The Mount Laurel Board of Education recognized the Thomas E. Harrington Middle School softball team and announced a new principal at Fleetwood Elementary at its June 14 meeting.
“I had a chance to see this team play at their game in Cherry Hill, and basically, they won every single game that they played this year,” School Superintendent Dr. George Rafferty said of the Harrington players.
“So they won the softball championship in our region and we’re very pleased about that.”
Rafferty noted that each player and coach on the team will receive a certificate of accomplishment: Players Abigail Bozarth, Sarah Buckley, Elizabeth Carl, Sierra Cranmer, Samantha Elk, Gabrielle Ferraro, Olivia Kuemmerle-Loy, Mikayla Maldonado, Keira Mayernik, Sydney Michener, Taliyah Milton, Gianna Pellegrino-Margolis, Cassandra Quinn, Jovi Seidelmann, Camryn Shank, Erin Shannon and coaches Nicole Kraus and Sandra Poulton.
Rafferty commended the team’s sportsmanship and maturity.
“They are young athletes and they show a lot of professionalism with each other and sportsmanship with other teams,” he noted. “(Also), the professionalism of our coaches and our middle school that work with our students and our sports team.”
“I’ve had the chance to see them in action and, when working with our students, they encourage and support them, and do so in a very caring way and I’m quite impressed by that.”
The superintendent then discussed the search for a principal at Fleetwood.
“It wasn’t too long ago that (former principal) Mr. (Michael) Profico announced his retirement,” Rafferty said. “The district engaged in a principal search process. We had reviewed approximately 88 applicants.
“I’m happy to announce that I do have a candidate for principal of Fleetwood Elementary School for next year,” he added, “and it’s Mr. James DeSimone.
“Thank you Mr. DeSimone, and we look forward to continuing our working relationship with you in your new role this upcoming school year. Congratulations.”
DeSimone has served as curriculum supervisor for the school district for the last five years and also has experience as an educator in Camden. He earned a bachelor of arts degree in sociology from Rutgers, a master’s of arts in teaching and early childhood education from Montclair State and an educational specialist degree in educational leadership from Seton Hall. He also attended Fleetwood Elementary as a child.
In other news:
- The board approved a resolution to reject new flooring bids for the Springville School due to the limited access for reflooring corridors, stairs and lobby areas.
- The board authorized a resolution to accept The Kennedy Investment Group’s donation of $2,400 for Harrington Middle School’s special needs program.
- The board also officially canceled its July 19 session.
The next board meeting will be on Aug. 23 at Harrington Middle School.
