MTHS Band Honored
The accomplishments of the MTHS band and color guard were celebrated at the June 29, 2009 Board of Education meeting. The Marching Hawks band was recognized for being named South Jersey Champions and the MTHS Winterguard were honored as Independent Regional A Division Champions. Two musicians were also recognized for their individual accomplishments; Alex Fox for being selected to All Shore Symphonic Band and Derek Warner Reyes for his selection to All Shore Jazz Band.
Graduation Ceremonies
Board President Mary Walter and Superintendent of Schools David Trethaway congratulated MTHS Principal Alex George and MTMS Principal Tom Baxter on the successful middle school and high school graduation ceremonies.
Relay for Life
Trethaway also congratulated the high school for their first ever Relay for Life event, which raised nearly $40,000 for the American Cancer Society. The overnight event on the high school football field had 47 teams walking the track in honor of cancer survivors and those who lost the battle with cancer. Trethaway said he was impressed with the organization of the event and number of activities that continued throughout the night. MTHS Principal Alex George said, “It was really inspiring, especially the way it brought the community together.”
Staff Recognition
A recent district Staff Recognition presentation went very well also, Trethaway said. “Since the new state regulations forbid us from having a dinner or giving gifts to our retirees and teachers of the year, we thought we should do something to recognize these people,” he said. The entire district staff attended the presentation, held at the end of the school year in the high school auditorium. He thanked Sodexo Food Services for donating coffee and bagels for the staff and Linda Bleeke, home economics teacher at the middle school, for the memory quilts that she hand-made and presented as gifts for each of the retirees.
Summer Jumpstart Program
Ollie Lokerson, Director of Special Services, and Kevin Burger, Director of Student & Administrative Services, reported that 150 students would attend the summer Jumpstart program this year, the most ever. This program provides extra help for students who need it and has been very successful over the years, said Burger.
New Referendum
Trethaway announced that the district is working on a new referendum proposal for the most urgent needs in the district, like roof repairs. He said he hopes to be able to present the new proposal to voters in September.
Financial Award
Business Administrator Craig Lorentzen announced that, for the 13th consecutive year, the district will receive the Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting for the 2007-2008 fiscal year.
