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New Jersey Association of Partners in Education (NJAPIE) and New Jersey Association of School Administrators (NJASA) are pleased to present the Exemplary Program Award recipients for 2002. They are Franklin Township Public Schools, Somerset County; Waldwick Public Schools; and Washington Township Public Schools, Gloucester County. The district partnership programs and their corporate/community partners recently were recognized at the NJASA/NJSBA Annual Conference. Highlights of the three recipients' programs are featured within the newsletter. To foster partnerships in our state, NJAPIE and NJASA are currently reviewing over 40 submittals to this annual statewide competition for the 2003 School-Community Partnership Programs. Crisis Response Initiative
There is no worse information for a school administrator to receive than learning about student deaths. Making the anguish and pain even more intense is being informed that the young people were killed going to school, at school, or during a school sponsored activity. There is the expectation and belief that school is a safe and secure place. To learn that death and suffering have occurred there, violates our basic trust in the institution itself and causes trauma and trepidation for those who may not even have children in the schools or live in the affected community. The suffering that occurs from unanticipated loss, can trigger an avalanche of anger, guilt, hostility, and myriad other emotions that may exacerbate an already horrific problem. In the small Bergen County Borough of Waldwick, the school district in alliance with the community has developed a crisis response initiative to assist those in need in the aftermath of sudden loss and suffering. On a beautiful autumn Sunday morning in October of 1999, the entire Waldwick community was shocked to learn that the principal of one of its elementary schools had been killed the night before in an automobile accident. Within hours the team was activated. On Monday, the entire crisis response team met at the school. The group focused upon the understanding of how young people process their feelings, the recognition of changes that occur as a result of sudden loss and the management of them, and the direction of students toward healthy ways to cope with the stress of grief, sorrow, and loss. Within hours, an action plan was formulated, roles assigned, and the loss management process begun. Noted authority on grief and recovery, Dr. Sally Downham Miller, stated in her book, Mourning and Dancing for Schools, that Waldwick's Crisis Initiative was a model for others to follow in dealing with the shock of sudden loss. According to Downham, Waldwick provided exemplary leadership in the important areas of education and intervention. There are 19 members who serve on the team consisting of police officers, clergy, social workers, teachers, school administrators, and parent volunteers. Whenever a crisis occurs, members are contacted immediately and remain on duty throughout the crisis as needed. This has resulted in some members being available around the clock for nearly a week at a time. Despite the demands, the team remains calm and professional and never loses sight of its mission. Unfortunately, our loss of 1999 was only a precursor of the tragedies our team encountered in the 2001-2002 school year. The small community of less than 10,000 suffered several unexpected deaths. On the first day of school a beloved staff member at the high school succumbed to the effects of a sudden stroke. One week after that loss came the horrific tragedy of 9/11 where one of our parents who had been active in the community was killed in the World Trade Center attack. In October, another high school staff member succumbed to the ravages of cancer. In each case, the team was dispatched and went into action to deal with the grief, anxiety, and suffering of our educational community. On Friday, January 4, 2002, however, the community was jolted with a loss of horrific proportions. A mother and her two children were walking to the Crescent Elementary School, when a driver lost control of his vehicle, came across a lane of oncoming traffic, drove across the sidewalk, and struck the parent and both children. The first child died within an hour after the accident, the mother that afternoon, and the second child two days later. The team remained active for over a week providing counseling and support services for the entire Waldwick community. In reference to this tragedy, the Reverend Chris Hinnen of the United Methodist Church of Waldwick stated, "Clergy were called to be available to counsel students who came for that purpose. I was not a member of the crisis team at the time, but I was very impressed at how fast their information network sent messages through the school and home to parents...The people on the team do great and sacrificial work." Undoubtedly, the Waldwick Crisis Response Initiative works well. The team provides education, comfort, and direction for those who have encountered grief in some extremely egregious circumstances. Although Waldwick takes great pride in the accomplishments of the team, we all agree that they have had far too much practice. President's Message
Cy Holley, now retired and residing in Texas, was the chief operating officer of Engelhard Corporation and an active volunteer in the not-for-profit world. He was a trustee of Bloomfield College, board chair at the Independent College Fund of New Jersey, and active at his alma mater, Texas A & M University. He founded the New Jersey and Texas chapters, affiliated with NAPE, was a national trustee for NAPE, and was very active in educational reform through America 2000. A dynamic leader, a statesman, a coalition builder, and a consensus manager, Cy is equally at home in the corporate boardroom, the college campus, or the classroom. His leadership focused on involving the business community in education as a priority for the future of our nation and the world. Cy's example was centered around the mentoring and opportunity he received as a young man and the responsibility he felt to provide those opportunities for the generations that followed. His approach to educational enhancement and partnership building was student-centered. Today, the New Jersey Association of Partners in Education promotes the development, growth, and maintenance of partnerships that will improve the quality of New Jersey's schools and the academic and social development of students. All of us are indeed indebted to Cyrus H. Holley for his leadership, foresight and example in bringing us together for such a high purpose as partnering so that students can learn and grow. Thank you, Cy. The P.A.C.E.R. Program Books, bikes, and best friends help promote reading among children at the Pine Grove Manor School. Weekly, Franklin Township Neighborhood Bicycle Police Teams visit the school and share their commitment to reading with over 400 enthusiastic children. The Bicycle Police officers have rapidly become some of the students' best friends "encouraging and complementing them on their reading skills," says Mrs. Bialick, Program Creator and Second Grade teacher. The P.A.C.E.R. Program (Police and Children Engaged in Reading) has capitalized on the very high level of interest that Franklin's Pine Grove Manor students have had for the Bicycle Patrol Officers in their neighborhood. The officers, young men and women keenly interested in community development, are now on a first-name basis with hundreds of young students with whom they share weekly morning readings to one another. Widely endorsed by Police Chief Craig Novick and the Township Council, members of the police department understand the need to develop literacy among all of our community's children. They also appreciate the opportunity to develop positive relationships with the Township's youngest citizens and their families. Many children now see the officers as personal friends to be relied upon in times of need. They are encouraged to view the officers as problem solvers who are there to help them. The program promotes respect for police officers in the community and fosters relationships that last well into young adulthood. Although students at Pine Grove Manor School are quite accustomed to reading to others and being read to by adults, there is always a palpable excitement throughout the school as uniformed police officers enter each classroom. Screeches of delight can be heard from students who have been preparing to read to their police officer friends during the prior week. All of the children now understand that reading is of the highest priority among everyone in the community. The District and members of the Board of Education have praised Mrs. Bialick, whose P.A.C.E.R. program was created and developed in 1997. The program has been recognized and honored by the Franklin Township Council, and the Board of Education. It has received the 1998 National League of Cities Excellence in Community Policing Award for the Franklin Township Police Department. The initiative, which continues to receive new police recruits, has also been awarded with the School Leader Award from the New Jersey School Boards Association and "Excellence in Teaching of Reading Award" from the Central New Jersey Reading Association. The program has also evolved into a mentoring program for the students in the neighborhood surrounding Pine Grove Manor School with success of this program evident in increased interest in reading throughout the school year and during the summer months. Students have shown improvement in their creative writing skills and both students and parents have expressed positive impact of the officers ability to make each child feel important. Partners with a Purpose
Entrepreneurship and School-to-Career Mentoring The Washington Township Chamber of Commerce partners with our high school students enrolled in "Entrepreneurship" classes to help provide them with the workplace knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed to succeed in the ever-changing world of work. This practice provides a direct link between the school and community and consists of a planned program of work experiences with school-based learning. The WTHS Partners with a Purpose Entrepreneurship and School-to-Career Mentoring Program recently received the NJASA and New Jersey Association of Partners Exemplary Program Award for the unique way it combined traditional classroom instruction with on-the-job experience. The WTHS mentoring program has been in place since 1998 and has grown in scope and participation each year. An average of 70 students participate annually in a "School-to-Career" program that provides them with career guidance including an emphasis on workplace needs and employment opportunities. Broad classroom and workplace instruction provides students with exposure to many aspects of a particular industry, thus allowing them to explore career options and create successful post-secondary education plans. After the completion of their school day, students report to their participating business/job site to work with or observe their business mentor for a specified period of time. Their workplace activities vary, but most often include observing the preparation of a special project, as well as observing and/or engaging in a sampling of tasks from different jobs or a task from a single occupation. Each school year, the President of the local Chamber of Commerce visits our high school’s Principles of Entrepreneurship classes, where he provides students with an informational overview. Shortly thereafter, mentors and students attend orientation sessions with the teacher and School-to-Career coordinator to acquaint themselves with the program and to ask questions. In the interim, participating chamber members complete a “mentorship overview form” listing such information as company profile, specific job duties, overview of student responsibilities during the mentorship, their main interest in becoming a mentor, and other experiences working with high school-age students. Similarly, students complete an application listing their experiences and co-curricular or civic interests. The two forms are reviewed by the School-to-Career Coordinator, who plays an integral role in ensuring the program’s success. By serving as liaison between the school and the Chamber of Commerce, the coordinator matches students with the most appropriate workplace mentor. The spirit of this initiative has been expressed by David Maxwell, President of the Washington Township Chamber of Commerce, “We are pleased and privileged to work with the young people of Washington Township High School through the mentoring program. We consider it an important part of the Chamber’s responsibilities and enjoy availing ourselves to the young people and helping them explore career options.” This award-winning program has enabled the school and community to become strong partners in promoting a more rigorous and relevant education. This partnership engenders increased student interest as the students realize that their school and local business leaders are working together. Strong problem-solving, technology skills, and career goals are emphasized, which ultimately result in increased academic and technical achievement and in several cases, a clearer sense of their career interests. Surveys completed by students at the end of the mentorship overwhelmingly indicate that the mentorship opportunities are worthwhile and rewarding.
NEW JERSEY ASSOCIATION OF PARTNERS IN EDUCATION NJAPIE, a not-for-profit organization, represents many schools, businesses, community groups, educators, and individual volunteers who work together as partners to help students achieve educational excellence. It is the state affiliate of the National Association of Partners In Education, Inc. The New Jersey Association of School Administrators (NJASA) provides management services to NJAPIE, which retains its own governing board, bylaws and policies.
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© Copyright 1999-2007, NJAPIE, All rights reserved
The
New Jersey Association of Partners in Education (NJAPIE) is indebted to
Cyrus H. Holley for his foresight and dedication that led to the establishment
of a state affiliate of the National Association of Partners in Education
(NAPE) early in 1991. Some eleven and one half years later, we have a
statewide organization with over 100 members, a governing board that encompasses
business, education, and government; a website (