COLTS NECK – Youngsters who attend the Conover Road Primary School in Colts Neck and the staff members who educate them are celebrating the building’s 15th anniversary.
Principal Tricia Barr said an assembly was held on Jan. 2 to mark the anniversary of the date when pupils and staff members moved into the new building in 2003. The school houses children in pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, first grade and second grade.
The theme of the assembly was “Celebrating 15 Years of Growing, Laughing and Learning.”
Barr said each class was asked to create a top 15 list of what makes the school an exceptional place of learning. The results were compiled into a list for the entire building and were announced as large candles were displayed on stage to represent the school’s first 15 years.
A video presentation recounted events from the school’s history and included pictures and video showing the building’s construction and dedication.
Original staff members were presented with certificates to mark their years of “creating a sense of community and purpose for our school,” Barr said.
Staff members who were honored were Karla Walter, Linda Weigel, B. Jay Willis, Jeanette Riggleman, Jennifer Tym, Jodi Rakin, Mary Jo Antonela, Maureen Caffyn-Price, Anita Hacke, Amy Spades, Jennifer Cies, Kathryn Kilyk, Carol Rush, Robin Worth, Marie Muller, Angela O’Gorman, Trish Varricchio, Emily Vitale, Lynn Ruggiero and Annemarie Delledonne.
“Ultimately, the school-wide meeting allowed us to celebrate our school’s progression from a newly constructed building to a place of learning that has a positive culture, unique traditions and the most inspiring and dedicated educators,” Barr said.
“Each of us feel so fortunate to work with outstanding children and families in the Colts Neck community. We have had 15 years consisting of many laughs and triumphs and we could not be more excited to see what the next 15 years has in store for the Conover Road Primary School,” the principal said.
A presentation about the school’s 15th anniversary was given to the Colts Neck K-8 School District Board of Education at its meeting on Jan. 24.