This has been an extraordinary week for the school children of East Brunswick.
On March 12 the East Brunswick Education Foundation (EBEF) celebrated its 12th anniversary with a fund-raising gala honoring two benefactors, Dr. Howard Sorkin and Kenneth Kohn of Gabowitz Television and Appliance, East Brunswick. Thanks to the energies of these men and the generosity of their friends, colleagues and concerned community members, we raised many thousands of dollars to benefit our township’s children. This money will fund projects proposed by our teachers to enrich the curriculum at all grade levels.
At 8:15 a.m. on March 14 at Hammarskjold Middle School, East Brunswick, I was privileged to witness sixth- and seventh-graders participating in a program made possible by the EBEF. Verbal Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) students, taught by Susan Pomerantz and Stephanie Margolis, hosted Thomas Daly, the education curator of the Norman Rockwell Museum, Stockbridge, Mass.
For close to two hours, Mr. Daly expanded and reinforced the knowledge and skills these youngsters had previously gained from having written essays based on what they had gleaned from Mr. Rockwell’s paintings. Already familiar with the artist’s commitment to the “four freedoms” and the “golden rule,” the boys and girls questioned and commented on the relevance of the themes illustrated in the presentation. The importance, then and today, of freedom of speech, the dawn of the civil rights movement, the role of women in World War II as most famously shown in “Rosie, the Riveter,” the techniques used by the painter to guide his viewers in really seeing his work — these and other concepts were eagerly discussed throughout the session.
I had planned to stay only a half-hour to get a taste of the project, but I was mesmerized by the interaction of the children, the teachers and their guest lecturer, and so I followed the animated discussion to its conclusion. Hammarskjold will soon receive a relevant film and posters of the paintings so that the curiosity and interest stirred by the foundation’s granting of this request will continue.
As a parent of three grown children who thrived in our schools, as a real estate agent who understands how much a fine school system contributes to our community, and as a board member of the foundation so happy with the work that we do, I thank those who have contributed to our success, and I encourage you to take part in our efforts to bring to our children that which will help them become engaged, productive and compassionate human beings. Join our committees. You can reach out to us through www.ebef.org, and we shall respond.
Marilyn Friedes
East Brunswick