Union County Year In Review: The Year In Schools

January 12, 2011 —

Five African acrobats thrilled students and teachers during a morning assembly at Allen W. Roberts Elementary School.

January 13, 2011 —

Elementary school nurses Jan Miller and Trish Kalinger organized the annual Family Life Education Preview for Grades K-5 at the Salt Brook Elementary School.

January 26, 2011 —

Annual spelling bee at Salt Brook Elementary School spells a good time for students, family and friends.

February 8, 2011 —

The Department of Education released the school report cards, which show that New Providence's median administrator and faculty salaries are increasing and above the state average.

February 18, 2011 —

Tom McCarthy and Joe Tiboni create a movie starring award-winning actor Paul Giamatti — and New Providence itself. 'Win Win' premiered in limited theaters in NYC on March 18.

February 28, 2011 —

The district received $322,610 in state funding, which actually decreased the tax levy by 0.02 percent for New Providence residents.

March 3, 2011 —

Children's author helps students at Salt Brook Elementary School celebrate Read Across America week.

March 7, 2011 —

Students in grades 5 and 6 at Allen W. Roberts School sang, danced, and even rapped on March 4 at the annual Talent Show.

March 9, 2011 —

Berman, a 1973 graduate of New Providence High School, alleged to have accepted over $13,000 in windows and doors.

March 12, 2011 —

The large cast of "Bye Bye Birdie" received a well-deserved standing ovation following the opening night performance Friday, March 11 at the auditorium. Directed by Craig Duke and Susan Kirkland, the show had audiences laughing from start to finish.

March 25, 2011 —

Goldman Sachs donated $160,000 to the school district to purchase and install new technology in each of the borough’s schools. The check was presented to the Board of Education at their meeting Thursday night, where the proposed 2011/2012 school budget was also discussed.

March 28, 2011 —

After four years as the principal of Allen W. Roberts Elementary School, Michael Barcadepone left the district to become the Superintendent of Schools in Allendale.

April 1, 2011 —

Arthur Cattano was appointed as the new head football coach at the Board of Education meeting on March 31 in place of Frank Bottone, who retired at the end of the fall season after 48 years.

April 22, 2011 —

The fourth grade students at had a close up look at exactly what goes into a compost bin on Wednesday and Thursday during Earth Week.

May 6, 2011 —

At the reorganization meeting, the board elected Nancy Opperthauser as Vice President, Wolak and Ira Krauss took an oath of office, and the board approved a number of action items.

May 11, 2011 —

The multi-talented 11-year-old received an Award of Merit from the New Jersey Parent Teacher Association in the Intermediate Division for Musical Composition in 2010-2011 Reflections Competition.

May 14, 2011 —

The elementary school was one of 43 schools, and one district, across the nation to receive this prestigious recognition, which was based on its yearlong Character Education program.

May 21, 2011 —

The New Providence School District raised the most money for the charity, benefiting students in the Middle East, for the third year in a row.

May 27, 2011 —

Students were recognized with Certificates of Excellence, Salt Brook was recognized for its National School of Character selection, and Robert Lucid was honored for nine years of service.

June 11, 2011 —

Hundreds hit the Salt Brook Elementary School playground and blacktop to celebrate the school's winning of the national Character Education award.

June 20, 2011 —

For the first time in its history, launched a Student Council that raised money for charitable organizations and for college scholarships.

June 24, 2011 —

On June 23, 172 seniors graduated from at the 52nd Annual Commencement.

July 19, 2011 —

For the first time since their completed installation two weeks prior, the football field’s new four field lights were turned on, tested for borough ordinance compliance, and approved. About 50 residents — including children, who took advantage of the brightly lit field to play lacrosse and other games — showed up for the testing, where a representative from the city’s engineering department and the lights’ manufacturer, Musco Sports Lighting, checked to ensure the lights did not spill over into neighboring properties more than the ordinance’s approved .1 footcandles (a technical measurement for light projection).

September 7, 2011 —

Students of Allen W. Roberts Elementary School started their first day of the new year on Sept. 6. Sixth Grade Student Ambassadors helped younger children find their way as everyone kicks off P.R.I.D.E. (Putting Respect and Responsibility In Daily Events). Check out our video for interviews with students, parents and Roberts staff members.

September 13, 2011 —

We introduced Zirpoli to the community through this article, highlighting her past experience and enthusiasm to be joining the school district.

September 15, 2011 —

The district had 13 new faculty members this year, working as teachers, guidance counselors and administrators.

September 16, 2011 —

The U.S. Department of Education named as a 2011 National Blue Ribbon School, one of the highest federal achievements a school can receive. The school was one of 14 selected in New Jersey, while 304 schools were selected nationwide, Superintendent Dr. David Miceli said. In fact, New Providence High School was one of only two public high schools in New Jersey to receive the Blue Ribbon Award.

September 20, 2011 —

We introduced John "Jay" Richter to the community through this article, which highlighted Richter's accomplishments and his eagerness to share his knowledge and experience in his own backyard.

October 13, 2011 —

Superintendent of Schools Dr. David Miceli and the district's Anti-Bullying Coordinator and Assistant Superintendent Dr. Deborah Feinberg presented New Jersey's new Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act to 11 members of the community.

November 18, 2011 —

Mrs. Denise Moser, an Applied Practical/Technical Arts teacher at the , challenged her 6^th and 7^th period CAD (Computer Aided Design) students to compete in an International program, which includes an objective of teamwork and innovation in business and technology, and tests work-place readiness.