By Amy Batista, Special Writer
HIGHTSTOWN — The public high school was filled with thousands of visitors — students, parents, teachers, and local community leaders — who were invited to tour the facility April 4 to see academic, artistic and athletic works on display.
Elementary, middle and high school students all had work showcased at the East Windsor Regional School District Curriculum Fair.
"It’s been a learning experience for me, and it gives me a heads up on what’s gonna come for high school,” said sixth-grader Alyssa Koshy of East Windsor.
"Years ago, we had this Curriculum Fair every year, and I am so glad we have it back again,” said Lori Sheridan, of East Windsor, second-grade teacher at Perry L. Drew School.
The fair was reintroduced last year. Students showcased samples of their work and highlighted a skill or activity. The event featured live choral and instrumental performances.
Ms. Sheridan reflected on what is like to be a resident and teacher and said she looks forward to the fair, especially seeing past and present students.
"Since I am a resident, I look forward to seeing teachers that my own children had and loved,” she said. “I enjoy running into my past students and seeing how they have grown and matured. Of course, I am always excited to (see) all of the amazing work of our kids. I think the Curriculum Fair is an event that brings our community together in a way we should all be proud of.”
Mayor Janice Mironov, of East Windsor, said, “It was really great how engaged and excited the students were about their projects and displays and the tremendous turnout and support by their families. The range of activities and displays from the high school robotics displays to the Kreps and elementary school posters and projects, along with the musical programs, demonstrated the broad talents of our students and commitment of their teachers.”
Senior David Figueroa, of East Windsor, was one of the students working in the woodshop that evening, demonstrating skills and making a pen for those that stopped in to visit and watch. A drawing was held at the end of the night to win a free pen made by an advanced student.
"I like how you can make your own stuff,” David said.
The students were asked to display their work by their woodshop teacher, William Wetherill, of Neptune City.
"The kids take pride in their work, which is the most important thing,” Mr. Wetherill said.
Gabrielle Chase, of Mount Holly, a physical education teacher at the Perry L. Drew School, challenged the students that evening to speed stacking competitions.
Speed stacking is stacking cups in pyramids then trying to unstack them at an unusually high rate of speed.
"I have been stacking for 10 years,” Ms. Chase said. “I learned it at the health and physical education conference that was held in Philadelphia. I started teaching it at the Walter C. Black School when I taught there. Then, once I was moved to the Perry L. Drew School, I started teaching it there.”
For Eileen Levy, of East Windsor, a second-grade teacher at the Perry L. Drew School, her students learned about the crystallization of mold and that experimentation was all about the unexpected “aha” moment, according to Ms. Levy.
"They learned that experimentation is the best way to understand science,” she said. “It was with this kind of enthusiasm that the community came out to appreciate; all the learning that takes place daily in the East Windsor Regional School District.”
Paul Connolly, a parent and board member, was able to see the fair from two different perspectives as he came out to see the work of both his son and daughter.
East Windsor resident Connolly said, “The administrators worked with the teachers and did a great job in showcasing all of the students’ work. The Curriculum Fair was well received based on the parents I spoke to. We as a district need to do more events like this — the fair satisfied a need to get the parents engaged in public education. I look forward to seeing more parents involved in their children’s schools — and next year’s Curriculum Fair.”
"For the East Windsor Education Association, this was an opportunity for us to say, ‘thanks,’ to the parents of our students for sharing their children with us all year, for helping them with homework, helping them study for tests, encouraging them to get up and get to school on some of those sleepy Monday mornings,” said Ellen Ogintz, a fourth- and fifth-grade resource teacher and president of the East Windsor Education Association. “And for supporting what we do,” Ms. Ognitz added.
For a story on a recent Transition Fair at Hightstown High School, sponsored by the Hightstown-East Windsor Special Education Parent Advisory Group, pick up next week’s edition of the Windsor-Hights Herald.
