880 that time to make it nearly impossible for the door board to do their job. You have told some staff members about new positions that they will be given, creating a web of obligations the board never agreed to. The board would have to disappoint multiple people in order to disagree with your decisions. That 771 03:37:02.880 --> 03:37:20.640 creates fate to comply, which means you're engineering a situation where reversing course feels so disruptive that the board feels obligated to agree with you. So now, Dr. Corbett, do you see the position that you've put your employers in? You've shown the entire 772 03:37:20.640 --> 03:37:47.279 town that you believe you are running the show. So, I turn to the board to remind you that you are not responsible for cleaning up his mess, but his actions do reflect on you. Christine Grao. Okay. 773 03:37:47.279 --> 03:38:04.000 Hi, Christine Graasso, 65 Omaha Avenue, Copeland PTA vice president. Today, my seventh grader chocked outside the school. Welcome to a place where heart shines the brightest. I fear our light is a little dimmer given what's 774 03:38:04.000 --> 03:38:20.720 been going on. Um, I feel it's important to speak on behalf of many who feel they cannot. A staff member at the school shared the following for um me to share. I am not employed, so I do not have the fear to share this with you that others 775 03:38:20.720 --> 03:38:36.720 feel. The decision not to renew Mr. Bayer's contract came as a shock to staff, parents, and students alike. Over the past three years, we have watched Mr. Bayer help rebuild morale, strengthen relationships within the school's community, and create an 776 03:38:36.720 --> 03:38:52.720 environment where students and staff felt supported and valued. Many of us remember what the climate of the school felt like before and the difference has been undeniable. What has been most difficult to witness these past few weeks is the effect the 777 03:38:52.720 --> 03:39:10.239 situation has had on our students. Children are perceptive. They know when something feels unfair and when adults they trust are hurting, uncertain, and unsupported. Our students are reacting to the instability and tension around 778 03:39:10.239 --> 03:39:27.359 them. Many are acting out because they feel confused, upset, and unheard. When they see chaos among leadership, it affects the emotional climate of the school. One of the most upsetting 779 03:39:27.359 --> 03:39:43.680 moments for many students was seeing the posters they created in support of our principal taken down. These were not inappropriate or disruptive. They were expressions of love, 780 03:39:43.680 --> 03:40:01.359 appreciation, and support from children who wanted their voices heard. For students, creating those signs was their way of processing confusion and disappointment. Removing them sent the message that 781 03:40:01.359 --> 03:40:19.439 their feelings and voices did not matter. Whether intended or not, that action had an emotional impact on our children. We often say we want students to express 782 03:40:19.439 --> 03:40:36.000 express themselves respectfully and take pride in their school's community. That is exactly what they were doing. They were showing support for someone who made them feel safe, valued, and cared for. 783 03:40:36.000 --> 03:40:52.000 What has impressed me most is that despite this disappointment and despite colleagues losing their positions, our principal and staff continue to show up for these children. I ask the board to truly listen not only to parents and staff but to students 784 03:40:52.000 --> 03:41:20.720 whose voices are over overlooked. Thank you for your time. Michelle Castenbound. Michelle Castenbound, 55 Kings Road. At the last board meeting, I stood here and I spoke about fear inside our school community. I spoke about teachers and 785 03:41:20.720 --> 03:41:36.399 staff members who expressed support for Mr. Bayer, but felt uncomfortable speaking publicly as they felt like there would be consequences. But what struck me afterwards was not what was said that night. It was what was not said. There was no statement from the 786 03:41:36.399 --> 03:41:52.960 board addressing that fear or even acknowledging it. Why didn't the board members reach out to teachers or make themselves available or do their due diligence? I understand that there are things that you cannot legally say and discuss and I 787 03:41:52.960 --> 03:42:09.760 do respect that. But I also think that this silence has created confusion and distrust. I'll remind you what I said that night. There is fear of high from the higher administration, fear of retaliation, fear of losing their jobs or being transferred. So when I learned 788 03:42:09.760 --> 03:42:24.640 on May 15th that Mr. Young was told that his bis position was being eliminated though the contract was signed. The first I was beyond upset beyond the first message I received after learning this was see this is why teachers didn't 789 03:42:24.640 --> 03:42:40.479 want to talk. I felt terrible. I told teachers to tell the board how they felt because I believed you were listening and I told them to stand up for what they believed. But what blew my mind was at our PTA meeting three days later on 790 03:42:40.479 --> 03:42:55.520 May 18th, I spoke about what happened with Mr. Young's position being eliminated and watched our board of liaison's face go into shock. She had no idea. A board member had no idea and to my understanding the board of ed has to 791 03:42:55.520 --> 03:43:11.040 approve all positions and eliminations. At the last board meeting, our board president told us that in public that the decision not to renew Mr. Mr. Bayer's contract was not made in a vacuum. It is my understanding that I only heard the superintendent's accounts 792 03:43:11.040 --> 03:43:25.840 of Mr. Bayer's performance. You have never heard the other side. Isn't that definition of a vacuum? Mr. Bayer is still waiting, as we've heard, 21 days without any answers, without any communication. That's what's making this 793 03:43:25.840 --> 03:43:42.319 weird. It is bizarre. What we do know is we have 960 signatures, emails, teachers, staff, students, community, all coming together in support of Mr. Bayer's renewal. And now, Mr. Young, you cannot deny that something seems off here. People, look at all of these 794 03:43:42.319 --> 03:43:58.160 people. Really, I'm asking the board, I am asking you, please conduct your own investigation because something feels bizarre. It feels strange. It feels off. And just so you know, many cases in New Jersey where the board of ed has 795 03:43:58.160 --> 03:44:14.960 overturned a superintendent's recommendation. In fact, one of our current board members has a personal experience because in Carney, when a former high school principal was recommended for tenure, the board overturned that super reendance recommendation twice. Even though the decisions was appealed by commissioner, 796 03:44:14.960 --> 03:44:39.239 the commissioner ruled in favor of the board, affirming that the authority had valid reasons to reject that recommendation. The board of ed has a responsibility. It is represent the community. >> Maya Ripki, 797 03:44:49.040 --> 03:45:09.120 >> me Anita, let them speak together. Just that you got to state their name for the record. >> Oh, wait. >> You signed up twice. I apologize. >> I'm just going to hold it. >> Good evening, Board of Ed. I'm a former Copeland student who is now a freshman in NLES. I was hoping I wouldn't have to 798 03:45:09.120 --> 03:45:25.520 come tonight, but for the sake of current and incoming students, I feel it is important to share our experiences at Copeland. I got to experience the difference between the previous and current administration. For this emotional roller coaster that's been going on for the past few months and the anxiety that comes along with it. This would not need to happen if you did the 799 03:45:25.520 --> 03:45:41.040 right thing. After Mr. Bear took over as principal, I noticed a lot less fighting and we were a better school community. Current and incoming students will have to face someone completely different. And with and with the current students already having formed bonds with the current staff, it makes having someone 800 03:45:41.040 --> 03:46:02.640 new come in very challenging. Thank you. I feel like I feel that this school year has ch this school has changed for the better in so many ways from being more proactive with the students taking care of problems that need to be solved and ultimately making the school year better for the students. When I was a student here, I got to see two different types 801 03:46:02.640 --> 03:46:17.760 of principles. The previous principle that was here was much different than the current and it wasn't good. The current principal has managed to has managed the school, put laws, set boundaries for so many different things. Nonetheless, you're taking away everything that I 802 03:46:17.760 --> 03:46:46.399 needed when I was when I went here, and now you're doing that for everyone else. I'm talking about administrators in the Ruckers program. Thank you, Jack Kenbell. Jack castimon 55 road good evening everyone since the last time I spoke at the board meeting event meeting a lot 803 03:46:46.399 --> 03:47:02.800 has changed throughout the school we have done chants during lunch that were planned by students and we have put up posters for that almost every single student made we have also spoken up to show our support for Mr. Abera as you've seen in the last board of ed meeting and now we also learned that Mr. Young's 804 03:47:02.800 --> 03:47:18.399 position is being taken away. So, we have also gone one step further with different ideas. We've taken meetings and we've also done text to show our support for Mr. Bear and Mr. Young. You want to know someone? When I walk 805 03:47:18.399 --> 03:47:33.920 into school, I don't really want to be there cuz I'm very tired. I just want to sleep. But as the day goes on, I feel more happy. I just feel No, wait. I feel like one of the reasons why it's because I'm a part 806 03:47:33.920 --> 03:47:51.279 of a community. I don't like what's going on right now. I really hate it. But I've gotten to know a lot more kids by this happening because we all want Mr. Bear and Mr. During this day. So I ask you all, please keep Mr. Bear and Mr. Young. 807 03:47:51.279 --> 03:48:25.760 Thank you, >> Heather Battton. Hello, Heather Batton, 9000 Anna Circle. I'm a seventh grade parent and licensed clinical social worker with over 25 years of experience working with traumatized children and families in 808 03:48:25.760 --> 03:48:41.840 clinical sorry in clinical work relationships are the foundation for growth regulation healing and trust when those relationships are abruptly disrupted stability and progress are impacted as 809 03:48:41.840 --> 03:48:59.359 well three years ago Dr. Corbett introduced Mr. bear as having the knowledge and experience to unite the Copeland Middle School community and provide students with an education in a physically and emotionally safe school environment. He called the appointment a 810 03:48:59.359 --> 03:49:15.040 new beginning for Copeland and that is exactly what happened. The overwhelming response of recent board of ed meetings from students, parents, and staff is proof that the Copen leadership team fundamentally shifted the school's culture. That is 811 03:49:15.040 --> 03:49:30.720 why this community is shocked as it witnesses multiple actions that are effectively dismantling much of the on-site leadership connected to student well-being, school culture, and safety. This includes the decision not to remove 812 03:49:30.720 --> 03:49:48.160 not to renew Mr. Bayer's contract and the renewal of and the removal of Mr. Mr. Young's from the dean of students position immediately after he spoke at the last board meeting. These actions have been taken without any clearly communicated plan for 813 03:49:48.160 --> 03:50:04.000 preserving the culture, trust, and stability the students and families have experienced. This district knows the history of this school and the devastating consequences that can occur when students do not feel emotionally safe, supported, and connected. Dismantling the leadership 814 03:50:04.000 --> 03:50:20.880 team that helped create stability without a plan to preserve it undermines the very progress that has been hard. One from a clinical perspective. When relationships are disrupted, trust and emotional se safety are directly impacted. The district asked this 815 03:50:20.880 --> 03:50:36.640 community to trust its committed commitment to rebuilding Copeland's culture. Many of us did and these decisions are now challenging that trust. The district itself identified in goal two the need to maintain a safe and supportive school district culture, 816 03:50:36.640 --> 03:50:53.279 promote mutual respect, and support students social and emotional health. So tonight, I'm asking the board to consider whether the current direction truly aligns with its own stated goal and whether the long-term cost of these decisions is worth the risk to this 817 03:50:53.279 --> 03:51:27.040 community. Thank you. Monica Estrada. Monica Estrada 59 Miami Trail. I emailed all of you and directly requested Dr. Corbett to explain how any decision was made with our children's best interest 818 03:51:27.040 --> 03:51:44.239 in mind. Unfortunately, I have more questions than answers today. Mr. Young was one of the brave staff members that took the podium on behalf of on of Mr. Bayer on May 6, a few days later, as we've heard, his position is being eliminated even though his contract was 819 03:51:44.239 --> 03:52:01.040 renewed. How will uprooting two of the most trusted and loved individuals by students benefit the school culture structure and our children? The seventh graders made beautiful, touching, inspiring posters supporting 820 03:52:01.040 --> 03:52:17.600 Mr. Bayer. Why did you feel it was necessary to rip them off the walls despite the risk of hurting morale, teamwork, and their feelings? And I have yet to hear the reasoning behind Mr. Bayer's contract not being renewed. I do 821 03:52:17.600 --> 03:52:34.080 not accept a prepared holding statement like the one I received. As a public relations expert, I have drafted many of those and I know exactly what they aim to accomplish. What I want to hear is what you are looking to accomplish with 822 03:52:34.080 --> 03:52:49.760 the decisions like the ones I just mentioned. It is disappointed that it seems like the rumors of retaliation and making decisions based on your personal preference is true. You made a good decision three years ago. I ask you that 823 03:52:49.760 --> 03:53:25.279 you keep true to it. I have a few minutes left in my timer, so you are more than welcome to give us an answer to the questions I just posted. Thank you. Riley Batton. >> I am Riley Batten 9,000 and a circle. I 824 03:53:25.279 --> 03:53:40.800 am so confused. It has been apparent that the students of CMS care deeply about this change. Post-it notes and posters flooded the hallways. The support for Mr. Bayer and Mr. Young are is inspiring and I 825 03:53:40.800 --> 03:53:57.040 understand why. When I rejoin public schools, I was shy and emotionally distant. But with the understanding, trust and patience that Mr. Bayer and Mr. Young cultivated, I flourished. Many of my peers share similar stories. Because of that, I hope you will listen to the people it matters most to, the 826 03:53:57.040 --> 03:54:31.120 children. Thank you. Kira Richmond, Kira Richmond, 10 Mount Pleasant. A um as a sixth grader, Mr. Bear has been nothing but a joy to have in Copeland. Personally, I've had many great 827 03:54:31.120 --> 03:54:48.080 experiences. He has helped me through the transition from fifth grade to sixth grade, which was one of the biggest changes. I was so nervous for it, stressing out the whole summer. When I found out Mr. Bayer was the principal, my whole attitude changed 828 03:54:48.080 --> 03:55:05.120 personally. On the first day of school, I had no clue where the band room was at all. Mr. Bayer was standing right by Senor Phillips's room, helping kids get there. I was one of the kids he helped. He helped me learn the school better. He 829 03:55:05.120 --> 03:55:20.000 helped me become the person who I am standing here today. Personally, I want to ask you, the board, Dr. Corbett, why you have chosen not to renew Dr. Corbett's contract. He is an amazing 830 03:55:20.000 --> 03:55:36.080 individual but you I feel just don't tend to see that. And as well as that Mr. Young has been nothing but a joy as well. He has helped every student in different ways. Whether it was helping 831 03:55:36.080 --> 03:55:54.560 them with students they had issues with or anything. He was there there for students who needed support, who needed everything. When you take away Mr. Mr. Young or Mr. Bayer. In fact, you are are not helping. 832 03:55:54.560 --> 03:56:22.239 You are actually punishing the students. Thank you. Mika Bader Mika Bader 129 Richard Mine Road. Mr. I hope that Mr. Bear and Mr. Young should stay in their their same position 833 03:56:22.239 --> 03:56:39.279 and almost all of the school agrees. We have been putting up signs and everything, but we got them took him down. So, we are going to do we were going to do a walk out, but Mr. Bear said no. So, we respected his wishes and 834 03:56:39.279 --> 03:56:54.479 all met up to discuss ways to band together to show our respect for Mr. and Mr. Young. We really want them to stay. Listen to the us kids. We are in the school. Look at these kids. Who 835 03:56:54.479 --> 03:57:33.680 Who's here with me? Monourir Mammoon. I I have never been to one of these meetings. Moner Mammoon at 116 Valley View Drive. I've never been one of these meetings, but I'm seeing here a lack of responsiveness and and just crazy machinations. There's no way that Dr. 836 03:57:33.680 --> 03:57:49.439 Corbett was responsible for making that decision on his own. This must have involved Mrs. and her decision making. It's all a silly plot. It's ridiculous. This is emblematic of a lack of accountability. >> Sir, can you please speak into the 837 03:57:49.439 --> 03:58:04.399 microphone? We are >> I think they can hear me. This is emblematic of this district's lack of accountability. Another another aspect of lack of accountability is this ADL program, the Anti-Defamation League, No Place for Hate. This is an Israel 838 03:58:04.399 --> 03:58:19.600 propaganda program that is designed to shut up people of Arab, Palestinian, Lebanese descent. And it's a racist program. It is a racist program. And I brought you evidence. We spoke today, Dr. Corbett, 839 03:58:19.600 --> 03:58:35.359 evidence that this is a nationalist Zionist Jewish supremacist program. Greenblat, Jonathan Greenblat, the head of this organization, decrying cross religious marriage, anti-misogenation. You ever heard that term from the US civil war? Can't have black people and 840 03:58:35.359 --> 03:58:50.319 white people intermar. >> Thank you very much. We >> are you going to tell me to shut up now? Yes, you are. Okay. That's why I'm protesting no place for hate. Okay, sir. I'm not helping your comments. I'm asking the policies regarding 841 03:58:50.319 --> 03:59:09.520 >> Brad and Larry. Can we please have some help up here? step away from the day. Sir, >> no sir. Sir, >> the Arab is being >> sir, you're excused from the meeting. >> A fivem minute recess. Thank you very much. >> Five minute recess. 842 03:59:09.520 --> 03:59:25.199 >> I'm not a human. That's what the issue is with this. >> My name is Dr. Richard Corbett and I am the proud superintendent of Rockaway Township Public Schools. I was just waving to some of our wonderful students as they were walking by and I'm so happy and pleased to say 843 03:59:25.199 --> 03:59:40.720 that when I walk through these halls and talk to these students in these six different schools, I see students that are learning and having fun and to me those are two very important qualities of a very very effective education. >> Birchwood is very special because it is 844 03:59:40.720 --> 03:59:56.640 truly a family atmosphere. Students come back year after year. There's multi-generations that have attended Birwood. It is truly a loving community. It's such a wonderful place to be. >> Our core values are the same as Rockaway Township. Heart, honesty, empathy, 845 03:59:56.640 --> 04:00:12.319 acceptance, respect, and trust. So, we can focus on particularly on being kind. What >> really resonates with me about the school is that we put more value in developing personal growth versus comparison to others. Whether it be a difficult learning task or a challenging 846 04:00:12.319 --> 04:00:28.399 learning experience, they learn to persevere. and we can bring out something in themselves that they might not have seen before. >> Stony Brook is an amazing place. It really is. And I think anybody who joins us, whether it's full-time or visitors in the building just for a day, uh, you know, I think echo that sentiment. Our 847 04:00:28.399 --> 04:00:45.199 staff is second to none. They really put the kids first all the time. And our students are exceptional as well. It's a wonderful school community. Our PTA is incredibly involved. Everything we do is well attended. back to school nights, our events, and we have a very involved school community, both academically 848 04:00:45.199 --> 04:01:00.880 working handin-hand with our teachers, but also I think for extracurricular as well. >> Every student who goes through Rockaway Township School District will graduate from Copeland before they go on to high school. And we have an opportunity to instill core values into our students, 849 04:01:00.880 --> 04:01:16.080 helping students develop into future leaders, into being positive role models and citizens in our community. Our mantra we live by is no walls, no limits because being a school with no walls uh provides our students a great sense of community. You just know you're walking 850 04:01:16.080 --> 04:01:30.880 into a special place when you come through our doors. >> What keeps me coming back here every morning? Hugs from kids. You know, I love being outside in the morning at bus duty and having kids coming up and just happy to see me. Teachers who I now share personal connections with because 851 04:01:30.880 --> 04:01:46.319 I've been here for 11 years as the principal. So yeah, I I think for me it's just being a part of something, being a part of the team. Uh we're all very different, but um but we we get along and you know, we support each other. >> Every morning I'm inspired by these 852 04:01:46.319 --> 04:02:02.399 children, their energy, their willingness to support and grow with one another is contagious. >> The people I work with makes me come back every single day. I hire a very unique and special educator and that permeates throughout the building. I have the easiest job in the world 853 04:02:02.399 --> 04:02:18.319 because I have the hardest working teachers in the world. >> The thing that makes Scopland Middle School so great is truly the people. It's the students. It's the staff. It's the community members. It's the parent involvement. It's the investment in making it a better place. >> You could call the next individual up to 854 04:02:18.319 --> 04:02:34.160 speak. Thank you very much. >> Oh, where's Dr. Corbett? >> Let's get a second for Dr. Corbett. >> We're going to take a few seconds for Thank you very much. >> All right. >> My name is Dr. Richard Corbett and I am the proud superintendent of Rockaway Township Public Schools. I was just 855 04:02:34.160 --> 04:02:49.199 waving to some of our wonderful students as they were walking by and I'm so happy and pleased to say that when I walk through these halls and talk to these students in these six different schools, I see students that are learning and having fun and to me those are two very 856 04:02:49.199 --> 04:03:05.439 important qualities of a very very effective education. >> Birchwood is very special because it is truly a family atmosphere. Students come back year after year. There's multi-generations that have attended Birwood. It is truly a loving community. 857 04:03:05.439 --> 04:03:20.479 It's such a wonderful place to be. >> Our core values are the same as Rockaway Township: Heart, honesty, empathy, acceptance, respect, and trust. So, we can focus on particularly on being kind. >> What really resonates with me about this school is that we put more value in 858 04:03:20.479 --> 04:03:36.560 developing personal growth versus comparison to others. Whether it be a difficult learning task or a challenging learning experience, they learn to persevere and we can bring out something in themselves that they might not have seen before. Stony Brook is an amazing place. It really is. And I think anybody 859 04:03:36.560 --> 04:03:53.239 who joins us, whether it's full-time or visitors in the building just for a day, uh, you know, I think echo that sentiment. Our staff is second to none. They really put the kids first all the time. And our students >> because she's the minute keeper. >> Guys, you guys are killing me up here. >> I'm sorry. 860 04:04:02.319 --> 04:04:28.399 My name is Dr. Richard Corbett and I am the proud superintendent of Rockoy Town. >> Hi, Lisa Ginder, 136 Birch Street. Um, mine's going to be a little bit different, although that was quite the tough act to follow. Um, I'm going to go 861 04:04:28.399 --> 04:04:46.319 a little bit on a different topic, but um, not that off topic. So, um, my biggest concern was looking at the minutes and seeing some of the consolidations that are taking place. As somebody who has worked in public education for my entire career and who 862 04:04:46.319 --> 04:05:01.439 has been intimately involved in hiring practices, in performance improvement review, and in letting people go, um, and in having to monitor budgets and managing finances, hundreds of millions 863 04:05:01.439 --> 04:05:17.199 of dollars over the course of my career, I can say that these are not sustainable measures. The sustainable measure at this point is to go after health care. Health care costs are one of the largest expenditures that we have that 864 04:05:17.199 --> 04:05:34.479 contribute to the fringe. The fringe costs that lead to things like my poor kids in their school having programs in art and music cut. Art and music are what make our students compassionate individuals. It makes them well-rounded. It brings you the the kids who came up 865 04:05:34.479 --> 04:05:50.080 to you today who could be well spoken and articulate because they're getting a well-rounded education. Making these types of cuts will not last you till next year when you have to make the same decision. You are our elected officials. 866 04:05:50.080 --> 04:06:07.120 We are relying on you to be our voice. do what you need to do to band together with other boards of education to work with our public legislative bodies to push back against health care costs because it's a huge problem and it's 867 04:06:07.120 --> 04:06:24.160 your responsibility because you are our voice. I can't just go and start talking to them. They're not going to listen to me. But collectively, you have that power. I can only hope that my boys as they come into Copeland are as wonderful as these kids are here speaking to you 868 04:06:24.160 --> 04:07:05.359 from the heart about their personal experience and I am relying on you to make that a possibility. Thank you. Shane Ripky. >> First of all, uh my name is Joe Rebeeki, 68 Sha. Uh I want to commend each of the 869 04:07:05.359 --> 04:07:22.880 children who stepped up in front of this microphone tonight to speak. You have a voice and you're using it. So, thank you school board and superintendent Corbett. Four years ago, my daughter attended 870 04:07:22.880 --> 04:07:37.840 Copeland Middle School and yes, she spoke tonight and we were terrified of the trajectory of the school and her middle school years. We witnessed firsthand the lack of discipline and structure at school events like band and 871 04:07:37.840 --> 04:07:55.120 chorus concerts. We witness great teachers leave the school and this district. We witnessed friends in this Rockaway community take their kids out of school and place them in private schools. We wish watched as 872 04:07:55.120 --> 04:08:11.439 close friends even moved out of this district so that they could put their schools their children in other schools. Then everything changed the following year as Mr. Bear was hired as school principal and Mr. Young and Miss Champagne rounded out the school 873 04:08:11.439 --> 04:08:28.160 leadership team. Within three months of this team leading Copeland, there was a completely different and positive vibe emanating from the halls of Copeland. My daughter and many of the other kids we spoke to raved about the difference they felt in the school. There was now 874 04:08:28.160 --> 04:08:44.080 structure. There was discipline and a great energy coming from not just the students but the teachers. We remember that my wife and I attending a board meeting within the first few months of Principal Bear's tenure and I spoke candidly 875 04:08:44.080 --> 04:09:01.439 about how impressed we were in his leadership in the direction the school was headed. Our daughter graduated from Copeland last year and has nothing but positive memories of her time here and loved her last two years. This year, our son started at Copeland and has also enjoyed his first year. 876 04:09:01.439 --> 04:09:16.160 We were hoping he would have the same positive memories. That is until we recently heard that Principal Bear's contract had not been renewed. We're not here to make accusations of any kind, but I am very concerned and alarmed by the decisions that have been made by the 877 04:09:16.160 --> 04:09:32.000 superintendent and the school board. I leave you with this. A few weeks ago, I sat in this exact same room with maybe eight other people as we listened to a HIP lecture. Superintendent Corbett, after that 878 04:09:32.000 --> 04:09:50.319 event, you spoke to me. I said, "Doesn't seem like there's a lot of people here." You said, "It seems like the only time there's a big turnout for a board meeting is when the school community is really upset." I ask you and the rest of the board to look around this room and feel the pain, 879 04:09:50.319 --> 04:10:14.520 unease, and dissatisfaction we are all feeling at this time based off of your decisions. And if I may, to Mr. Bear, Mr. Young and Miss Champagne, thank you for your time and attention to the betterment of this school, these students, and my children, Shane Ripky. 880 04:10:20.640 --> 04:10:39.120 >> Ma'am, it's not your turn to speak. We have somebody else. My name is Shane Ripkkey 34. I live at 34 Kaug. Thank you all for coming out to support Mr. Bear and Mr. Young. I want to start off by saying that Mr. Bear reminds me of my old principal at 881 04:10:39.120 --> 04:10:55.520 Stonyie Brook Elementary, Mr. W. Mr. W is one of the only reasons why my middle school experience was good. And I see a lot of Mr. W and Mr. Bear. I know a lot of the children are shocked and disappointed that Mr. Bear's contract will not be resigned. And it 882 04:10:55.520 --> 04:11:12.640 has also come to my attention that Mr. Young's position will be terminated. Mr. Young is another great man that has brought a good middle school experience to myself and many other students. And one more thing, my sister Mayor Ripki has been to the school with both with both principles, Mr. Mr. Ganella and Mr. 883 04:11:12.640 --> 04:11:35.840 Bear. She said that with Mr. Bear, she felt more safe at the school. And that is all I have to hear to make my opinion about Mr. Bear. That is all I have to say. Thank you all. >> Eliza Rosenbel. >> Thank you. 884 04:11:35.840 --> 04:11:52.640 >> Uh to the board and to uh Dr. >> Can you please state your name and your address? >> Sorry. Yes. Eliza Rose about 44 Taylor Street. Thank you. >> Um to the board and to Dr. Bayer, thank you for your time listening to me myself as well as all of the other community members, parents, and students. I am 885 04:11:52.640 --> 04:12:08.960 here today without a speech. I'm speaking strictly from my heart. Um when I first heard the news that Dr. uh Mr. Bayer's contract was not going to be renewed, it was um it was troubling. It was very troubling. Uh my daughter has enjoyed all of her time here at Copeland. She's a sixth grader. She's 886 04:12:08.960 --> 04:12:25.760 enjoyed her time here at Copeland. Made a lot of friends and has felt very safe, welcomed, and loves school for the most part. Um it was it became an even more troubling experience when I learned that the Ruckers program was going to be 887 04:12:25.760 --> 04:12:41.279 eliminated. The Rucker mental health program serves a lot of students in this district and it serves a lot of students in Copeland. my daughter being one of them. Um, it has brought her out of her shell. It has made her a more whole 888 04:12:41.279 --> 04:12:56.960 student. Um, she participates in everything all due to the fact that that was there for her. It was troubling at the very beginning of the school year, but she has made strides and she has leaps and bounds from where she started. 889 04:12:56.960 --> 04:13:12.800 I attribute every aspect of her success to the Rucker's mental health program. Had it not been for that, I don't know where we would be. I I I I ask you, I beg you, I am I'm sure every single one 890 04:13:12.800 --> 04:13:29.120 of you either knows a child, has a child of your own, or has heard of a child throughout your own personal lives that struggles with mental health issues. This program is imperative. It is is the only way that a lot of the students can 891 04:13:29.120 --> 04:13:44.560 get through the day. It's the only way that a lot of the students can get through a marking period. It is the only way that a lot of students can wake up, get on that bus, and get here because without that support from that Rucker mental health program, a lot of the 892 04:13:44.560 --> 04:14:01.000 students wouldn't be in class. They wouldn't be in home room. They wouldn't be on that bus. I beg of you to re revisit that. revisit it because it is very helpful. That's Thank you very much. 893 04:14:03.920 --> 04:14:27.120 Puja Agarwal. Hi, my name is Puja Agarwal. Five Vintage Court. So, good evening board members. Um, I have come to know several of you throughout our past interactions and I've seen firsthand, you know, how 894 04:14:27.120 --> 04:14:44.319 you work to make things better for our community, better for our children. So, I have complete faith in you. I know you are people of solid family values who always put the children first. So, tonight I'm asking you to do just that. 895 04:14:44.319 --> 04:15:02.159 put our kids first and keep our principal, Mr. Bayer. Before my son reached middle school, all I heard from my neighbors was negativity. Every single child I spoke to in on my street, nobody liked it. But the moment I met 896 04:15:02.159 --> 04:15:21.120 both Mr. Bayer as well as uh Mr. young. There was a huge weight of relief that just literally just lifted off my shoulders. They instantly made the environment here feel safe and comfortable. Every single 897 04:15:21.120 --> 04:15:37.439 interaction I've had with them has been positive. So, I've always taught my kids that if you want to make a change, you have to stand up and make it happen. And that is why I'm here tonight. And I am so proud of every single student that has come 898 04:15:37.439 --> 04:15:54.000 here, whether past or present, to make a case for Mr. Bayer and Mr. Young. I am so proud to be part of this community that fights together. We stand up for what we believe in and standing up for what matters. And right now, 899 04:15:54.000 --> 04:16:24.080 keeping our principal and our dean, Mr. Young, that really matters. So, please keep them both here where they belong. Thank you, >> Carolyn Paige. >> Hey guys, Carolyn Page, 77206 Blue 900 04:16:24.080 --> 04:16:41.680 Mountain Drive in Wharton. I did not plan on speaking, so I don't really Whatever comes out comes out. But Dr. Dr. Corbett, we moved here four years ago. Every single time I email you, you respond right away. Every problem I've had, from HIV complaints to my kids not 901 04:16:41.680 --> 04:16:57.680 being heard, you have heard me and you've addressed it immediately. Noel, same. You have helped me through numerous issues and you've always been a friend to talk to you. So, I trust you. I really just want you to know that and I appreciate the work that you've done. I don't know the ins and outs of what's 902 04:16:57.680 --> 04:17:14.080 going on with the principal. What I keep hearing is how great Copeland has improved from a social and emotional uh behavioral aspect. What I'm not hearing is about academics and that's why I'm here. Whatever happens next, whether Mr. 903 04:17:14.080 --> 04:17:30.640 Bayer stays, we get a new principal. That is up to you guys. I am concerned about the academics at Copeland. My daughter is doing worse since being here. Um she doesn't get any written homework. the the math is everything is 904 04:17:30.640 --> 04:17:47.359 on I ready like uh there was a sub the power run out there is someone and my daughter is texting me about being on Tik Tok and a hairstyle and she's in math class and I'm like why are you on Tik Tok and so I emailed doc Mr. Bayer and he's like, "Well, if you don't want 905 04:17:47.359 --> 04:18:02.720 her on TikTok, don't send her with a phone." Cool. Valid. She was explicitly told she was allowed to be on Tik Tok because the power went out. And my question was, why is she not reading a book? Why is there not an academic 906 04:18:02.720 --> 04:18:18.239 conversation happening? I teach at NYU. I'm an NYU professor. We are taught to have standards for the academics that we provide. I want standards for academics at Copeland. I want my children challenged. I want them coming home with 907 04:18:18.239 --> 04:18:33.760 homework whether they like it or not. I do not My concern I guess maybe isn't as serious about the emotional and social stuff because I wasn't here for the bad side and I love that my kid feels safe and I like that my son is coming to a 908 04:18:33.760 --> 04:18:49.439 school where he'll feel safe but I also want them challenged. I want them ready for high school. I want them ready and interested in internships in high school. I want them interested in science camps. I want to know when my kid is failing and I want an email from 909 04:18:49.439 --> 04:19:22.399 the the teacher which I never get. I don't get communication from the students uh from the teachers to me and that is my concern for whatever is next. So thank you >> Juliana Kabasakalion >> Juliana Cavisa County and 113 Green Pond 910 04:19:22.399 --> 04:19:48.199 Road. I would love for Mr. Bayer to stay. He always make us feel safe and loved. He greets us with a smile every day. He is very kind and respect respectful to us. Thank you for your time. Leia Bilbao laa 911 04:19:53.359 --> 04:20:10.159 leia ba uh 62 Steven place. I feel it is like needed to mention that um a lot of us it has been mentioned in this conversation before that a lot of these students aren't feeling heard and 912 04:20:10.159 --> 04:20:26.080 I can confirm that because I am a sixth grade student that goes here and Mr. Bayer and Mr. Young have honestly done so much for this school. They have made people feel safe. they had made made people feel welcome and they're just making the school a way better place as 913 04:20:26.080 --> 04:20:43.279 heard by many people. So I feel that it is like needed to keep them because a lot of people are being helped. A lot of people are like feeling happier. A lot of people are having a better time at Copeland with them around. they can 914 04:20:43.279 --> 04:21:06.680 they've like I just said they've helped people a lot and it's honestly just such a nice place with them around and I feel like it's just honestly the greatest place I've been to with them around. Thank you Eningga Donskaya. 915 04:21:12.239 --> 04:21:29.680 Uh hello Inga Danskaya 64 Kanchi. Uh there are very there are two very important issues at stake here. One is mental health of children but I but a lot of that been said already. So I'll only add a couple things. My high school sophomore lived through both administrations and the before was 916 04:21:29.680 --> 04:21:45.279 everything the current parents are are fearing. Middle schoolers are tough crowd. They challenge everything. You know, they take full advantage of anarchy and they don't react very well to authoritarian style. The reason why the current administration works well for the kids is because they're treated 917 04:21:45.279 --> 04:22:01.199 like humans. I will address another very important issue, our children's education. When we are stressed, it affects our physical and mental health. Our productivity and quality of our work at our jobs. Same goes for our teachers. Our wonderful teachers have been put 918 04:22:01.199 --> 04:22:18.319 under a lot of stress for this. They are afraid to speak up. Their morale is very affected and their feeling of job security is shattered. I'm sure some of them have considered moving on. I have seen it firsthand as a child of a teacher. And who suffers as a result? Our children. The way our teachers are 919 04:22:18.319 --> 04:22:50.880 treated affects our kids' education. Please treat our teachers better and they deserve it. Thank you, Chris Kino. Good evening, Chris Colernel, 52 Hiburnia Road. Just wanted to come speak my piece here in regards to Mr. Bear's 920 04:22:50.880 --> 04:23:06.720 contract. Um, my girls are almost done here. One in freshman, one's eighth grade, one 7th. So, all three of them have had this administration nothing but great things to say. They loved it. They loved their time 921 04:23:06.720 --> 04:23:24.120 here. They were all nervous to come here just like any kid. But uh I gotta say fantastic time and I don't know why we would change gears now when things be seem to be going the right direction. So that's all I got to say. 922 04:23:27.760 --> 04:23:56.800 Christy Coralo. Uh, sorry, short people. Uh, Christy Quilu, 562 Mount Hope Road. Um, famous last words. I wasn't planning on coming here to speak. Uh, I'm not going to speak on Mr. Bear because, as you know, I'm conflicted because I do adore Mr. Bear and I'm very excited. I was very excited for my daughter to be in this 923 04:23:56.800 --> 04:24:12.640 school with him next year, but I also know Dr. Corbett, we've worked together and I have a lot of respect for you as well. So, I'm just kind of stuck there. Um, I did want to talk about Ruckers. Um, I don't know what the plan is. I will say this much. I was sitting in the crowd and and as people were coming up 924 04:24:12.640 --> 04:24:28.960 and talking about Ruckers, I happened to overhear someone say, you know, well, if your kid is really having that much trouble, something to that effect, I'm paraphrasing, they should go out and get extra help or external help or whatever the comment was. And I just said, "How incredibly ignorant." Because Ruckers, when the kid is at school, if there's a 925 04:24:28.960 --> 04:24:45.840 problem, identify, they come there and they handle it. I'm not going to be too graphic because there are children in the office and in the in the audience and good job kids on speaking up for yourselves. Um, that's I'm I'm shaking up here trying to speak, but um and I used to be there. Uh, Ruckers is 926 04:24:45.840 --> 04:25:03.120 instant. It is very difficult to find children support, especially after COVID. It is extremely diff difficult and for some parents extremely expensive. So when this the parent or the school is able to identify a problem with the student, 927 04:25:03.120 --> 04:25:18.000 they're able to call in an army of people from guidance counselors to professionals from Ruckers and they're able to take the next step to protect that child. Because I'll tell you, children who are leading to harm, it only takes a second. It only takes an instant. It only takes an afternoon, a 928 04:25:18.000 --> 04:25:33.840 night, a morning, a minute. Um, and so we need that support in this township. So I will say this, and I hope that you'll speak to it because I probably missed it because I I wasn't at the last meeting, that if we don't have ruckers, if we don't have those, I I call them angels who will sweep in and scoop up 929 04:25:33.840 --> 04:25:49.920 our children and help our children at a moment's notice, money or not, insurance or not, um, what will we have to replace that? So, at some point, I know it's a little heavy now for you, but at some point, if you can just speak to that, that would be great. Um, and again, I just want to thank the community for coming out and standing up for 930 04:25:49.920 --> 04:26:24.319 yourselves. You know, I I know it isn't easy. So, thank you. That covers everybody that was on the signup sheet. Do we have anybody else that would like to make a public comment at this time? Hi, my name is Greg Nelson. I live at 59 Miami Trail. I've been in a community 931 04:26:24.319 --> 04:26:50.960 for about 5 years now. Um, and I I honestly can't believe that this community um has come together to agree on anything. What we agree on is the names here. Rachel, 932 04:26:50.960 --> 04:27:06.640 Jackie, Lisa, Megan, Noel, I know that one. Allison, board attorney, Dr. Richard, Reverend Corbert, 933 04:27:06.640 --> 04:27:23.760 Jane Gorman, Jamie, sorry, Jamie, >> and Jamila, who looks like she's missing tonight. I think we've all voted for you, right? I have one of your names on a lawn sign in my garage. 934 04:27:23.760 --> 04:27:40.279 And my voice is as shaky as these little middle school students that are getting up here because I didn't plan to come up here and I didn't want to be up here. I think it's ridiculous what we're talking about. And I just had to speak up. 935 04:27:40.960 --> 04:27:59.439 Everyone is in agreement about Mr. Bayer staying here. The students have put their names on signs. It's going to morph into this community and they're going to put your names on signs, right? We're forming a community 936 04:27:59.439 --> 04:28:14.080 and that's beautiful. I didn't expect to find that in Rockaway. I really didn't honestly. And I found it here. But one name that I haven't seen on any posters or any yard signs is Dr. 937 04:28:14.080 --> 04:28:29.199 Reverend Richard Corbett, who as you know, I've I've seen you are have a masters of divinity, which is incredible. You have a a long career. I I I think that's something to be respected. And I believe that all of you 938 04:28:29.199 --> 04:28:46.239 on this board have put your opinions and your votes into whatever happens. And it sounds like whatever happens is probably going to happen. you had voted on Mr. Bayer. 939 04:28:46.239 --> 04:29:03.680 It sounds like that's going to go away. That's okay. Maybe he's done at the end of the year. But then to hear that two other administrators are now not renewed because of last month's meeting just sounds like retaliation, right? That's awful. And I 940 04:29:03.680 --> 04:29:27.920 don't think that retaliation would come from an entire board that we voted for. I think that retaliation is probably coming from one person. I just guessing right now again. I know my time is up, but if 941 04:29:27.920 --> 04:30:01.520 this board votes on what they vote on, we're all in agreement. We voted for you, but we probably won't vote for you again. Right. >> That's time. >> Thank you so much for your time. Asha Abaza. >> Good evening, Asha Abaza, 6 Easty Heart 942 04:30:01.520 --> 04:30:19.199 Street. Um, I didn't really prepare anything for tonight. Like some didn't, some have. I was just asked to read two anonymous letters that were submitted to us. Uh, one on 526, letter from Copeland Middle 943 04:30:19.199 --> 04:30:36.080 School teacher in regards to Mr. Bayer non-renewal. Mr. Bayer has cultivated a warm and welcoming environment for both students and staff. I can personally attest to the comfort and ease in communicating professional matters with him. I have 944 04:30:36.080 --> 04:30:53.279 never felt so supported by administration unlike in other districts. His door is always open. He is fair and level-headed, humble and kind. The students sense his co his calm demeanor and it makes a difference. In 945 04:30:53.279 --> 04:31:08.399 the last three years, under Mr. Bayer's guidance, recess has been brought back. Cougar climb has been established for students on the cusp of failing and brick builders are acknowledged. There is a positive more respect. There 946 04:31:08.399 --> 04:31:24.880 is there is positivity, more respect, and safety in the building. The administration, Ruthie, George, and Dustin have moved mountains. Why change what we know works? Why start over with a new dynamic when we know what works? 947 04:31:24.880 --> 04:31:41.199 He works. Please reconsider his renewal. Second letter. The morale has already changed significantly. The students are nervous and the staff feels uneasy. Mr. Bayer has established such an 948 04:31:41.199 --> 04:31:58.479 amazing standard. This is unfair. We need answers. Copeland has never been more stable and safe. I'm nervous of the anxiety this will bring into currently enrolled students, parents, and staff. And what about upcoming students? We 949 04:31:58.479 --> 04:32:14.720 have heard of the positive place Copeland has become because of Mr. Bayer. Please, please, please hear the outpouring of respect and appreciation for this man. This is about the children. The last thing I want to leave you with 950 04:32:14.720 --> 04:32:34.199 is look at these people. What are they here for? One thing, the kids. Do you support your kids? >> Stand up. >> Stand up. 951 04:32:36.640 --> 04:33:02.239 Support your kids. >> Thank you. >> Can I please have a motion to close public comment? >> So moved. >> Seconded. >> Show of hands. On page three of the agenda, you can see all of the communications that board mill has received since our previous 952 04:33:02.239 --> 04:33:19.199 meeting. Moving on to approval of the minutes. Could I please have a motion to approve the minutes? >> So move. >> Oh, I'm sorry. Go ahead. >> I just want to acknowledge that we did receive some um correspondents after the deadline. So those will be reflected on the next agenda. >> Yes. Yes. Thank you. 953 04:33:19.199 --> 04:33:35.119 >> Uh sorry. Can I please have a motion to approve the minutes? >> So moved. >> Second. Can I please get a roll call? >> Mrs. Anderson, >> yes. >> Mrs. Brooks, >> yes. >> Dr. Gorman, >> yes. >> Mrs. Mezik, >> abstain. >> Noted. >> Ms. Richardson? 954 04:33:35.119 --> 04:33:51.920 >> Yes. >> Ms. Mcgiri? >> Yes. >> Motion carries. >> Thank you, Dr. Corvette. >> Thank you, Miss Mcgre. On May 7th, we're going to put the slides up. Uh, Mike, thank you. On May 7th, 2026, our district proudly 955 04:33:51.920 --> 04:34:07.439 hosted a successful community wellness fair that brought together over 40 local agencies and organizations dedicated to supporting the health and well-being of our families. Representatives from organizations including Zufall Health, NJ SNAP, Ruter's Behavioral Health, St. 956 04:34:07.439 --> 04:34:22.639 Claire's and Community Food Bank of New Jersey were present to provide valuable resources and information to families. With approximately 100 families in attendance, the event created meaningful opportunities for community connection and support. Children enjoyed fun 957 04:34:22.639 --> 04:34:37.760 activities including ballroom uh ballroom artists and face painting, helping to make the evening both engaging and familyfriendly. We extend our thanks to all the agency staff members and families who participated and helped to make this 958 04:34:37.760 --> 04:34:53.920 year's community wellness fair such a tremendous success. Mr. Ganella met with the lead teachers earlier this month for a full day of planning focused on developing an academic approach that places less emphasis on technology and more emphasis 959 04:34:53.920 --> 04:35:08.799 on writing and hands-on learning experiences. Based on teacher feedback, our educators believe students are more more engaged, active, and thoughtful in their learning when they spend less time on devices and more time writing, discussing, and 960 04:35:08.799 --> 04:35:25.920 working through ideas independently. As a result, students can expect to spend more time writing across all subject areas next school year. Students and parents will also see the introduction of additional educational resources, including writing and math journals and other classroom materials 961 04:35:25.920 --> 04:35:41.279 designed to support critical thinking and written expression. The district is working to implement a more balanced educational approach, and students will be begin receiving handwriting instruction starting in grade three. 962 04:35:41.279 --> 04:35:57.199 Parent kindergarten information night was held at Stonybrook on May 14th. Parents were provided information regarding school procedures, classroom expectations, student readiness, opportunities for parent involvement, and upcoming kindergarten events. The 963 04:35:57.199 --> 04:36:13.840 evening was led by kindergarten lead teachers, Miss Raft and Miss Sprout. The Culpit Middle School band concert was held on May 12th, 700 p.m. at Morris Hills High School. I was there. students did an outstanding job. Thank you. And 964 04:36:13.840 --> 04:36:28.719 news from our school. Birwood students continue to thrive academically while enjoying meaningful and engaging educational experiences that enrich their learning journey. An NJSLA pep rally and heartfelt motivational notes 965 04:36:28.719 --> 04:36:46.240 created for our third, fourth, and fifth graders by the kindergarten, first, second, uh, and second grade students made an impact. Many students taking the NJSLA shared that they felt confident, prepared, and most importantly supported by the caring Birchwood family. Birwood 966 04:36:46.240 --> 04:37:02.320 students also demonstrated their compassion by helping raise funds for the annual annual animals in knee drive. On May 8th, the PTA and students kicked off teacher appreciation week in a special way by inviting students to dress like their favorite teacher. The 967 04:37:02.320 --> 04:37:19.760 PTA plant cell was a tremendous success and one highlight was seeing the joy on students faces as they selected the perfect plants for their mothers. The kindergarten team had a fantastic time during their field trip to Tranquility Farm, returning excited and eager to 968 04:37:19.760 --> 04:37:36.000 share all the fun activities that they experienced. The fourth and fifth graders also enjoyed memorable field trips this month. The fourth graders had a wonderful experience at Liberty Science Center and their enthusiasm for everything they learned was heard throughout the hallways. Meanwhile, the 969 04:37:36.000 --> 04:37:52.879 fifth graders enjoyed their annual trip to the Bronx Zoo, creating lasting memories alongside their classmates and families. DBO also celebrated teacher appreciation week by recognizing the outstanding dedication, compassion, and hard work of 970 04:37:52.879 --> 04:38:09.119 the faculty and staff. Throughout the week, students, families, and staff members took time to acknowledge the tremendous impact teachers have on the school community. DBO's educators continue to create a positive, supportive, and engaging learning environment where students are encouraged to grow academically, 971 04:38:09.119 --> 04:38:24.959 socially, and emotionally. The school community remains grateful for the professionalism and commitment shown by the staff who help make DBO such a welcoming and successful place for all students. In addition to celebrating staff members, DBO students continue to 972 04:38:24.959 --> 04:38:41.520 demonstrate leadership and community involvement through several meaningful initiatives. The student government is successfully leading a fundraiser to benefit St. Jude Children's Hospital, helping students understand the importance of giving back and helping others in need. The fourth grade classes 973 04:38:41.520 --> 04:38:58.480 organized a thoughtful birthday in a bag initiative to support local families. Through this project, students collected and assembled birthday themed items to help ensure that children in the community can celebrate their special day. DBO is extremely proud of its 974 04:38:58.480 --> 04:39:14.719 students for demonstrating kindness, empathy, leadership, and a strong sense of community service through these impactful efforts. Dwire's concert, band, band, and chorus actually have been enthusiastically preparing for their highly anticipated 975 04:39:14.719 --> 04:39:29.600 performance, which was today, May 27th, with students working diligently to ensure their performance is the very best it can be. Under the direction of Miss Aaron and Mrs. Wallace, there's always an element of creativity and surprise that make these performances 976 04:39:29.600 --> 04:39:46.560 truly special. In addition, Miss Rinko has been working with students across all grade levels to create colorful displays that will transform the hallways and auditorium into a vibrant showcase of students talent and creativity. As we begin to wind down the school 977 04:39:46.560 --> 04:40:02.320 year, the staff remains hard at work not only continuing to provide exceptional instruction each day, but also thoughtfully preparing for the year ahead. Careful planning conversations are underway to create the strongest possible classroom environments. 978 04:40:02.320 --> 04:40:19.280 Scheduling for next year is in progress and the kindergarten meet and greet have been planned with notifications already sent to our incoming families. The Dwari commitment to service continues as well through the seeds of service program. Students are exploring a wear blue for 979 04:40:19.280 --> 04:40:35.920 CASA initiative. CASA of Morris County supports foster children throughout Morris County and this effort reflects our students ongoing dedication to giving back to the community. Lastly, thanks to our PTA for another great teacher appreciation week, the Dwire family remains deeply committed to 980 04:40:35.920 --> 04:40:54.000 academic excellence while continuing to foster a culture of service, creativity, and community involvement. KDM students completed their NJSLA testing this month. Teacher Appreciation Week was also celebrated thanks to the KDMPTA. Teachers and staff were treated 981 04:40:54.000 --> 04:41:10.160 to thoughtful surprises each day. Students joined in the celebration by decorating notes and sharing their favorite things about their teachers. KDM had a fantastic field day with the theme roadtpping through the USA where students enjoyed a variety of activities 982 04:41:10.160 --> 04:41:25.120 led by Caitlyn Malloy and her team of wonderful parent volunteers. First grade students also have been having an exciting hands-on science experience caring for baby chicks. They had opportunities to hold, observe, and 983 04:41:25.120 --> 04:41:41.200 learn how to care for them, making for a memorable learning experience. KDM self-contained classrooms participated in a community-based instruction trip to the to Park Lake where students enjoyed a picnic lunch, walked around the lake identifying birds, and practice safety 984 04:41:41.200 --> 04:41:56.798 and appropriate social behaviors in a public setting. A group of students and parents joined the KDM food advisory committee to partner with Mashio's food service in tasting and rating potential lunch menu items. It was delicious. And finally, 985 04:41:56.798 --> 04:42:12.000 since the beginning of the year, KDM has over 318 positive office referrals of students displaying heart qualities. As we move towards the end of the school year, students continue to stay focused on upcoming I Ready assessments while also looking forward to end of the year 986 04:42:12.000 --> 04:42:27.920 activities. The Stony Brook School community held its annual NJSLA parade where students in grades K through2 enthusiastically cheered on the third, fourth, and fifth graders as they prepared for testing. Students worked hard throughout the testing period and 987 04:42:27.920 --> 04:42:43.360 showed great focus and perseverance. In addition, fourth grade dolphin teams created and carried out their own mission to reinforce Stony Brook's core values. Dolphin team one created a dolphin heart jar filled with positive affirmations to support fourth grade 988 04:42:43.360 --> 04:42:58.878 peers during recess, while dolphin team 5 completed its mission to help first and second graders follow hallway expectations. This spring also brought a series of successful events, including the book fair, the annual plant fair, and a special assembly with creature 989 04:42:58.878 --> 04:43:14.878 comforts. Pet therapy to celebrate the school's recent fundraiser in support of their cause. Staff appreciation week was another highlight as the entire team felt truly celebrated. The school year extends sincere thanks to the PTA and parent volunteers for their time, 990 04:43:14.878 --> 04:43:31.360 energy, and dedication in making these events possible. This past Tuesday, fifth graders celebrated their league graduation, recognizing their commitment to leadership and making positive choices. Thank you to all the families, staff, community members who came out to support this special milestone. Still to 991 04:43:31.360 --> 04:43:47.760 come are several end of the year events the school community always enjoys, which include field day, spring concert, and the art show. Coin Middle School enjoyed another successful and eventful month with students achieving uh with student achievement and school spirit. 992 04:43:47.760 --> 04:44:02.718 Congratulations are extend extended to both baseball and softball teams on outstanding seasons. The boys baseball team showed tremendous improvement from last year. While the girls softball team will put his undefeated season on the 993 04:44:02.718 --> 04:44:17.680 line against Puquanic Middle School, which they did today at 400 p.m. at Peterson Field in the Morris County Championship game. And I'm proud to say I understand they won. So, congratulations to the girls softball 994 04:44:17.680 --> 04:44:37.520 team for their championship. On Friday, May 22nd, Copa Middle School hosted a principal's breakfast to celebrate students who earn 95 uh center or average or higher on their third marking period. The event recognized the hard work and academic 995 04:44:37.520 --> 04:44:53.520 excellence demonstrated by these students. Unfortunately, for the first time in four years, I was unable to attend since at the time I had a meeting with the board president. Congratulations are also extended to the builders of the month. Students recognized for the were recognized for 996 04:44:53.520 --> 04:45:09.200 their citizenship, leadership, and commitment to doing the right thing even when no one is watching. Positive examples continue to make a meaningful impact throughout the community. And I will end with the HIV update. Uh just hit that link if you don't mind, 997 04:45:09.200 --> 04:45:24.560 Mike. That's the HIV update link. And to summarize, currently of the 15 investigations, three are confirmed. This evening, nine HIV investigations are on the agenda for board approval. Of 998 04:45:24.560 --> 04:45:41.200 the nine, three are confirmed. Mike, are you there? Does that link work? >> Link HIV update link. >> All right, that's a summation. I just kind of gave you the summary of it. Thank you very much. That is my report. 999 04:45:41.200 --> 04:45:56.878 >> Thank you, Dr. Corbett. Miss Oh, >> I had one question for Dr. Corbett. Um, you mentioned that we the handwriting instructions to begin in grade three uh during the next year. Is it possible for the district to consider providing handwriting instruction in all grade 1000 04:45:56.878 --> 04:46:14.400 levels next year? >> Yes, it's possible. We should certainly should. It's not just I mean, there's a new law that's been passed requiring instruction, which we support wholeheartedly. I think the challenge is going to be not just teaching students how to write cursively but also to give 1001 04:46:14.400 --> 04:46:29.600 them extended practice doing that for example through notetaking because it just a lesson doesn't do it doesn't drive the point home. So >> personally I would like to see less time online and and more doing that historical documents. >> Yeah that's exactly. >> So should I ask the education committee 1002 04:46:29.600 --> 04:46:46.160 to also look into that please? Yes, it's on. >> Thank you. It does. >> Thank you, Miss Slim. >> Thank you. Um, tonight's agenda reflects the appointment of our insurance brokers among other vendors. The district has decided to utilize a new broker for this coming year and will be appointing 1003 04:46:46.160 --> 04:47:02.798 Centric Benefits Consulting, replacing Brown and Brown. Given the difficult renewal this year, we're seeking a fresh perspective on our account and Creative Solutions as we move towards next year's renewal. Centric will act as broker for health, RX, vision, and dental benefits. Also on tonight's agenda, we have the 1004 04:47:02.798 --> 04:47:19.200 recommendation to appoint Mr. George Murden as interim supervisor of facilities and safety for the remainder of this year and for 2627. We held interviews this past month for the for this position and had many impressive candidates. During that process, George's knowledge of and dedication to 1005 04:47:19.200 --> 04:47:36.000 the district shone through. George presented a well- thoughtout and actionable plan based upon his experience and observations. as he has recently obtained his CFM certification. He will work for the upcoming year under the observation and guidance of our consultant and retired B&G director Angelo Palumbo. We expect great things 1006 04:47:36.000 --> 04:47:55.600 from George and congratulate him on his selection. >> Congratulations, George. >> We also have a motion to enter into an agreement with Lur's photography to replace Life Touch for school photos. Lors was evaluated by the district principles to ensure they meet our needs 1007 04:47:55.600 --> 04:48:13.040 and they were unanimously recommended. Under our finance section, we are recommending an agreement with CM CNM Doors Controls Incorporated for the completion of the district secure vestibial project. Pricing for this project is in accordance with the Mammoth Ocean Educational Services Commission pricing for a total of 1008 04:48:13.040 --> 04:48:30.480 $167,429 for all three locations that are going to be served. Um, so we are working through that co-op and uh benefiting from the bid that they completed. In addition, we are approving a change order for the district roof projects um for $55,965 1009 04:48:30.480 --> 04:48:46.718 to account for the removal and disposal of the solar panels that exist on the sections of roof we will be working on at both CMS and Stonybrook. At this time, due to the age and condition of the solar panels, we do not intend to reinstall those panels, nor are we purchasing new ones at the moment. Um 1010 04:48:46.718 --> 04:49:00.958 once the project is complete, we'll reassess that position and the solar panels will remain on the other sections of roof that are not being constructed. So ends my report. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Moving on to committee reports. Do we have any committee reports for this evening? 1011 04:49:00.958 --> 04:49:18.878 >> I have an ED committee meeting. Great. >> The education committee met on May 7th from 4:30 to 5:45 in the central office at the board office. In attendance was Dr. Corbett, Mr. Ella, myself, Mrs. Torren, Dr. Gorman, uh teacher, Miss 1012 04:49:18.878 --> 04:49:35.120 Springs, Miss Young, and Miss West. Um we discussed first teacher lesson plans. We discussed what um is required to go in them. We've kind of noted that teachers in the district have voiced an interest 1013 04:49:35.120 --> 04:49:52.240 to have more time to reflect on the students growth for the week. And in hearing that voice, we've decided to move forward so that plan books will be due on Mondays instead of on Fridays. We discussed in great detail I Ready that 1014 04:49:52.240 --> 04:50:08.718 um Miss Breg from KDM spoke to us about her use of I Ready. She talked about the three distinct parts for I Ready. Um there's the curriculum component, there's the online my path component, and then there's this universal screener 1015 04:50:08.718 --> 04:50:24.240 that is the primary piece of it. So we can see students ability levels and then create multiple tiers of response. Um the feedback is heard about how much time students are spending on the computer. While some teachers are able 1016 04:50:24.240 --> 04:50:39.600 to work with students individually while those other things happen, there is still a concern from parents of how much they're on screens. So, we would like to present the idea of a listening session early in the fall. Um, 1017 04:50:39.600 --> 04:50:55.440 on our agenda, we discussed creating a handbook for teachers and for staff, one that would be a universal for all elementary schools so that there's um the same language that's on the agenda 1018 04:50:55.440 --> 04:51:12.320 items to move forward. And we discussed um it was actually announced last meeting, but we again discussed the CUAC placement letter in August 2025. We had received a score of 76% from the county's interimm review, but they came 1019 04:51:12.320 --> 04:51:31.120 back and re reviewed us again and we're now at 83% which is identifying Rockaway Township as a high performing district. So, great job to teachers with all making that possible. >> Thank you. Any other committee reports? 1020 04:51:31.120 --> 04:51:47.200 >> Just something really quick. Um, our next community outreach meeting will be June 3rd. It's supposed to be virtual. >> Yes. Rachel, are you able to be there June 3rd? >> Um, it's usually 4:30 and it's virtual. >> One, two week later. 1021 04:51:47.200 --> 04:52:04.480 >> Yeah. We'll move forward creating some >> that's the only >> I have a a conflict with that and then we'll restructure some of the other committees. Yeah. >> Okay. >> Any other committee reports at this time? Okay, moving on to reorganization items 1022 04:52:04.480 --> 04:52:19.840 for board action. Mrs. Slim, did you want to jump in here or do I need to make a motion first? >> Um, no. I do actually want to make a slight amendment um to letter J auxiliary personnel. We are adding the architect of record for the district. 1023 04:52:19.840 --> 04:52:36.080 So, there will be a number seven and it will be appointment of architect of record. Upon the recommendation of the superintendent school, the board appoints USA Architects, Planners, and Interior Designers, LTD, as the district's architect of record. Um, they are the same architects we've been working with. We just neglected to have 1024 04:52:36.080 --> 04:52:52.200 them on the list, so we just want to add them. >> Great. Thank you. Can I please get a motion to approve the amended reorganization items? >> So move. >> Second. >> Any board discussion? 1025 04:52:53.440 --> 04:53:08.638 Is there a roll call on that? >> Yes. >> Yes. I could find >> I think it's on page >> n there. Okay. Public comment. >> Oh, do we have any public comment on reorganization items at this time? >> Okay. 1026 04:53:08.638 --> 04:53:28.160 >> Can I please get a roll call on that? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Anderson? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Brooks? >> Yes. >> Dr. Gorman? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Mesi? >> Yes. >> Ms. Richardson? >> Yes. >> Ms. McGiri? >> Yes. Motion carries. >> Moving on to personnel. Uh given the 1027 04:53:28.160 --> 04:53:41.920 conversations that were had earlier Oh, do you have something, Lisa? >> Oh, okay. I'm just looking intently. >> Given the conversations that were had earlier this evening during executive session, um I have a reading the wrong 1028 04:53:41.920 --> 04:54:00.000 script there. Excuse me. Um I'd like to make a motion. You need a motion to amend the resolution that's on the agenda. >> I make a motion to amend an item that's on the agenda. >> Second. >> Wait. Wait. 1029 04:54:00.000 --> 04:54:16.798 >> I'm making a motion to >> You're making a mo. So, the motion is to amend the resolution that is on the agenda for purposes of tableabling. >> Yes. Now, during board discussion, what I'd like to do is I'd like to table item B2 for further review and discussion. 1030 04:54:16.798 --> 04:54:35.200 That's on page 10, section B2, 2026 27 reassignments. So the motion and the second that is currently before the board of education is to amend the resolution that you are subsequently going to move and second to 1031 04:54:35.200 --> 04:54:50.160 adopt. >> Yes, >> this is going to table the item that Allison has set forth. All other items will be moved forward as a group. >> Everybody good? Do I do I need a full roll or can I do a hand show of hands? >> Do a full full roll. >> Full roll for the motion and full roll 1032 04:54:50.160 --> 04:55:13.040 for the vote or the >> This is This is to amend the resolution to table that item for another motion. >> Just give me one second. Okay. All right. I'm ready for a roll. Okay. Okay. Mrs. Anderson, >> yes. 1033 04:55:13.040 --> 04:55:27.760 >> Mrs. Brooks. >> Yes. >> Dr. Gorman, >> yes. >> Mrs. Messi, >> yes. >> Miss Richardson, >> yes. >> Miss McGiri, >> yes. >> Okay. Motion carries to table item B2. 1034 04:55:27.760 --> 04:55:43.680 >> And now you need a motion to approve all other items. >> Can I get a motion to approve all other personnel items, please? >> Second. >> Can I get a roll call, please? >> Yes. >> Hold on. All right. 1035 04:55:43.680 --> 04:55:59.040 Okay. >> Mrs. Anderson, >> yes. >> Mrs. Brooks, >> yes. >> Dr. Gorman, >> yes. >> Mrs. Mesi, >> yes. >> Ms. Richardson, >> yes. >> Miss Mcgiri, >> yes. >> Motion carries as amended. 1036 04:55:59.040 --> 04:56:15.920 >> Just for purposes of the record, the board just took action to table item B2 on the personnel items. All other items were moved forward without amendment and approved. The other item that is B2 is being tabled for further consideration and review just for clarity of what exactly occurred. 1037 04:56:15.920 --> 04:56:37.360 >> Okay. Moving on to HIB determination. Do I have a motion to amend HI resolution on the agenda based on conversations from earlier this evening in executive session? >> Oh my goodness. >> So move. >> Second. 1038 04:56:37.360 --> 04:56:55.320 Therefore, be it resolved that board of ed votes to affirm superintendent's recommendation on HIP cases. 30592 confirmed, 306203 unconfirmed, 306633 unconfirmed, 3066 1039 04:56:55.360 --> 04:57:10.798 unconfirmed. 30757 confirmed 306864 unconfirmed. 307713 confirmed, 307714 unconfirmed, and be it further resolved that the board of ed votes to remand HIP 1040 04:57:10.798 --> 04:57:28.480 case 307444 unconfirmed for additional investigation. >> I just wanted to make one point. Um, >> you said that one the 306757, you left out the six. >> So, I just wanted to make sure that >> I'm sorry. 1041 04:57:28.480 --> 04:57:44.798 >> Yeah, >> sorry. Sorry, I was reading my >> So the the modification that the board of education is making to the agenda this evening is to pull item 307444 from the list of approvals and instead remand that for further investigation. All other items as listed on the board 1042 04:57:44.798 --> 04:58:02.080 agenda are moving forward as approved. Do I have any board concern regarding that amendment? >> Okay. So, I need I need a motion second to approve the amendment and then a roll call on that. >> I have a motion in a second. I need a 1043 04:58:02.080 --> 04:58:16.560 roll call. >> Can I get a roll call? >> Okay. So, Mrs. Anderson, >> yes. >> Mrs. Brooks, >> yes. >> Dr. Gorman, >> yes. >> Mrs. Meszi, >> yes. >> Ms. Richardson, >> yes. >> Miss Mcgiri, >> yes. >> Motion carries as amended. >> And now the appro the approval of the 1044 04:58:16.560 --> 04:58:32.958 amend uh of the amended resolution. >> Can I get a motion for the approval of the amended resolution? >> Second. Can I get a roll call on that, please? >> Mrs. Anderson, >> yes. >> Mrs. Brooks, >> yes. >> Dr. Gorman, >> yes. >> Mrs. Mesi, >> yes. 1045 04:58:32.958 --> 04:58:48.878 >> Miss Richardson, >> yes. >> Miss McGary, >> yes. >> Motion carries. >> Again, just to follow up, as far as transparency goes, the board of education previously published the agenda which listed the uh identified HIPS for the second board approval. Um 1046 04:58:48.878 --> 04:59:04.798 the board of education as part of its executive session determined that further investigation on one item was uh required. So as a result the board of education is approving all the other HIPS that are listed for approval with recommend uh taking action to remand one for further investigation just for 1047 04:59:04.798 --> 04:59:19.440 clarity. >> Thank you. This is the last piece to add in. Moving on to education. I'd like to walk in upon the recommendation of the superintendent of schools. The board of education concurrently approves the 1048 04:59:19.440 --> 04:59:36.000 third grade field trip for KDM students scheduled for May 26, 2026 to Kain University for the Wild World of Weather program. Can I please get a motion to approve the education section as amended? >> So moved. 1049 04:59:36.000 --> 04:59:52.400 >> Second. Do we have any public comment on the amended education section? >> Can I please get a roll call vote? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Anderson? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Brooks? >> Yes. >> Dr. Gorman? 1050 04:59:52.400 --> 05:00:07.680 >> Yes. >> Mrs. Messi? >> Yes. >> Ms. Richardson? >> Yes. >> Ms. McGiri? >> Yes. >> Motion carries. >> Thank you. Moving on to section D, special education. Can I please have a motion to approve special education recommendations? >> So move. >> Second. 1051 05:00:07.680 --> 05:00:26.638 Any board discussion? Any public comment on special education? >> Can I please get a roll call vote? >> Mrs. Anderson? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Brooks? >> Yes. >> Dr. Gorman? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Mzik? Yes. >> Miss Richardson? >> Yes. >> Miss McGee? >> Yes. >> Motion carries. 1052 05:00:26.638 --> 05:00:42.638 >> Thank you. Moving on to E. Administration. Can I please have a motion to approve administration recommendations? >> So moved. >> Second. Any board discussion? Any public comment? Can I please get a roll call vote? 1053 05:00:42.638 --> 05:00:57.200 >> Mrs. Anderson, >> yes. >> Mrs. Brooks, >> yes. >> Dr. Gorman, >> yes. >> Mrs. Messi, >> yes. >> Miss Richardson, >> yes. >> Miss McGee, >> yes. >> Motion carries. >> Thank you. Moving on to finance. Can I please have a motion to approve finance recommendations? 1054 05:00:57.200 --> 05:01:12.878 >> Seconded. >> Any board discussion? Any public comment on finance recommendations? I just wanted uh one question. Sure. Uh did you sign >> I did sign the bills as you were asking. Yes, I signed the bills. I was up there 1055 05:01:12.878 --> 05:01:28.320 yesterday. Everything looks good. We are good to go ahead and approve them. Thank you, Lisa, for the reminder. >> I blocked it out, honestly. >> Well, that's heartbreaking for me. Thought you enjoyed signing the bills. >> Uh can I please get a roll call vote on finance items? 1056 05:01:28.320 --> 05:01:43.760 >> Mrs. Anderson? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Brooks? >> Yes. >> Dr. Gorman? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Messi? >> Yes. >> Miss Richardson? Yes, >> Miss Mciri. >> Yes. >> Motion carries. >> Thank you. Can I please get a motion to approve pol policy recommendations? >> Seconded. 1057 05:01:43.760 --> 05:02:01.760 >> Any board discussion? Uh, any public comment on policy recommendations? Can I please get a roll call vote? >> Mrs. Anderson? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Brooks? >> Yes. >> Dr. Gorman? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Messi? >> Yes. >> Miss Richardson? Yes. >> Ms. MCI? >> Yes. >> Motion carries. 1058 05:02:01.760 --> 05:02:18.400 >> Thank you. In accordance with board policy 0167, public discussion is limited to 15 minutes with a threeinut limit per member of the public. The board president shall have the right to modify the length of public discussion as she deems appropriate. Can I please have a motion to open public comment? 1059 05:02:18.400 --> 05:02:52.560 >> So moved. >> Second. >> Show of hands. >> Do we have any additional public comment at this time? I'm sorry. I know it's really late. Um, I just want to say real quick from my personal experience what it's like to 1060 05:02:52.560 --> 05:03:09.040 deal with the outpatient psychiatric care if you don't have something like Ruckers available to you when something happens. My daughter recently had a pretty bad psychiatric event. Um, and we ended up at St. Claire's because I heard 1061 05:03:09.040 --> 05:03:24.240 that their program is great for psychiatric care. Um, that was on April 30th. She was in CCIS from April 30th through May 5th. On May 12th, several days after she got out, we had our first appointment with a therapist. Two days 1062 05:03:24.240 --> 05:03:40.798 later, we had an appointment with a psychiatric psychiatrist. On May 14th, we had our first meeting with Perform Care. They asked us a bunch of questions. On May 19th, we had a second meeting where they combined two different meetings to ask us a whole 1063 05:03:40.798 --> 05:03:57.360 bunch more questions. On May 21st, we I had a parent meeting so that they could ask me questions. On June 3, we have a psych follow-up. On June 3rd, we also have another parent meeting so that they can ask me more questions. As of right 1064 05:03:57.360 --> 05:04:33.920 now, my daughter does not have a therapist. Jackie Bader again. I just want to say thank you very much for listening to everyone tonight, including the students. We appreciate you guys taking the time and extending the 15 minutes 1065 05:04:33.920 --> 05:04:50.878 per the president. um it makes a difference for at least us to get things off of our chest and being able to be heard. And I know there's a lot of followers right now watching on the YouTube link, which we also appreciate for people who cannot be here. I also appreciate that you guys took the time 1066 05:04:50.878 --> 05:05:08.160 and tabled the one um personnel question issue, whatever the heck you want to call it. Um that was a very big concern that a lot of us spoke about tonight. So, thank you for that and thank you for taking the time to look into further 1067 05:05:08.160 --> 05:05:44.000 things that are coming up and asking your own questions and making your own decisions. Appreciate it. I have the longest street name. So, Gretle Raybeck, 29 Old Biddtown Road. Um, I have a very, very quick comment. This has been a long meeting, but I just 1068 05:05:44.000 --> 05:06:01.200 wanted to point out that um, Rucker Behavioral Health was the organizers of our community wellness event. It was held here at Copeland, but they were the ones that obtained all of the vendors and made it such a success. And I'd just like to ask Dr. Corbett to maybe revise 1069 05:06:01.200 --> 05:06:22.480 your slides to show that they weren't just a participant, they were a proponent of the community while this fair. Thank you. Any other public comment? Can I please have a motion to close public comment? >> So move. >> Second. 1070 05:06:22.480 --> 05:06:39.440 >> Show of hands. Any old business? I guess it's old business because it Sorry, two things. I do have two things. It's it handwriting. And so I do want to give credit where credit is due. I want 1071 05:06:39.440 --> 05:06:55.840 to um recognize Mrs. Harily because she is teaching handwriting as I'm sure a lot of the teachers are kind of going over and making sure there's time for handwriting, but I know that she spent a significant time point of time this year to make sure that while her students 1072 05:06:55.840 --> 05:07:12.360 were reading documents that were 250 years old that they also could understand the handwriting. And so our seventh graders are relearning skills and they're excited for it. So I wanted to thank her for that because it matters. 1073 05:07:14.000 --> 05:07:30.080 And then I have one new business. Is there any other old business? >> New business. Go ahead. >> I just want to wish good luck to all of our music students as they perform in the High Notes Music Festival this week. I know they've been working really hard. >> Excellent. Thank you. 1074 05:07:30.080 --> 05:07:46.320 >> Any other new business? >> Yes. I just wanted to comment that I attended the principal's breakfast. Um unfortunately Dr. Corbett wasn't able to come because he was having his weekly meeting with you. meeting with me. >> But um congratulations to all the children that um were invited to that 1075 05:07:46.320 --> 05:08:02.160 breakfast. >> Excellent. Thank you. Any other new business? >> Okay. Do we have any reason to return to executive session at this time? Excellent. Uh can I please get a motion to adjourn the meeting? 1076 05:08:02.160 --> 05:08:13.878 >> So moved. >> Second. >> Can I please have a show of hands? Meeting adjourned at 9:40 p.m. Thank you everyone. Uh, no.