Family members and friends armed with cameras filed into Hartford School’s gymnasium to say congratulations to eager students who participated in school projects and groups this school year as well as to say goodbye to teachers entering the retirement stage of their lives.
Mt. Laurel School District recognized its dedicated staff and hardworking students at the May 21 regular Board of Education meeting in Mt. Laurel.
Prior to the meeting, a half hour reception for retiring teachers was held.
To begin the night’s program, the Pledge of Allegiance was performed in sign language by the Springville School Sign Language Club led by retiring teacher Marsha Giordano.
“They take it very seriously,” Giordano said. “They’re very respectful.”
With a hearing impaired population in Springville School, students are taught to view signing as a language.
“Over the years, I really tried to keep the club going,” she said.
The students begin recognizing the need to know sign language after seeing those with hearing issues in their churches, in a restaurant or at a store, she said as examples. They can check out books at the Mt. Laurel Library to help teach them how to sign.
“They want to learn as much as they can,” she said.
The club is held for 10 weeks each spring. At the time of the meeting, the students who led the pledge were in their seventh week of instruction.
“My PTO in both schools strongly supported (the club),” she said.
The board of education was moved by last year’s presentation, she said, and were supportive of having them begin the program this year as well.
Students involved in the club range in grade level from second to fourth.
“This is one club that makes a difference for the community,” Giordano said. “It’s made a difference for those kids to feel comfortable and included.”
The board recognized a variety of groups and individuals.
Four students in the sixth-grade at Hartford School were accepted to the All South Jersey Elementary Choral Festival. Their vocal music teacher, Cynthia Tedesco, was applauded for her work with them, as well as her work with the multiple students who participated in the Childrensong of New Jersey Broadway Songfest Workshop.
Odyssey of the Mind participants were also recognized, shortly before leaving for the international conference.
According to Dr. Antoinette Rath, superintendent of schools, the group has already made states and nationals.
After finishing awarding students, the board changed gears and recognized both this year’s retirees and teachers who have served for 25 years within the district.
“We hate to lose these people,” board president Ronald Frey said in regard to those retirees who have invested so much of their lives and hearts into the district.
