The name game

Residents’ input sought on new school name

By: Stephanie Prokop
   FLORENCE — The Florence Township School District will take on a whole new persona, literally, after the contest to name the new middle school is completed on Jan. 15.
   The entire district is doing a bit of rearranging, due to the renovation of the old middle/high school on Delaware Avenue into a new grade 4-8 school, which is set to open in September 2007.
   "Actually, that building was the middle and high school for quite a number of years, with only a door separating the two," said Superintendent Louis Talarico.
   "We’re doing roof and window replacements. We repaired interior walls and finishes, as well as replacing interior walls and frames, replacement of flooring, upgrading the bathrooms and water fountains, and the heating and piping," he said.
   The recreational fields also are getting a facelift.
   "We’re also redoing all of the fields, so this will allow the middle school students to have their own fields," said Dr. Talarico.
   The Marcella Duffy Elementary school, previously the district’s oldest and smallest school, was closed and will be sold to help the district finance the renovations, according to Dr. Talarico.
   Florence residents who have children in the school system also have a new resource for getting information about the schools: a television channel, which is a partnership between the township and the Board of Education.
   "Channel 19" will be broadcasting school meeting information as well as other pertinent information about the district, he said.
   The channel also is looking to provide videos of student programs, such as sports games, and is "another way that we’re looking to provide involvement in the schools," according to Dr. Talarico.
   The district is taking suggestions from students, parents and community members for the name of the new school.
   Residents are encouraged to send their suggestions (in care of the community relations committee chairperson, Robert Reillo Sr.) to the administration building at 201 Cedar St., Florence NJ 08518.
   Participants should include their name and address. The deadline for submission will be Monday, Jan. 15.
   "We want to make sure that opportunity is open to everyone," said Dr. Talarico.