Interim Superintendent Joseph Bollendorf marked one year in the township school district on Jan. 23.
“One of the first things I did when I came here last year was (I) attended a Unified basketball game, and I was just so taken by the interaction of our students and the support that they received from our community, our staff,” he noted at the board of education’s meeting earlier this month.
“And I did go to a game yesterday (Jan. 22) … and it’s just a marvel … to see what has been embraced in this community in terms of inclusivity of all of our students and how we work together to make us all feel a part of this Moorestown family.”
Bollendorf went on to express his admiration for the district’s efforts to enrich students.
“It’s very commendable and probably something that the community takes for granted, but I can assure you that … I wouldn’t say you stand alone, but you stand apart in so many of the things that you do as it relates to the work that is in place for our kids,” he explained.
“I just want you to know from an outside perspective that I admire it, I appreciate it and I want to congratulate those of you that are very much responsible for keeping those kinds of (school) programs in place.”
Earlier in the meeting, Board President Mark Villanueva paid respects to late paraprofessional Barbara Barker, who passed away last month.
“She was a para that welcomed students all throughout the schools …” he noted of Barker, who worked mostly at Moorestown Upper Elementary School. “(She) definitely connected with the students in the school … “
Following committee reports, the approval of agenda items and other business, the board opened the meeting’s second public comment section.
“ … I am here to commend my colleagues at South Valley (elementary school), my alma mater, because as part of their curriculum, the kindergarten classes at South Valley welcomed parents of various students into their classes to share various holiday customs,” teacher Paige Morgan related.
“Exposing our children to various cultures, customs and traditions is such an important part of helping our students appreciate and respect our differences,” Morgan added.
“ … I’d like to commend my colleagues at WAMS (William Allen Middle School) for the Oasis Club,” teacher Grace Mulligan said. “It ran a bake sale this month to raise money for the Jadon Strong Foundation, which supports families impacted by pediatric brain cancer …
“Students are working hard at winter sports and extracurricular activities, including preparing for the spring musical, ‘Rock of Ages,’” she added. “Also, best of luck to the honors math students who will be competing in the AMC (American Mathematics Competition) 8 math competition.”
To view the session, visit YouTube and search for Moorestown board of education meeting.
