The district had multiple causes for celebration including successes in athletics, innovation and school safety.
The Moorestown School District had cause for celebration at last Tuesday night’s Board of Education meeting. The district celebrated a number of accomplishments, including success in athletics, innovation and school safety.
The district was informed a few weeks ago Moorestown High School and William Allen Middle School have received Bronze Level Certification through Future Ready Schools New Jersey. Bronze Certification is the highest certification a school can earn the first time it applies.
“It validates a lot of the work that our staff, our administrators, our board in [previous years] have put together to make sure we’re moving our technology forward,” said Superintendent Scott McCartney.
Last year, the district underwent a self-assessment to earn the designation. Through a number of criteria, the district had to demonstrate it is using technology and digital tools to support students’ learning.
McCartney said the district will not undergo the evaluation again this year, but it plans to use the information it has collected from the assessment to determine what it’s doing well and where it can still improve. He said the district’s committees will continue to look at that information and build on it to put new practices into place.
“We have committed to a long-term incremental process for making sure we’re providing that instruction to prepare our students for the future,” McCartney said.
In mid-September, the district received more good news. The district is eligible for a range of between $1 million and $1.7 million in funds for school security improvements. In June, the Burlington County Board of Chosen Freeholders announced it was making a $20 million grant available to all 21 high schools in Burlington County for the purpose of school security.
A third party architect walked through Moorestown High School and assessed the school’s security using a rubric. McCartney said they are submitting their application in the hope that they get as close to the $1.7 million as possible.
“My understanding is that Moorestown is receiving a significant margin greater than many of the districts that applied,” McCartney said.
The board also recognized MHS’ Unified Basketball Team. In July, the team participated in the 2018 Special Olympics USA Games in Seattle and returned home gold medalists.
Unified sports joins people with and without disabilities on one team. At the Olympics, MHS students defeated the home state of Washington, 26–20, before going on to the championships where they beat Ohio, 27–18. The team went undefeated in the tournament.
“You represented not only Moorestown but the state of New Jersey very well, and we were very proud of you,” McCartney said.
Andrew Seibel said serving as one of the team’s captains has been one of the most incredible pieces of his time as principal of Moorestown High School.
“Every step of the way has just been something truly unique and overwhelming,” McCartney said.
The next Board of Education meeting will take place on Tuesday, Oct. 16, at 7 p.m. at William Allen Middle School.
