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.

Students must be older than 3 years-old, and under 5 years-old, before October 1^, 2023, to be eligible to attend - Children with and without special needs will be educated together in an innovative, child-centered program designed to promote the academic, social, emotional and language development of every child. Enrollment is open to a limited number of typical preschool children who will be selected via a lottery process. The yearly cost is $5,000, divided into 10 payments of $500 each. Limited transportation is also available at a rate of $250 per year (one way) and $500 per year (round trip). Applications submitted after Tuesday, February 28, 2023, will be placed on awaiting list. Use this link to apply: www.montville.net/MontvilleTwpIntegratedPreK

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.

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.