October 2024 Wrap-Up

Dear WLBSD Families,

I am excited to share our latest newsletter, filled with highlights and accomplishments from October as well as a preview of what's to come. From the official opening of our new BME playground to celebrating the Boys' Soccer Team's championship win, it's clear that this fall has been full of exciting and joyful community moments. As we enter November, we are looking forward to more opportunities to connect with you, including our upcoming conferences on November 13th through the 15th.

As we enter November, I am wishing you and your families a wonderful month to come, and I thank you for your ongoing support and partnership.

Warm regards,

Dr. Christina Egan

Superintendent of Schools

On October 29th, we gathered as a community to officially celebrate the opening of our new BME playground. We're grateful to the students, families, staff members, Board of Education members, and special guests who joined us, including West Long Branch Borough leaders, state legislators, and representatives from Monmouth University and the New Jersey Department of Education. The event was a wonderful reminder of what can be achieved when the community comes together to support our students.

In her remarks, Board President Mrs. Skellinger highlighted the deeper significance of the playground, stating, "A school playground is more than just a place for students to be at recess. It is a place for our young Spartans to grow, learn, and develop important social skills." Her words captured the vision behind the project: to provide a space where students can strengthen their friendships, build confidence, and practice cooperation... all while having fun, of course.

The playground represents our district's commitment to fostering a well-rounded educational experience. We're excited for our students to enjoy this incredible new space for learning and play, and we look forward to seeing it filled with laughter and fun in the years to come!

Congratulations to the Boys' Soccer team for winning the NJCCSL 2024 Championship Game vs. Forrestdale with a final score of 1-0. Another undefeated season in the books!

The West Long Branch Board of Education would like to honor the Boys' Soccer Team at its meeting on the evening of November 26, 2024. Formal invitations to players and their families will be coming soon!

PTA TRUNK OR TREAT!

The PTA Trunk or Treat was fabulous fun, as usual! We had more trunks than ever this year, thanks to the volunteerism and community spirit of families and local organizations and businesses like the WLBPD, WLB FD #1, WLB EMS, Shore Regional Education Association, Gigi's Pizza, Satori Academy of Martial Arts, Clear Blue Pools, and more! Thank you to all of those who volunteered on a beautiful Saturday to give our WLB students such a great time!

If you are interested in joining us next year, there's plenty of space to expand this event! Keep an eye out, and come be part of the fun!

BME HALLOWEEN PARADE

The BME Halloween Parade is one of our favorite traditions, and it's always a blast to see the little ones parading in costume, with FAS students and staff cheering them on. A big thank you to the Shore Regional Band for adding festive music to the occasion!

Annual field trips are already off to a great start, with the first grade students taking a fun trip to Von Thun's Country Farm Market! Looking forward to all the great experiences our students enjoy throughout the school year!

On the evening of October 29, 2024, the Board of Education and community received a presentation of the district's state assessment results from last spring. To view the presentation, please click the image below or visit the district website.

For a summary of the results and insights into performance patterns, please refer to slides 25-30, where Dr. Egan shares key insights. The final slides outline the action steps we are implementing this year to support ongoing growth and improvement.

We are thrilled to announce that we will welcome our new permanent Director of Special Services, Mrs. Natalie Levine, to the West Long Branch School District on December 2, 2024! She will replace Mrs. Olimpio, who has done a truly outstanding job as our Interim Director since March 2024.

Mrs. Levine brings over 23 years of educational experience in New Jersey, including 19 years as a general and special education teacher. Most recently, she has served in an administrative role overseeing building matters, curriculum, and special services Spring Lake Borough. Mrs. Levine is excited to bring her wealth of experience and knowledge to our district, and has already demonstrated her commitment and enthusiasm by attending the WLB SEPAG (Special Education Parent Advisory Group) meeting on October 10th to connect with some of our WLB families.

We look forward to officially welcoming her in December!

For the 2024-2025 school year, the School Counselors have joined the Special Services department. They're preparing for an exciting year focused on keeping BME and FAS joyful, positive places for learning and play. Here are a few highlights!

• Our counselors are exploring ideas for guest speakers to inspire students through assemblies, and have also arranged an upcoming e-bike safety assembly.
• For the Week of Respect, we enjoyed a fantastic spirit week, including a "Chalk the Walk" activity that filled our school ground with positive, uplifting messages.
• This Fall, our counselors are participating in peer mediation training to support students in building essential conflict resolution and peer mediation skills.
• We're also thrilled to introduce a new Leadership Group at FAR - see the details below!

There's so much positive work happening, and we'd love to hear your ideas on how we can keep making our schools fun, positive, and safe spaces for learning! Please reach out to Mrs. Olimpio at solimpio@wlbschools.com through December, and then to Mrs. Levine after that.

As part of our goals around school climate and culture, we are excited to introduce a new opportunity for FAS students to take a leadership role within the school. The Leadership Group will be a student-driven team, with activities planned and led by students, all aimed at fostering a positive and fun school environment.

To kick things off, our school counselors, Mrs. Murphy and Ms. McKenna, visited all classes at FAS to explain this opportunity and spark interest. The students who expressed initial interest have been attending interest meetings, with more yet to come!

As you've likely noticed, electric bikes are becoming increasingly popular and visible in our town, with some of our middle school students riding them to and from school. E-bikes offer a fun and convenient way to get around but also require specific skills and attention to safety.

To help ensure that all of our students travel safely to and from school, and safely through the streets of our town, we're pleased to announce that Sgt. Brennessel from the West Long Branch Police Department visited Frank Antonides School on Monday, November 4th to lead an assembly on e-bike safety, sharing essential tips and advice for safe riding.

November 06 - Teacher/Staff Member of the Year Recommendations Due!

November 07 - SCHOOL CLOSED (NJEA Convention)

November 08 - SCHOOL CLOSED (NJEA Convention)

November 11 - Veterans' Day (Wear Red White and Blue)

November 13 - EARLY DISMISSAL (Evening Conferences)

November 14 - EARLY DISMISSAL (Evening Conferences)

November 15 - EARLY DISMISSAL (Afternoon Conferences)

November 15 - WLB Lantern Walk

November 26 - Board of Education Meeting

November 27 - EARLY DISMISSAL (Thanksgiving)

November 28 - SCHOOLS CLOSED (Happy Thanksgiving!)

November 29 - SCHOOLS CLOSED