Promise and renewal
By Mary Ellen Day, Special Writer
Christ the King School opened its doors Tuesday morning for the 2014-15 school year. Parents dropped off their children for the 8:30 a.m. opening.
Principal Christine Benson greeted students as they arrived. Many students were glad to reconnect with friends, some of whom they had not seen since they left for their summer vacation in June. A few parents gathered to briefly socialize and teachers sought out their students. Students brought their supplies in their new backpacks, anxious to begin studies.
Ms. Benson welcomed them in the cafeteria. The day began with a morning prayer by eighth grade students followed by comments from Ms. Benson.
"I’d like to welcome you to Christ the King’s new school year," she said. "Those of you who are new to Christ the King we offer a special warm welcome to you. As we begin our school year, we are going to follow Jesus’ teaching. We are going to follow and think about the love that he had for everyone."
She asked them to go to their classes thinking "about how we can be like Jesus how can we be kind, how can we be loving."
Ms. Benson said a few things were new this year, including a mission statement included in the accreditation.
It reads: "The administration, staff and the students of Christ the King School, Manville, foster a vibrant Catholic learning environment enabling a diverse student population to develop its potential spiritually, morally and socially, and accepts its responsibility of Christian services to the local and global community, through the ministry of Catholic education."
The school just completed the accreditation report, which was a two-year process. Results have been published and will be shared with the HSA (Home School Association) parent group, advisory council, parents and teachers. The final accreditation will take place in the Diocese of Metuchen around the middle of October.
"That was a big undertaking," Ms. Benson said.
CTK is working on publicity about the school. Ms. Benson said there are more activities and clubs for the children. New clubs include a Lego club and robotics. Forensics and drama clubs are offered, along with basketball and cheerleading.
Ms. Benson said they are incorporating the state Core Curriculum Standards with next textbooks for English/language arts and for math which are being used this year for the first time.
Staff members have been added. The school welcomed back Ashley Regan- 6, 7, 8 Language Arts, who was on maternity leave. Returning staff includes Donna Straut (pre K); Melissa Reilly-Grecco (kindergarten); Lisa Naotaro (1st); Barbara Forbes (2nd); Betty Ann Conrad (3rd); Karen Stehn (4th); Diane Fazio (5th); Jackie Porter (6, 7, 8 social studies and science); and Barbara Mullins (6, 7, 8 math/religion).
Special subject teachers include Christine Minsavage (art); Anna Stadtmueller (Spanish); Margey Nelson (music); Maria Stadtmueller (computers) and Angela Shea (physical education).
Christ the King School is taking applications for the school year for grades pre-K to 8. Call school secretary Donna Peltack at 908-526-1339 to schedule a personal tour of the school and check out the website at www.ctkmanville.com.