The outcome of the conference totalled just under 800 people between the two days.
At this week’s Tabernacle Board of Education meeting, Superintendent Glenn Robbins reflected on a two-day Rewire conference held on Oct. 5 and 6.
Educators from across the United States, a speaker from Scotland and all Tabernacle School District staff members were in attendance, and Robbins previously stated the goal of the conference was to rewire ways of thinking into the most accepting and diverse way possible, led by educators from across the globe.
He said he hopes students will leave Tabernacle Elementary School and Olson Middle School feeling good about themselves, for them to be self-confident and for them to know they are appreciated for who they are — regardless of their background.
He previously mentioned that with sponsorship by OnCourse Systems for education, support from the Education Foundation of Tabernacle Township and volunteer presenters, the conference would be at no cost to the district.
At the meeting, Robbins said the conference totalled just under 800 people between the two days, and that on Oct. 5 there were six representatives from the state Department of Education in attendance.
Robbins and Director of Curriculum and Instruction Barry Saide worked with the Education Foundation of Tabernacle Township to host the international conference.
“I wanted to especially thank the Ed Foundation for all you did, thank you, it was much appreciated and to Mr. Saide and the entire tiger strong team for putting it all together for an amazing two days,” Robbins said. “The feedback has just been simply phenomenal.”
Robbins also thanked board members Megan Jones and Megan Chamberlain, as well as board president Victoria Shoemaker for attending the Rewire conference.
In other news, board member Gail Corey gave recognition to the “Green Team” at Tabernacle Elementary School for its many accomplishments and plans to remain as environmentally friendly as possible.
Corey stated they have portable water refilling stations and upcoming recycling challenges planned, as well as their anticipated participation in the fall festival selling bird seed for funds to purchase garden tools, continuing the food waste and collection compost, plans to reduce plastic straw use, hopes to install air hand dryers in the bathrooms, etc.
Corey asked Robbins on the team’s behalf if solar panels will be installed in the district, to which Robbins stated they have begun looking into that process.
“I was so impressed with them — and the teachers, every time something gets brought up, the teachers on the team start talking about how they can integrate it into the lesson,” Corey said.
Robbins followed by saying, “The kids have gotten more involved and it’s the reason we’re the only school in Burlington County with that [Sustainable Jersey for Schools] Silver Award.”
The next regular board meeting will be held on Nov. 19 at 7 p.m. at Kenneth R. Olson Middle School.
