Administrators and students participated in Operation Shoebox

PERTH AMBOY – A video presentation was given at the 4/10/14 BOE Meeting spotlighting the elementary schools which were involved in Operation Shoebox. The Ceres, Flynn, Patten, Richardson and Wilentz Schools students presented shoeboxes filled with school supplies to the James Monroe Elementary School Students.

These students from Edison, have been placed temporarily in vacant classrooms that were refurbished at Middlesex County College. Their school was destroyed by a fire on March 23, 2014.

When the students, teachers and administrators arrived at MCC they were met with smiles and appreciation from their counterparts. James Monroe Elementary School Principal Lynda Zapoticzny was also received a gift box.

The next person to speak at the 4/10/14 Board Meeting was ROTC Captain Karen Hard. Hard was proud of the fact that the First Year Cadets were recognized and awarded trophies at competitions they appeared in.

ROTC Captain Karen Hard

Board Member Ken Puccio said, “The ROTC has been a “Gem” in our community for more than 20 years. Captain Gunney Ramirez is the heart and soul of the ROTC and he has changed a lot of lives. Most of the ROTC students have distinguished themselves in their careers.”

Board Member Maria Garcia said, “My two daughters and my son were ROTC Members. They developed survival skills and discipline through this organization. I’ve gone on camping trips with them and did cooking on those trips.”

Board Member Anthony Bermudez said, “The military is a great option and I’m talking through experience. More people should get involved through with the ROTC. I’m trying to get more funding for this organization.”

This prompted Board Member Garcia to invite Bermudez to go camping with her the next time the ROTC has a trip.

R.L. Anderson Supporters cheer after Anderson was voted in as principal of the Wilentz School

The third bright spot of the BOE Meeting was the appointment of R.L. Anderson to become the permanent Principal of the Wilentz School.

The staff from the Wilentz School was in full force. They stood up and cheered wearing T-shirts and waving signs showing their love and support for Anderson.

When it came time for the Board to vote, the members were polled separately. All enthusiastically voted, “Yes,” except for Dianne Roman who had to abstain. Even though Roman abstained, but extended her best wishes to Anderson and was glad that he was given the position.

New Wilenz School Principal Ronald L. Anderson

Anderson thanked the Board, his staff, students and community leaders. He looked upward and said, “I’m pretty sure Roland (Jenkins) had a hand in this.”

Earlier Mary Griffin of the Wilentz School told the Board, “Mrs. Mascenik helped merge two neighborhoods together to have one school. To this very day we sorely miss Mr. Jenkins but Mr. Anderson has brought joy and laughter back to the school.”

Puccio said, “This is a snapshot of what a true Administrator is like. Anderson grew up in that neighborhood where the Wilentz School is and the whole School is here to show their support.”