The Evesham Township school district’s board of education recognized the Cal Ripken World Series National Champions and commended district staff at its Sept. 22 meeting.
Marlton’s 10U baseball team won the championship last month at a tournament in Vincennes, Indiana. It also won district, state, and regional tournaments and represented the entire Mid-Atlantic Region at the World Series. The team was also recognized at the Phillies-Braves game on Sept. 24.
Certificates were awarded to players Michael Appalucci, Kyle Burgess, Christopher Cameron, Drew Gable, Kellan Graham, Nicholas Hopp, Daniel Incollingo III, Jacob McGonigle, Aiden Siitonen, Cole West, Clayton Westerside and Brayden Ziegler.
School Superintendent Dr. Justin Smith congratulated the team and expressed gratitude that it is made up of students in the district.
“We’re so excited for your accomplishment and we couldn’t be happier that you’re a part of our family here in the Evesham Township School District,” he said.
Smith also commended staff for their efforts during back-to-school nights earlier this month. Every middle-school parent – and a majority of elementary-school parents – attended the sessions in person for the first time since COVID.
“It’s hard to overstate the magnitude of those nights,” he noted. “I don’t know if anything will ever go back to normal, but (it felt) like our new normal. I just want to thank all of the staff for the time they take in preparing that and the energy that they give to the students every day, which was so palpable in their presentations those evenings.”
“So thank you from our (entire district staff) for seeing, hearing and valuing our kids and making them feel (valued) so that they can learn.”
Board president Lea Ryan cited the curriculum department for its efficiency and for being ahead of schedule during the summer.
“I would like to publicly acknowledge all the hard work our curriculum department did over the summer,” she said. “There are five different curriculums that they worked on and updated, per state standards.
“Sitting down and discussing it with our curriculum supervisors, there wasn’t really much to add,” Ryan added. “We were doing what the state wanted us to do before they (asked) us to do it. That’s a true testament to our curriculum department, so kudos on a very productive and busy summer.
The next board meeting is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 27.