Cliffwood Third Graders Honored for Creating Aberdeen Brochure

Cliffwood Elementary School students showed their Aberdeen pride by creating brochures for the town that educate visitors and new residents about all the area has to offer.

The project was part of a third grade civics lesson, explained teacher Dawn Lasko. The activity changed a book-based lesson about how a township operates with a council, mayor and employees into a hand's on experience about a place the students know well.

"It was very meaningful for them and because it was a project based activity, it got them to learn things and get excited," Lasko said. "It was more built into their community and they took it to a personal level."

The third graders researched different aspects of the town including recreation activities, history, how it operates and the current township council. The students individually created reports on their topic of study, and as a group built a brochure summarizing the most important details.

When they finished, Lasko sent copies of their work to the township council.

"It was a nice way for the kids to relate to everything that was going on and give it as a gift to the town," Lasko said.

Mayor Fred Tagliarini and the township council decided to honor the students by delivering a proclamation at their meeting Tuesday night.

Tagliarini stood in front of the smiling students and thanked them for their hard work, which is currently on display in the lobby of the .

"The Township Council wishes to recognize Mrs. Lasko and her third grade class for their successful project developing a sense of community and pride represented with this brochure," said Tagliarini, while delivering a proclamation made in honor of the students. "Success doesn't happen to you, it happens because of you."

The students will also be recognized by the Matawan Aberdeen Regional School District at the Board of Education meeting Monday, Jan. 23 at 7 p.m. at Cliffwood Elementary School.