Shannon Wray-Norris takes the oath of office to serve on the Margate Board of Education, Dec. 14, 2022.
By NANETTE LoBIONDO GALLOWAY
MARGATE – The Board of Education Dec. 14 installed a new member and introduced two new policies governing animals in the schools. Resident Shannon Wray-Norris will serve a one-year term on the board.
Wray-Norris is a popular figure in Margate and is often seen volunteering her time at community events. She is a member of the Margate Business Association and Gilda’s Club and has a 25-year career as a marketing and public relations professional. She is an adjunct professor at Atlantic Cape Community College and works in the broadcast media arena and was recognized in 2010 as one of Atlantic City Weekly Magazine’s Top 40 Under 40.
Her appointment would “keep the district strong and good for our children” Superintendent Audrey Becker said.
Becker updated the board on the status of the roof repair at the Eugene A. Tighe Middle School, which she said would be completed by the end of January. Afterward, the roof at the William H. Ross School will be replaced. The work was funded through a bond ordinance approved by the Board of Commissioners last year.
“Both schools will have new roof surfaces good for at least 20-plus years,” she said.
The Dominick A. Potena Performing Arts Center will also undergo renovations following the Tighe School’s performances of the musical, “Moana Jr.” Jan. 12-13, 2023, she said.
“It will be fresh and new for our end of school year activities,” Becker said.
Becker also announced the Tighe School would lose two seventh and eighth grade language arts teachers to retirement at the end of the school year.
Becker shared the results of the Start Strong assessment administered in September, which she said was a “snapshot” used to assess the needs of students following the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The assessment would not replace the 2023 NJ Student Learning Assessment that will be administered in spring, but is used to determine knowledge retained from the prior year’s curriculum.
The assessment, which indicates there is catching up to do for some students, would guide teachers on how to improve student performance.
About 16% of students in grades 4-8 need more support, 23% need some support, and 61% need less support in language arts literacy. Also, 61% of students need less support, while 10% need more support, and 29% need some support in mathematics. Approximately one-third of students fell into each of the categories for science.
Becker said individual reports were sent to parents, and that teachers would use the students’ individual reports to identify those who need additional academic support.
“Extra support and differentiation will continue to be offered to our special education students district wide to focus on theor continued growth and achievement,” she said during her presentation.
Teacher Jessica Cuevas, right, with her Leonberger, Mavis, a trained therapy dog.
In other business, the board introduced two new policies governing animals in the schools. The policies are being implemented based on a new program proposed by third grade teacher Jessica Cuevas, who spearheaded the schools’ community gardens.
This time around, Cuevas is proposing the use of her pup, Mavis, a trained Leonberger therapy dog, to reduce stress, improve physical and emotional well-being and decrease anxiety for students, with the goal to increase the likelihood of academic achievement.
“We are learning more about it and getting our policies in place so hopefully we can offer something new and special for our students,” Becker said.
“I think that’s a wonderful thing,” board member Jim Swift said. “It will be great to take the kids eye off the ball for a little.”
Following an executive session held following the regular meeting, the board approved a motion to appoint attorney Jaclyn Morgese of Cornell, Merlino, McKeever & Osborne, LLC as special labor relations counsel for upcoming negotiations.
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