Days of Appreciation - One of the key foundations to America’s greatness is its public schools.  Allowing students access to a free and public education sets America apart from many other countries and gives all children the opportunity to succeed. The success of this education system is seen during the months of May and June.  The schools recognize student achievements of the past year, inductions into the honor societies are conducted with reverence, concerts showcase the results of many hours of practice, playoffs highlight the best teams on the athletic fields, and promotion and graduation ceremonies indicate the children completed the requirements asked of them and are ready to move on to the next level of life. 

Dr. Karen Cortellino was elected as president of the New Jersey School Boards Association - Cortellino has been a member of the Montville Township Board of Education since 2006, serving as its president from 2010 – 2016. She has also served on every standing board committee, as well as various ad hoc committees. Cortellino served as the vice president for legislation/resolutions for NJSBA for four years, 2019 – 2023. She also served as an NJSBA board of directors member, as president of the Morris County School Boards Association, and was a member of the MCSBA Legislative Committee. She has earned the designations of Certified Board Member, Master Board Member and Certified Board Leader through the NJSBA Board Member Academy and is the first recipient of the Irene LeFebvre Excellence in Boardsmanship Award, as presented by the Morris County School Boards Association, in June 2022.

Sounds of Silence - When driving down the road the other day, I saw a mother and daughter in a car approaching in the oncoming traffic lane.  I saw the teenage daughter smiling ear to ear as she was waving her hands and animatedly telling a story she was so excited to share.  The mother, who was driving the car, had a smirk on her face as she kept her eyes on the road and listened intently.  While I can only guess that there was music on in the car, I could see that neither was on their cell phone and they were conducting an age-old ritual called verbal communication. I could not hear what was being exchanged between the two of them, but I could tell it was one of those pleasant moments shared between a mother and a daughter...

If No Further Emergency School Days are Used, the District Will Be Closed on Friday, April 21 and Tuesday, May 30, 2023 - For 2022-2023 the District has five emergency school closing days built into the school calendar. When three or fewer of the days are not used, they are returned to the community. Therefore, if no further emergency school days are used, the District will be closed on Friday, April 21 and Tuesday, May 30, 2023. If, for any reason, the District needs to close prior to the use of these days, then the schools will be open on the above mentioned day(s) as necessary. Enjoy the “giveback days.”

A Letter to the community from Superintendent Dr. Thomas A. Gorman, March 24, 2023

Elementary Enrollment Reflects Community Growth - Montville Township Public Schools are highly desirable due to outstanding results including high test scores, a near-perfect high school graduation rate, 94% of students attending college, and consistently impressive ratings and rankings by various agencies. While much of this enrollment is attributed to increased birth rates, the recent demographic study also outlines additional growth from more people moving into town with families. Overall, growth will continue to challenge class sizes at the elementary level. At the May 9, 2023, Montville Township Board of Education Meeting, the Board viewed a Referendum Proposal Presentation, which was followed by a Financial Presentation. As mentioned in earlier letters this year, district enrollment currently exceeds capacity at the elementary school level. Elementary enrollment for fall 2023 is projected to exceed capacity by 149 students and will continue to grow.

Artificial Intelligence - Superintendent's Column March 2023 - Once again, education finds itself on the edge of a new frontier with the announcement of ChatGPT artificial intelligence and similar type products just a few months ago. This new technology can compose music, detect cancer images, and write student essays. While still in its infancy, artificial intelligence will only improve in its accuracy and ability to assist mankind. It is not perfect but it is becoming unexpectedly human...

Lazar Middle School Production Features 70 Song and Dance Performers - Robert R. Lazar Middle School will present the Broadway Junior production of Meredith Willson’s THE MUSIC MAN, JR. on March 23 and 24 at 7:00 p.m. at the Montville Township High School Auditorium, at 100 Horseneck Road in Montville.  Tickets are $10 and may be purchased online at https://lazarms.seatyourself.biz. Cash tickets will also be available at the door on show nights. Lazar students may also purchase tickets using cash or check at lunch times. 

The 7^th Grade Students are the Only New Jersey Delegates to the Museum’s Student Advisory Board - Jackson Greeley and Zaara Mehta have been selected to serve on the American Writers Museum Student Advisory Board. The young authors, are the only New Jersey delegates on the Chicago-based museum’s Student Advisory Board. One of the goals of the American Writers Museum Student Advisory Board is to help the museum reach beyond Chicago by offering opportunities and programs to students throughout the United States. Co-Advisors to Student Council Danielle Vytell-Mitschele and Gabe Rios nominated Jackson Greeley and Zaara Mehta to serve on the American Writers Museum Student Advisory Board

Fast-Paced Family Fun - See the dazzling MTHS Spring Musical at MTHS. JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT features MTHS performers and students who auditioned from Lazar, Cedar Hill, Valley View and William Mason. Performances are Thursday, Friday and Saturday, March 2, 3, and 4, 2023, at 7:30 p.m. A Sunday, March 5, matinee will be also performed at 2:00 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at-the-door or in advance at: http://mthsnj.booktix.com/

Dreams - Superintendent's Column February 2023 - As children, we all have wonderful dreams about what it will be like in the future for ourselves and the world. Many dream big, while others may have smaller ideas, but all children envision a future that is bright, bold, and better than what we know. As we grow older, some dreams change, and some may even fade away, but the idea of how things could be may still smolder inside all of us... See More

An experienced BOE member, Cortellino has been a dedicated and active BOE member at the local, county, and state level since winning a seat on the Montville Township Board of Education in 2007 - Cortellino was chosen from two candidates who applied for the 2023-2025 NJSBA President position. An active member of the Montville Township Board Education, Cortellino as served as a member at large, President, and Vice President in Montville Township. Simultaneously she has also held leadership roles in the Morris County Schools Boards Association and the NJSBA.

District's Middle School Media Center Offers Six Table Tastings of Delightful Delicacies from Mystery to History - “Would you like more than a sip of this book?” is an important question at the Robert R. Lazar Middle School STARBOOKS Café BOOKtasting. Claudia Heim is the School Librarian at Lazar in Montville Township, New Jersey. To inspire students to explore reading, and to offer them a broader perspective on authors and genres, Heim annually holds a BOOKtasting at her STARBOOKS Café. Appointed with tables adorned in red and white checked tablecloths, the Lazar STARBOOKS Café boasts a diverse variety of table tastings of books from mystery to history. Each of the middle school’s 726 students, in grades six through eight, attends the STARBOOKS Café during their regularly scheduled English Language Arts [ELA] class. “I wanted to open the students up to genres that they never before would have thought that they would like,” Heim explained when asked how she developed the STARBOOKS Café BOOKtasting activity.

The Singers Will Present Their Award-Winning Performance at MTHS on Thursday, February 16. They Topped 25 Other Schools in the New Jersey Chinese Teachers Association Competition - Yoo Jin Kang and Nicole Nieradka competed in the New Jersey Chinese Teachers Association [NJCTA] singing contest and received a 2^nd Place Award for Outstanding Achievement. Kang and Nieradka competed against 25 other NJ schools to earn this top standing. On Thursday, February 16, 2023, Kang and Nieradka will perform their “Plum Blossom” poem singing at the MTHS Chinese Honor Society’s Annual Chinese New Year Showcase. The vibrant and colorful Annual Lunar New Year event is a delicious and entertaining evening. All Montville Township families and residents are invited to attend. This February, the 2023 showcase will celebrate the Year of the Rabbit and will feature many live performances. In addition to Kang and Nieradka’s “Plum Blossom” poem singing, members of the MTHS Chinese Honor Society will perform fan and ribbon dances, a dragon dance, lead Kung Fu activities, and host calligraphy and cuisine demonstrations.  

Montville Township Public Schools Counseling offers Parents and Students in Grades 4 through 12 Tools to Assist in Navigating Social Media - Sergeant Tom Rich, will present “Always Connected” to Parents and Guardians on Tuesday, January 24 at 7:00 PM at the Montville Township High School auditorium. This social media safety event contains important information regarding the value of social media as well as the dangers. “This is a really important presentation, said senior Jessica Burns, following the 8:15 a.m. “Always Connected” presentation at MTHS. “It’s very informative, and so important. People need to know that what they do on-line follows them forever.”

Teachers of the Year, Educational Services Professionals of the Year and Princeton University Distinguished Secondary School Teacher Award Recipient Honored - The Montville BOE recognized 15 outstanding educators of the year on 1/17/23. Many have taught in the MTPS district for over 20 years. Principals from each of the district’s schools introduced the honorees to the BOE and members of the public. Superintendent Dr. Thomas A. Gorman presented each honoree with a certificate. “This is a special time of year,” Gorman said. “It is joyful to recognize our outstanding educators. These dedicated individuals are creative and passionate about education, and we are excited to thank them for their commitment to the students and the district.” WATCH VIDEO OF CEREMONY on Montville Township Public Schools YouTube Channel.

Resolutions -  Each New Year’s Eve is an opportunity to make New Year Resolutions. This clear demarcation to make the next year better than the last is filled with optimism and hope. Creating SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, timely) goals is one way to accomplish what one sets out to achieve. SMART goals break down the complexity of an audacious goal into small manageable chunks that can be more easily accomplished. The new year gives us all a chance to reflect upon the past several months and think about where we would like to go. We are halfway through the school year and by now students are able to measure their progress since the first day of school.

Board of Education Also Swears in Newly Elected Board Members - At the, January 3, 2023, Montville Township Board of Education Reorganization Meeting, BOE Members Michelle Zuckerman and Dr. David Modrak were elected into leadership roles by the Members of the BOE.  Zuckerman and Modrak will respectively serve as the 2023 Montville Township BOE Vice President and President. Incumbent BOE Member Christine Fano and new BOE Member John Petrozzino were sworn in at the January 3, 2023, Montville Township Board of Education Reorganization Meeting. Incumbent Michael Rappaport, who also won reelection in the November 2022 election, was unable to attend the January 3 meeting. He will be sworn in at his earliest convenience at the Montville Township Public Schools District Offices.

December Initiative Raised Over $4000 and Delivered 5 Vans Filled with Items - Lazar Student Council students helped to fill holiday wishes for over 280 children and 7 families this past holiday season. They set a goal for $883 in gift cards. Surpassing their goal, they collected more than $4,000 in gift cards. They used the cards to purchase, wrap and deliver wish list gifts for New Jersey Division of Child Protection and Permanency [DCPP] families and children in foster care, as well as Montville community families, and the St. Peter’s Orphanage for boys in Denville. Item such as coats, boots, car seats, helmets, gifts, and more were purchased with the gift cards.

First Place Winners at Both Levels Will Now Compete on the District Level - Lahari Thata, of Lazar, received 1st Place in the Patriot’s Pen competition. This year’s theme was “My Pledge to Our Veterans.” Following the presentation of a certificate and cash prize, Thata was invited to read her winning essay for the Montville Township Board of Education and the community at large. Additionally, Aarav Mulinti, a junior, received the first place award in the Voice of Democracy competition. Mulinti received second place last year in the same completion. Click here for video

Why Not? - The world’s population surpassed eight billion people last month. This milestone is an incredible number and must give us pause to think about the effect of so many people living together on this planet. In the past 100 years, we have made great strides in technology, science, and health care. These advancements have enabled people to live longer and healthier lives. We have explored the depths of the oceans as well as traveled deep into space. Each new discovery aids in our understanding of what it means to be human and what roles we play in this universe. George Bernard Shaw once wrote, "Some people see things as they are and say why? I dream things that never were and say, why not?" Curiosity is one of the highest aspects that leads to discovery. The questions of why or why not may be three of the most important words uttered. And these questions are spoken by curious people like our students.

Thursday, December 15, 2022, at 7:00 PM - Therapist and Certified Positive Psychology Coach Diane Lang will discuss how to raise children to be optimistic and resilient, what types of environments nurture children toward a positive lifestyle, and how to become the role model your children want to follow. A virtual program for K-12 parents and guardians. Join us on Zoom at 7:00 PM: www.montville.net/parentprogram

Set in the Dust Bowl of America, THE STORM IN THE BARN is a Mystery that Explores How the Smallest Among Us Can Save the World - An historical drama/mystery set in 1937 Kansas, THE STORM IN THE BARN, is the story of 11-year-old Jack Clark who faces many challenges.Adapted by Tony- and Pulitzer-nominated playwright Eric Coble, from the graphic novel by New York Times best-selling author Matt Phelan, THE STORM IN THE BARN is a uniquely American fable that uses haunting music and startling imagery to ask: When everyone says you’re too small to be the hero of any story, where do you find the strength to save your family … and the world? The drama club of Robert R. Lazar Middle School is producing THE STORM IN THE BARN. Performances are scheduled for 7:00 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, December 8 and 9, 2022, in the Lazar gymnasium/auditorium. Tickets are $12. Note: The performance on Friday, December 9 is FREE to 8th graders with their Student ID.

Key Club Organizes Most Successful Drive With Students, Faculty, Schools, Community and Others Supplying Donations to Montville Township Kiwanis Food Pantry - Nearly 2,600 food items were donated to the Montville Township High School Key Club the Montville Township Kiwanis Club Food Pantry. The 200-member MTHS Key Club the community to participate in its most successful food drive ever. Forty local families received two bags filled with food, two ShopRite gift cards, and personalized greeting cards.

A Bright Future - I recently visited a “swearing-in ceremony” of the Woodmont Elementary School 5th grade student safety patrol volunteers by the Morris County Sheriff. Prior to the ceremony, I asked the students what they wanted to be when they grow up. Four young women said they wanted to be scientists, several students expressed interest in working with animals, some of the children told me they would become a doctor, and one young man, with full conviction, shared his desire to interpret satellite images. In this brief moment of interacting with these students, they enthusiastically shot their hands in the air to be picked to share their future endeavors. When called upon, they smiled brightly and proudly shared their dreams. They spoke to me with confidence and joy.

Supervisor of World Languages and ESL, Tamar Spitzer, has secured a $10,000 grant from CIEE to start a Council for International Education Exchange program at Montville Township High School - All high school students in grades 9-12 are eligible to apply. With the grant, the first 10 applicants will receive $1,000 off the cost of the program. Every summer CIEE offers scholarship to students who qualify for both merit and financial need scholarships. CIEE offers four week-long World Language programs (French, Spanish, Italian, Mandarin, German, Arabic and Japanese), where students can receive 4 college credits through Tulane University. Additionally, they offer programs in Science, International Relations, Arts, Business and Leadership (students can receive 12-50 service hours).

Respect is fragile and not easily come by. As we too often see in the news, respect is rare - The basic human right of respect was penned by Thomas Jefferson 246 years ago in the Declaration of Independence when he wrote, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”  Understanding that we all are entitled to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness means that we all have the same equality to these rights as our neighbor or classmate. These rights are further elevated by the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights...

MTHS senior Mirella Richard recently received The Gold Congressional Award for Voluntary Service - The medal is the United States Congress' highest honor for young Americans. A senior at MTHS, she completed 400 hours of Voluntary Public Service, 200 hours of Personal Development, 200 hours of Physical Fitness, and 4 nights/5 days of Expedition/Exploration to achieve the Congressional Gold Medal. This is in addition to the volunteer work she completed throughout the pandemic to achieve the Congressional Bronze and Silver. Richard is a member of the MTHS Class of 2023. In the final leg of her journey in pursuit of her Gold Medal, Richard volunteered at Mt. Pleasant Animal Shelter in East Hanover, Homeless Solutions in Morristown, and Arts High School in Newark (as part of NJSO Youth Orchestras).

Cedar Hill, William Mason and Woodmont Elementary Schools all have the same architectural plan. In all cases the gym windows are very energy inefficient, and the external metal work, that encloses the gym, is beginning to deteriorate. Plans to replace the windows, and enclose the metal work in watertight resurfacing, are underway. These renovation projects are three of the many construction initiatives moving forward throughout the district. New entryways are nearly finalized at Lazar and Valley View. Renovated parking lots were installed at Hilldale and Valley View. Valley View’s aging unit ventilators are being replaced. And the MTHS state-of-the-art track and field is complete.

Superintendent's Column - September 30, 2022 - The First 100 Days - Excitement and pride are at the foundation of our success. With all of us -- BOE Trustees, faculty and staff, students and families, and the community -- working together to build on that foundation, we will help every student reach their fullest potential in a learning environment of the highest quality. 

Ali Giordano is one of only six students in the United States, grades 3 through 12, to have been awarded The John Estey Student Writing Competition Award presented by the American Writers Museum - Giordano wrote the poem while an 8th grade student in Suezette Given's ELA class. The poem will be tied to AWM's upcoming exhibit Dark Testament, which opens September 22. Entitled Where I’m From, Giordano's award winning work was inspired by the following quote by James Baldwin: “The place in which I’ll fit will not exist until I make it.”

39 Teachers Were Recognized for a Collective 795 Years of Dedication to Education - Music teacher, Janice Scharf, was presented with a pin of recognition for her 35 Years of Service to the Montville Township Public Schools. Scharf was one of 39 teachers recognized for their years of service on Thursday, September 1, 2022. Combined, the 39 dedicated faculty and staff members have logged 795 Years of Service to the Montville Township Public Schools. Years of Service pins were presented to those who have 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35 Years of Service.

Collaborative Solar Project to Save District Nearly $1Million Over 15 Years - Montville Township Public Schools and Solar Landscape launched a collaboration last year to harness solar energy through solar panels placed on 6 of the district’s schools. Business Administrator Katine Slunt and 5th grade student Shanvi Mahida, of Woodmont Elementary School, are featured the new video. The solar project was made possible through a 15-year solar power purchase agreement which enabled the school district to install the panels at no cost and purchase the electricity they generate at guaranteed discounts every month. The district’s utility cost savings are expected to be nearly $1 million over the term of the agreement. Additionally the installation reduced carbon dioxide emissions.

In his September 1, 2022, letter to parents and guardians, Superintendent  Dr. Thomas A. Gorman shared information regarding the relaxing of Covid-19 protocols, an introduction to Chartwells, the new lunch service provider at Lazar and MTHS, and an update on the facilities improvements that have taken place throughout the district during the summer of 2022.

Twenty-seven New Staff Prepare for 2022-2023 Academic Year - “New Teacher Orientation” was held Monday, August 22, through Wednesday, August 24, 2022. Montville Township Public Schools will open to students on Tuesday, September 6, 2022. All faculty and staff will return to the district for the 2022-2023 academic year on Thursday, September 1, 2022.

Superintendent  Dr. Thomas A. Gorman shared a letter with Parents and Guardians on August 15, 2022. "The mission of the Montville Township Public Schools is 'to develop well-rounded, invested, and inspired students by engaging them in an experience of collaboration with educators, parents, and community that fosters a culture of innovation, character, and inclusivity in a shared spirit of pride.'  To accomplish this, we will work together to continue establishing the highest quality of learning through a powerful and rigorous learning environment," Dr. Gorman wrote. 

Highlights of the 2022-2023 school budget include: The addition of three elementary teaching positions due to enrollment changes. The addition of one part time Basic Skills Teacher and one part time ESL Teacher. Additional related and extraordinary services based on student needs. Increased costs in the area of transportation due to rising fuel prices and bus driver shortages. Renovation projects including: Upgrading the entrance security at Lazar Middle School, repairs to external wall panels at Cedar Hill, William Mason and Woodmont Schools, Replacement of the gym windows at Woodmont School, Improvements to the exterior entrance and signage at Valley View School, Univentilator replacement at Valley View School, paving at Hilldale, William Mason and Valley View Schools. The budget reflects the addition of several teaching positions. The full presentation is available on the district website at 2022-2023 Public Hearing on the Budget.

An Innovative Educator, Dr. Gorman Will Begin His Position as Superintendent of Montville Township Public Schools on July 1, 2022 - Dr. Thomas A. Gorman was appointed Superintendent of the Montville Township Public Schools on Tuesday, March 15, 2022. The resolution of Dr. Gorman’s appointment was unanimously passed by the Montville Township Board of Education. Dr. Gorman’s appointment is effective as of July 1, 2022, following the retirement of Superintendent Dr. René T. Rovtar on June 30. READ MORE: www.montville.net/news/superintendent-dr-thomas-a-gorman