Schools

New Teachers Enthusiastic and Excited in the Rumson School District

Notes from the Rumson School District Board of Education regular meeting on Wednesday, September 21, 2011.

The principals of the Rumson School District introduced new members of their staff at the board of education meeting Wednesday night.

“The beginning of the school year is an exciting time,” said Bert Ammerman, the interim superintendent. “I’ve had the opportunity to see the new teachers in action and I believe it is important for the board to get to know them at this time as well.”

Ricard Karas, the principal of the , introduced his new teachers first. He described his staff as “enthusiastic” and “excited to be a part of the school”.

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Karas introduced new teachers Melissa Conni, the P.M. Pre-Kindergarten teacher, Stephanie Doeler, the A.M. Pre-Kindergarten teacher, Kerry Kennedy, Kindergarten teacher, and Jessica Piernik, the new school councilor.

Over at the , there are more than 4 new faces in the hallways. Principal Gibbons introduced Kristen McQue, the 8th Grade maternity replacement, Stephanie Doehler, who is also filling in for a maternity leave, Andrea Garcia, the new 7th grade Language Arts teacher, and Barb Leutz, the 6-8th grade music teacher.

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In adition to new teachers, Debbie Klein is a new special education specialist, Karen Frumen is the special education director and Chris Landwehrle is the curriculum supervisor for the district.

The board took a 5-minute intermission during the meeting to meet the new staff.

Here are notes on other items discussed at the regular meeting on September 22 in the Forrestdale Library:

- Superintendent Ammerman gave a Harassment, Intimidation, Bullying (HIB) report for the month of September. There were 10 HIB cases reported, 6 were investigated and 3 were substantiated. All 3 that were determined to be an HIB case occurred on the school bus.

Ammerman explained that keeping HIB records will allow the district to determine any patterns or problems that need to be addressed.

- Ammerman expressed appreciation and acknowledgement for the district’s 9/11 activities including the lesson plan, speakers and service project. The students were taken to the memorial sites to do a “clean-up” on the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks.

- The October board of education meeting has been changed to start directly following the board review. The review is set to start at 5:30 p.m. on October 19.

- Lisa James, a representative from the Rumson Parent Teacher Organization (PTO), spoke about their plan to join forces with other PTOs from Holy Cross, Rumson Country Day School and Fair Haven School District to “bring character developing workshops” to local 6, 7 and 8th grade students. “Our first meeting was phenomenal,” said James. 

James said the PTOs also hope to work together on developing a service program that will allow 8th grade students from all four schools to get to know each other prior to attending Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School together.


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