Highlights since our last board meeting:

·      A Special Education student attending Indian Hill School as a sixth grader was invited, along with his teacher, Elizabeth Kenny-Foggin and his parents, to participate in a statewide inclusion conference held on May 31, 2009 in Jersey City regarding Assistive Technology and how it has supported him in his general education classrooms. He provided the group with a PowerPoint presentation regarding the assistive technology he has been using. He impressed the entire audience with not only his knowledge and familiarity of the assistive technology he uses, but also with his ability to answer questions that were presented to him.

Word of his performance reached Dr. Roberta Wohle, in charge of New Jersey’s Office of Special Education Programs. She has invited him to repeat his presentation at the State’s Special Education Advisory Council Conference, which will be held on June 11, 2009. He, accompanied by his teacher and his parents, will receive a plaque acknowledging his participation in this conference. Obviously, everyone is proud of him and the amazing progress he has made at Indian Hill.
 

·      Susan Alston reports that the district will receive $827.00 from the Barnes & Noble bookfair fundraiser. Sales that day totaled $5,514.75.
 

·      The Congressional Award presentation was held on Sunday, June 7 at the Holmdel Senior Center. Board Vice President Barbara Garrity had the honor of introducing U.S. Representative Rush Holt who presented Congressional Medals to area students. Nine of the 14 medals presented were to Holmdel students. The Congressional Award Program challenges students in voluntary public service, personal development, physical fitness, and expedition/exploration. The recipients must achieve a minimum of 200 hours over 7 months to obtain a bronze medal; 400 hours over 12 months to obtain a silver medal, and 800 hours over 24 months to obtain a gold medal.
 

·      I received a very nice letter from the Superintendent of the Linden Public Schools praising seventeen of our students who participated in the Linden Public Schools “China Night” on May 29^th. Our students gave their own time to partner with the Linden students to put on a program celebrating the Chinese language and culture. It was a wonderful program that was covered by the local media and performed to a packed auditorium.