Milford Brook School March Highlights

The following highlights are submitted by Irene Policastro, the Secretary to Superintendent John J. Marciante of the Manalapan-Englishtown Regional School District.

Read Across America Celebration
celebrated Read Across America Day and our students’ love of reading on Thursday, March 1st. First and second grade students were surprised by a visit from The Cat in the Hat and Kidsville News mascot, Truman. Both magically appeared during our readers’ celebration in the Media Center! The first and second graders paraded around the school with both The Cat and Truman visiting with our third, fourth and fifth grade students. Throughout the day, special guest readers from the also visited with classes to share some of their favorite Dr. Seuss books. You can check out full coverage and photos of the festivities in the March edition of Kidsville News.

Honk, Honk...
During the week of March 19th the Milford Brook gymnasium was transformed into a town called "Scooterville”. The purpose of creating “Scooterville” is to teach students the importance of obeying traffic signs and road/pedestrian safety. Students have to take a driver’s test to get a license in order to “drive” around “Scooterville”. Students are also assigned jobs such as police officers, workers at McMilford’s or toll collectors at the Pickus Tunnel. Students also experience first-hand the responsibilities involved with various occupations and community helpers (one of our Social Studies units of study) such as judges as well as the different kinds of services/recreational activities that are offered in our community. Each year, Milford Brook graduates love to come back and reminisce about their “Scooterville” memories- it sure makes a lasting impression!

Parent and Staff Volleyball Tournament
The Milford Brook PTA sponsored a Parent/Staff Volleyball Tournament on the evening of March 28th. Six teams compromised of Milford Brook staff members and fifth grade parents battled for a first place title. All of the students who attended enjoyed cheering on the participants. Fifth graders were able to compete against the first place parent/staff team for the ultimate championship title. It was a battle to the finish; but the fifth grade team was crowned champions in the end! All proceeds raised that evening will go towards funding the 5th Grade Moving-Up Celebration in June.

Immigration Day, 2012
This annual “rite of passage” provided a virtual experience for our second grade students as they traveled aboard the SS Milford to “Ellis Island” (aka our gym) on Friday, March 30th. The students received mock passports and passenger numbers to help them role play the re-enactment of immigrating to America. Upon arrival at “Ellis Island” the students get mock medical examinations, pass through customs, and answer factual and geographic questions about the United States of America. Second graders look forward to this annual event and worked hard to prepare for it by researching their roots, heritage and culture. They learn about their family’s country of origin including where it is located, interesting facts, native clothing, language, and foods. It is always inspiring to see the flood of students standing before the Immigration Officer taking their Oath of Citizenship in their authentic 19th century apparel and travel bags! After the long voyage and the “Ellis Island” experience, students returned to their classrooms and enjoyed a feast of foods from countries all over the world.