Students & Staff of Month Mar 2024

Each month, Manville School District staff recognizes outstanding performance by students and staff in each building. Enthusiasm, determination, work ethic and benevolence are taken into consideration. Those who exemplify these qualities are awarded for their efforts with Student or Staff of the Month. Every month, these individuals are recognized at our board meetings. Please join our community in congratulating our wonderful Students & Staff of the Month for the month of March!

Elias was selected because he is kind to his friends and is a great helper.

3 Fun Facts about Elias:

1. Elias loves books.

2. Elias loves to sing.

3. Elias has a lot of fun playing tag at recess.

My Favorite thing about my school is… Reading books!

Leah was selected as March’s Student of the Month because of her perseverance. She loves schools and puts in a great effort into her classwork. She makes certain that her work is neat and colorful. She is kind to her friends and participates in class activities and school events.

3 Fun Facts about Leah:

1. She is artistic

2. She has a pet squirrel

3. She knows sign language

My Favorite thing about my school is… math!

Paisley demonstrates perseverance in the classroom each day. She strives to do her best and can always be found putting forth effort. This positive attitude has led to a tremendous amount of success in all areas this school year. Paisley is a wonderful role model for all of her classmates.

3 Fun Facts about Paisley:

1. Paisley’s favorite book character is Junie B. Jones.

2. Paisley is a big fan of Taylor Swift.

3. She loves her tap class.

My Favorite thing about my school is…reading books during center time.

Joel is hands down one of the kindest and most positive students his teachers have had the pleasure of working with. He is always in a good mood and spreads that positive attitude to those around him. This year has also been one of tremendous academic growth for Joel due to his attitude and efforts. He always tries his very best, never gives up, or even shows a hint of frustration. We can all learn a lot from Joel’s positive disposition and persistence.

3 Fun Facts about Joel:

1. He always tries to challenge himself.

2. He tells the best stories.

3. He loves playing with all of his friends at recess.

My Favorite thing about my school is… doing Math and Science.

Amy Ohlson is enjoying her 9th year as the Elementary art educator here in Manville, where she continues to inspire young artists to explore their creativity through various mediums and techniques. With a passion for fostering artistic expression, Amy believes in the power of art to ignite imagination and enrich the lives of her students. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts Education and actively participates in professional development workshops to stay abreast of the latest trends in art education. Amy is dedicated to cultivating a supportive and inclusive learning environment where every student feels empowered to unleash their inner artist. Beyond the classroom, she enjoys collaborating with fellow educators to integrate art across the curriculum and organize community art events that showcase her students' talents.

Notable Accomplishments:

Amy Ohlson is a founding member and current Vice President of the Manville Arts Council, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and sharing the arts in Manville. As Vice President, Amy plays a pivotal role in organizing community art initiatives, collaborating with local artists and organizations, and advocating for the importance of arts education in the community.

Building: Weston School
Position: K-4 Art Teacher
Years in District: 9

John always works hard, follows directions, and is helpful in class. He is a focused worker, is kind to others, works well with those around him, and is always enthusiastic about learning and being creative. Johnny is a great example to other students (and has been all year long). He always comes to school with a positive attitude and can be trusted to do the right thing. He really does his best to make sure he is being a role model for others. Johnny is a great student and exemplifies the Roosevelt Road!

3 Fun Facts about John:

1. My favorite sport is baseball

2. I love to eat pizza

3. I am half-Polish!

My Favorite thing about my school is… having friends and learning new things! I love that I get to see my friends every day and learn new math problems with Mrs. Nolan and Ms. Petersen!

Emmalyn follows the Roosevelt way and is very respectful to her peers. She drives herself to do her best and help others when they need help! She always tries her best and is very well-behaved. She is such a positive student and role model in the class and has grown so much during the school year. She tries her best to include all in every activity she is in. She stands up for what is right with the Roosevelt Road!

3 Fun Facts about Emmalynn:

1. I am silly, fun, and helpful

2. I like to enjoy time with my sister and friends

3. I love to play baseball!

My Favorite thing about my school is that… I have a lot of nice teachers. It is nice coming to school and seeing all my friends and classmates!

Mrs Collymore has been working in the Manville School District since September 2017. Since joining the Manville community she has been a 4th-grade teacher and spent one year as the K-4 STEM teacher. She is an excellent educator, who is dedicated to her students both in the classroom and beyond! She instills a passion for learning new things, persevering through challenges, and celebrating both the little and big wins! She is a supportive colleague and team player!

When she is not teaching, you can find her spending time at home with her family down the shore, working at Lakeview Day Camp over the summer as a division leader, reading some books, or traveling!

Notable Accomplishments

Staff Member of the March 2024

She is the advisor for Roosevelt's Coding Club, Girls Running Club and more recently the co-advisor for Gifted and Talented at Roosevelt.

Position: 4th Grade Teacher
Years in District: 7

Leo works extremely hard in class and participates constantly. He is an extremely kind student, who engages with teachers and other students in a respectful manner. He also adds a ton of insight to classroom discussions by mentioning topics that he learns outside of class, which enriches classroom discussion.

3 Fun Facts about Leo:

1. I really love swimming.

2. I learned to ride a bike without training wheels at 4 years old.

3. I do not like tomatoes.

My Favorite thing about my school is... the football field! I love all the space to run around and play.

Daniella is an active participant in all of her classes, frequently raising her hand and positively contributing to the classroom environment. She is always respectful toward her teachers and gets along well with other students. In both the first and second marking periods this school year, Daniella received stellar grades and she continues to excel in her academics. The 6th grade teachers are all proud of Daniella and how hard she has been working this school year.

3 Fun Facts about Daniella:

1. I love learning new languages and I am currently learning Japanese.

2. I play the Alto and Baritone Saxophone.

3. I love learning and participating in sports.

My Favorite thing about my school... is learning math and I am focused on entering 8th grade Algebra. I love science and math. I also enjoy Track and Field.

Serena is an awesome student. She actively participates in class, takes on a leadership role when it comes to group work and always has a positive attitude. She frequently contributes to positive behaviors in class. Serena has maintained a strong A average. She is a very bright student and her work speaks for itself. She has maintained positive friendships and is a positive role model in class.

3 Fun Facts about Serena:

1. I like to play soccer.

2. I like to listen to music.

3. I like watching sunsets.

My Favorite thing about my school is... getting to see my friends.

Jonathan is a fantastic student and wonderful well rounded young man. In addition to participating on the ABIS track team, Jon is outstanding at completing assignments independently, as well as being a vocal leader during group activities. He is kind, endearing and willing to help others who are in need.

3 Fun Facts about Jonathan:

1. I was a part of the 1st ABIS Cross Country Team.

2. I have been running for 5 seasons.

3. I am a part of Manville BSA Troop 193.

My Favorite thing about my school is... all the extra curricular activities and the elective classes, especially guitar.

Ms. Eckert first discovered her love of teaching in high school as the color guard captain of North Warren’s marching band. She loved teaching her peers flag work and choreography, so she decided to make teaching her career. Ms. Eckert attended Montclair State University where she combined her love of teaching with her love of reading. Ms. Eckert worked as a 6th grade teacher at Central Middle School in Long Hill, NJ for 4 years. In 2018, Ms. Eckert started working as the color guard instructor for the Manville High School marching band, which led to her joining the Manville family as a 6th grade Communications teacher in 2020. Now you can find her on the field with the marching band, or backstage with the drama department, making the costumes and helping the stage crew with scene changes.

Notable Accomplishments

This teacher goes above and beyond to support and elevate the students at ABIS. She holds students accountable with compassion and strives for her students to do the best work possible. Along with her "gamified classroom," her classes are fun and engaging so that every student can learn to the best of their ability. She also treats her coworkers with the same compassion as her students. She can bring a smile to anyone's face and brighten their day. Not only does she go above and beyond to ensure her students' success and assist her colleagues, but she is involved in many different clubs and attends outside-of-school events to support the students. This includes her work behind the scenes with musical productions, marching band, and color guard. Ms. Eckert stands out as a remarkable member of our ABIS family.

Position: Teacher
Years in District: 4

Kasey is a student who excels daily, not only academically but also as a student leader. Kasey is always willing to go the extra mile and help anyone and everyone whenever it is needed.

3 Fun Facts about Kasey:

1. I’ve been playing the flute for ten years.

2. My favorite color is forest green.

3. I am the oldest sibling of three.

My Favorite thing about my school is… the teachers. All the teachers have been very supportive and welcoming, they are also very understanding and I look up to them!

Professor Ceo exemplifies what it means to be a Manville Mustang. He is extremely hardworking inside and out of the classroom. HIs awards on the field are almost too long to list. After only high jumping for one season, he began the winter with a bang clearing 6-4 and placing 2nd at the prestigious Coaches Hall of Fame Invitational at the Armory. He then went on to clear 6-6 and again took 2nd at the Group 1 Championship and qualified for the Meet of Champions. He finished with a top 10 height in the entire state for the indoor season. His performance qualified him for the Penn Relays, a first for Manville High School. At the relays he will compete against some of the top jumpers in the country. The achievements will keep coming for Professor as he continues to work hard and excel.

3 Fun Facts about Professor Ceo:

1. I like to go on nature walks.

2. I love track.

3. I’m a food enthusiast.

My Favorite thing about my school is… that we have such a small close community.

Christopher Del Prete, now in his second year at Manville High School, seamlessly blends academic acumen with real-world expertise. A graduate of Kean University, Mr. Del Prete's journey began in the dynamic field of video production, where he gained valuable experience through diverse roles.

At MHS, Mr. Del Prete has become instrumental in the growth of the digital photography and video production programs. His innovative approach has not only boosted student enrollment but also introduced advanced Video Production courses, offering students unparalleled avenues for creative expression and technical mastery.

Beyond the classroom, Mr. Del Prete champions student engagement. Initiatives like establishing the "Mreels" YouTube channel and fostering increased student involvement in media events have elevated the visibility of MHS students. His efforts have transformed MHS into a hub of creativity and innovation, showcasing the diverse talents of its student body.

Mr. Del Prete's commitment extends to nurturing the next generation of media professionals, equipping them with the skills to thrive in the digital landscape. With his passion and dedication, he exemplifies educational leadership, inspiring both students and colleagues. His ongoing pursuit of excellence continues to shape the MHS community and the future of media education.

Position: Visual Arts Teacher
Years in District: 2

Damian has been the Supervisor of Humanities and ESL in the Manville School District for the past two and a half years. Prior to that, he taught High School English in the Piscataway School District. Mr. Storey has a BA in English Literature from St. Michael’s College and a MA in Educational Leadership from Rowan University.

Damian is the father of two children - Harper and Luke. His wife, Jessica, is the school nurse at Weston. Their family is made complete by their dog Maui and cat Andy. Damian loves books, movies and music. He has a quote for nearly everything.

Damian is invested in the success of students and teachers. He strives to make connections and build authentic relationships. He is extremely knowledgeable in the content areas that he supervises and continues to learn and grow every day.

Building: District
Position: Supervisor of Humanities and ESL
Years in District: 2