The Palmyra Board of Education received a donation from the Palmyra High School Foundation for Educational Excellence, presented the students of the month and honored the fall sports teams for their hard work this season at its meeting Dec. 11.
Prior to the meeting, members held an hour-long board of education workshop on public-community engagement conducted by the New Jersey State Boards Association.
“The Palmyra Board of Education is a part of the New Jersey State Boards Association and there’s different levels of certification,” said Superintendent Brian McBride in an interview with the Sun last Thursday. “The Palmyra Board of Education recently became a certified board.
“The next level above that is master level,” McBride continued. “That is even more classwork, events and workshops for the board. The board’s goals that they reviewed last night include achieving the mastery certification. It’s a statement to the community and a testament to the board that they are committed to being a high-functioning board of education committed to the education of the students.”
The class taught the board of education why communication is important. According to a slide on the presentation, the school district exists in a fishbowl where the slightest gesture can generate buzz. Communication, subtle messages, availability, appearance of the school and the pride and involvement within the community are all aspects that were mentioned during the workshop.
After the workshop, the board members welcomed the public into the auditorium and held brief presentations for the retirement of board member John Quigg.
The certification that the board presented to Quigg stated:
“Whereas, John Quigg has served as a member of the Palmyra Borough Board of Education and whereas in recognition of his dedication to the students of the Borough of Palmyra for the period of 2010 through 2019 and whereas he honorably served the community of Palmyra of Palmyra Borough with fairness and professionalism … now therefore be it resolved that we, the members of the board, do hereby extend to John Quigg our sincere and grateful appreciation for his dedicated service to the Palmyra Board of Education and our best wishes to him for continued success, happiness and good health in the years to come.”
The board also thanked the Palmyra High School Foundation for Educational Excellence for an $18,000 donation to the art department and honored the students of the month, including Logan Collins, David Merlo, Talan Christopher, Cormac Riley and Diane Christopher.
“I can’t express enough how much the donation means to Palmyra High School, but equally Palmyra School District as a whole,” McBride noted. “When you look out at the stage, there is about 100 years of theater and to breathe new life into our performing, fine and visual arts alive here in Palmyra.
“The students are benefiting from their hard work. Thank you very much to the members of the Palmyra High School Foundation for Educational Excellence.”
