Six paraprofessionals from across the Freehold Regional High School District have been recognized as the Support Staff Members of the Year by the district’s Board of Education.
This annual district award was created to recognize the hard work and dedication of the district’s paraprofessionals, according to a press release.
The paraprofessionals work closely with the child study team and teachers to help maximize student potential in a variety of settings: in the classroom, in extracurricular programs, during the after-school recreational program and in the district’s Extended School Year summer program.
The 2016-2017 Support Staff Members of the Year are:
• Nancy Niesz from Colts Neck High School has worked in the FRHSD for 15 years. Niesz is a one-on-one paraprofessional within the Student Transition Employment Program and Learning and Language Disability program. She also supports students who participate in the after-school recreational program.
• Domenick Pollifrone from Freehold High School has worked in the FRHSD for seven years. Pollifrone is a one-on-one paraprofessional and job coach within the Workplace Training Program. He supports the district’s Extended School Year summer program and also supports students who participate in the after-school recreational program.
• Bernice Weinshenker from Freehold Township High School has worked in the FRHSD for 25 years. Weinshenker is a paraprofessional in the Patriots Employment Program and supports afters-school recreational dances.
• Madeline Notholt from Howell High School has worked in the FRHSD for 12 years. Notholt is a one-on-one paraprofessional in the autism spectrum program. She supports the district’s Extended School Year summer program and also supports students who participate in the after-school recreational program.
• Judith Casparius from Manalapan High School has worked in the FRHSD for nine years. Casparius is a one-on-one paraprofessional during the school day. She supports Special Education Advisory Council events and students participating in extracurricular activities.
• Marguerite Swirbell from Marlboro High School has worked in the FRHSD for 17 years. Swirbell is a one-on-one paraprofessional in the Learning and Language Disability program. She supports students who participate in the after-school recreational program.