Much to Celebrate at West Essex Board of Education Meeting
NORTH CALDWELL, NJ — Proud parents and high school students filled the room during the West Essex Regional Board of Education meeting on Monday, where students presented their Independent Studies projects.
Seniors Sara Kalb and Evan Katz’s project focused on financial and capital markets worldwide. Kalb will be attending the University of Vermont as an engineering major and Katz will be attending Indiana University in the fall as a business major.
Paige Wasserman, also a senior, is enthusiastically looking forward to entering her freshman year, seeking a degree in theatre while attending Northwestern University. Wasserman, along with her handpicked chorus, performed their rendition of “Mama Who Borne Me” from the Broadway musical “Spring Awakening.”
Ryan Hinchcliffe, a junior who is considering applying to Stevens Institute of Technology and Rowan University, presented excerpts of his original video production, “Broke Engineer.”
The administration and members of the board and the public were impressed by the students’ passion and knowledge of their respective areas of study and interest.
In other news, Lisa Swanick, teaching instructional supervisor of Fine, Performing and Practical Arts, shared with updates from her department.
“Our focus is how we prepare students to become well rounded citizens,” she said. “Our goal is to make sure students and not just work force ready but world ready.”
Swanick reflected that by creating programs for students to find their niche and explore their full potential is one of the ways to ensure their success in the future. While speaking of the many opportunities offered to the students, Swanick stated that of the current middle school students who are in the band, choir or orchestra, 25 percent attend after-school programs to further expand their interests in the arts and STEM that are not presented in their chosen full-year programs but are during the cycles sessions.
During the 2017-2018 school year, Swanick said the department was able to offer new courses in the arts, including: Drawing and Composition II, Fashion Illustration II, Guitar and Music Technology. Most recently, the board approved Digital Photography, to begin in September, in addition to the plethora of other arts courses currently being offered.
Swanick also noted that this was the fifth consecutive year that West Essex was recognized as one of 580 high schools in the nation that offers an exceptional music education program.
West Essex Regional Middle School principal Vee Popat also spoke to the board on behalf of himself and high school principal Caesar Diliberto.
He discussed end-of-the-year activities taking place in the middle school, including “Take Your Child To Work Day,” which raised funds for Autism New Jersey. On behalf of Diliberto, Popat noted that 299 high school students were preparing to take 893 Advanced Placements exams in 23 subjects.
All agenda items were passed unanimously during the meeting. As is required by law, appointments and renewals for the upcoming school year were moved and passed. Included in the agenda items was an amended job description for a behaviorist as well a new position of a special education teacher at the middle school. The board also acknowledged the retirement of longtime high school fine arts teacher, Caren Maw, after 12 years.
Board president Deborah Sacco-Calderone noted the board’s excitement that two of its members will be recognized for their accomplishments at the next New Jersey School Boards Association County of Essex meeting.
Anthony Prinzo, who joined the board in January of 2017, will be recognized as an active new member who has already accumulated 10 board members academy credits within his first year along with other commitments. Board member Judith Amorim-Dias, only in her fourth year as a member, will be honored with the coveted Certified Board Leader accommodation, the highest achievement a board member can receive.
Sacco-Calderone announced that all board members will attend the ceremony to support their colleagues and their achievements. Noting that this is also Teacher Appreciation Week, she thanked the entire teaching staff on behalf of her colleagues.
The next board of education meeting will be held on May 21.
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