Announcements and Upcoming Events

Kingsway Community Connection Meeting Notes for September 26, 2011

Thank you to the following people who attended this meeting: Dr. Jim Lavender, Andria Burton, Ethel Martell, Dawn Marchetti, Jean Hill, Tiana Bullock, Ann DiGiacomo, Andrea Sprague, Jamie Piper, Chet Randall and Terri Catalano.

Dr. Lavender gave a brief bond referendum update. Thank you to all the voters for your support of this essential building project! Dr. Lavender also gave an update on the Community Recreation Programs at Kingsway and plans to expand the summer program next year to include academic camps; he also introduced the group to the Kingsway Education Foundation’s mission and goals.

Since the Kingsway Community Connection was initially established to increase communication in the district, and given that communication has significantly improved through the use of global connect, Kingsway email notifications, and the improved website, it was decided by the group in attendance to dissolve the Kingsway Community Connection and merge our efforts with the Kingsway Education Foundation. We will still work to engage all members of the Kingsway community by continuing to offer the Halloween Story Hour, the Senior Citizens’ Harvest Gala and Dragon Night under the umbrella of the newly formed non-profit organization.

Parents in the district are encouraging student engagement, and since there is an 8th grade community service incentive, and high school community service requirements for Interact, National Honor Society and other groups, it is hoped that students and parents become involved with the Kingsway Education Foundation. The Halloween Story Hour for children 8 years old and under will be held on Wednesday, October 26th from 6:30-7:30 pm in the Middle School Media Center (see attached flyer). The Holiday Craft Fair will be Saturday, November 5th from 9:00 am- 3:00 pm in the High School. The Senior Citizens’ Harvest Gala is scheduled for Tuesday, November 15th from 3:00- 5:00 pm. Requests will soon be sent for donations of food, drinks, paper products and door prizes. We also ask that you print the attached flyer and post it in different locations in your districts. On December 14th from 5:30- 7:30 pm, Holiday Pictures with Santa will be offered in the High School Media Center.

In January, there will be a Martin Luther King Basketball Tournament at Kingsway for area high schools. This is just the beginning of what the Kingsway Education Foundation is planning for Kingsway’s future. Please get involved!

Andrea Sprague and Andria Burton informed the group about the Exxon Mobile Science Ambassadors and the Women in Engineering Programs at Kingsway. Ann DiGiacomo donated Vera Bradley bags to be raffled off at the Craft Fair. TD Bank offering a percentage of client balances as donations, Lowes Grants, Target Shoppers’ Program and mini grants, Wawa contribution programs, and Just One for the Kids Program (faculty contributions to the KEF) were also discussed. Jamie also suggested that “Project Graduation” may be something to consider for the future. If you would like to get involved with the Kingsway Education Foundation, please contact Terri Catalano, terricatalano@comcast.net or Dr. Jim Lavender, lavenderj@kingsway.k12.nj.us. Thank you for your support!