Weekly Roundup: WTPD enforces distracted driving laws this month, baseball forges ahead after head coach’s resignation
In other news, Washington Township Public Schools’ newly-appointed district equity officer Steve Gregor outlined his goals for the position.
In lieu of Distracted Driving Awareness Month, Washington Township police are enforcing distracted driving laws throughout April, and the WTHS baseball team defeated Toms river North 1–0 in their first game after head coach bill Alvaro resigned for personal and family reasons. Catch up on all the latest stories in our Weekly Roundup.
Steve Gregor addresses goals as new District Equity Officer
“I would like to work against deficit ideology,” Gregor said. “We need to change our thinking about why some families do not participate fully in their child’s education. It’s not for lack of desire, it’s for lack of access — that’s why we need to remove the barriers. Not just make things equitable, but remove the barriers to our educational resources.” Gregor has worked in the district since 1989.
Washington Township High School baseball forges ahead after head coach’s resignation
Just before the start of baseball season, head coach Bill Alvaro resigned. Athletic director Kevin Murphy said the resignation was due to personal and family reasons. News of the resignation broke on March 29, just two days prior to the Minutemen’s first game of the regular season against Toms River High School North. The district has appointed assistant coach Bob Kelly as the team’s interim head coach through mid-April. Despite the fact, Minutemen prevailed in their first game, defeating Toms River North, 1–0, in 10 innings. Pitchers Eric Cartafalsa, Nick Hammer and Lorenzo Morello preserved the shutout for Washington Township.
Distracted driving awareness
The Washington Township Police Department is participating in a statewide high visibility enforcement campaign this month, in an effort to enforce distracted driving laws. A $66,000 state grant will be shared between the Rowan University Police Department and 16 Gloucester County towns. Gurcsik said Washington Township will receive $5,500 in grant funds through the New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety. “It’s obviously a dangerous epidemic in New Jersey, and a major contributing factor in many crashes,” Chief of Police Pat Gurcsik said. “Last year we had 2,300 motor vehicle crashes in town, and four of them were fatal accidents.”
OVMS school counselor honored with “Counselor of the County” title
“I’ve always been interested in helping other people, and particularly helping the kids here as I started to work here and got to know them,” Jedwabny said. “When a kid knows that you care about them, they’re going to respond to you differently. So, I try and get to know our students a little bit, as a person.”
Elementary school recognizes World Autism Day
Whitman Elementary School in Washington Township recognized World Autism Awareness Day on Tuesday, April 3. The Whitman faculty and staff wore autism awareness T-shirts to school, and students were encouraged to wear blue colors or autism awareness gear as well.
Easter Celebrations at Gloucester County Community Church
Gloucester County Community Church in Washington Township hosted an Easter egg hunt on Saturday, March 31, where children were busy gathering eggs, getting their faces painted, bouncing around the bouncy house, winning prizes, taking photos with the Easter Bunny and enjoying refreshments.
