Board Recognizes Achievements by Students, Schools

Lawrence Township schools, and their students, have character worthy of recognition. 

That was the message proclaimed loud and clear on June 13 when, during its monthly meeting, the township Board of Education invited students, parents and staff to celebrate recent accomplishments in the district.

 “There have been amazing things happening in Lawrence this year, and our students have led the way,” Superintendent Philip Meara said.

Many of these students have done their part right at home.  Several Caring for Humanity scholarships, sponsored by the Mercer County Professional Counselors Association (MCPCA), went to students who showed their dedication to their community through service to their school.  These students included Tina Moon and Desirae Alvarez, graduating seniors at Lawrence High School.

The students were aided by school counselors, including Mark McGrath, who was selected by MCPCA as the Counselor of the Country for 2011.

“‘A Light to Guide’ is the mission of MCPCA and Mark reflects this mission as a guiding force for students in LHS and school counselors not only in Mercer County or New Jersey, but also throughout the nation,” Meara said.

Township schools collectively received multiple Character Education Partnership Awards, including 2011 Promising Practices Awards for Ben Franklin Elementary School and Lawrence Middle School. Lawrence Intermediate School and Eldridge Park Elementary School were named 2011‐2013 New Jersey State Schools of Character, and Eldridge Park went on to be named a 2011 National School of Character – one of only 43 schools and one school district nationwide to receive such an honor, Meara noted.

When all these awards were announced, recipients struggled to fit on the dais for a group photo. But that hardly bothered Meara.

“What a great thing that our risers are too small to accommodate everyone receiving character awards,” he said.

The boys track and field team also strained the capabilities of the risers.  The team broke several records during its 7-1 season.

“We had a fantastic year,” coach Nate Jones said.

In regard to the many records broken, Jones said, “It was a really big deal for us and I’m really proud of the guys.”

Girls track and field also had an outstanding athlete in first-place discus thrower Emily Irizarry.

The arts also drew accolades, with the high school’s theater students receiving multiple awards for their production of “How to Succeed in High School Without Really Trying.”

Lawrence students also received recognition this year for traveling abroad to do community service, graphic art, media communication and Model United Nations.

As a special aside, Meara also used the ceremony to announce that the district would be hiring about a dozen new teachers to replace staff who retire at the conclusion of this month. Those hires were approved by the school board later that evening.

“I’m very proud to say that for the first time in six years we did not lay off any staff this year and we actually hired new staff,” he said. “It’s amazing in this economy to have that many new teachers.”

(Audio from the school board meeting, including the awards segment of the meeting, can be found on the school district's website by clicking here.)