SAYREVILLE – Support staff members in the Sayreville School District have been honored for the 2018-19 school year.
During a Board of Education meeting on May 21, recognition was given to the Governor’s Educational Services Professionals of the year in the district.
At Emma Arleth Elementary School, the Governor’s Educational Services Professional of the Year is Danielle Fellona.
“She’s new to our school, but she immediately earned the respect of our staff,” Principal Robert Preston said. “She established a tremendous rapport with students and parents. She does everything that’s thrown at her and does it well. If you know what an elementary guidance counselor is asked to do, your head might spin, from test administration to teaching classes, to group sessions. One after the other, she just keeps on rolling. And she’s always smiling, makes everyone feel comfortable.”
At Dwight D. Eisenhower Elementary School, the Governor’s Educational Services Professional of the Year is Mike Squillace.
“Mr. Mike, as our students affectionately know him, is just an integral part of our school,” Principal Scott Nurnberger said. “He knows all of our students, he knows their families, he knows our staff, and what strikes me about Mike is that he’s always looking to improve the building. He’s always coming up to me with new ideas and ways to improve to keep our students safe. So I truly appreciate every day he’s in our building and as I said, he’s an integral part of our school.”
At Harry S. Truman Elementary School, the Governor’s Educational Services Professional of the Year is Randy Levy.
“One of the nice things I’d like to have you all remember about Randy is that Randy won’t admit it, but Randy works long hours,” Principal Timothy Byrne said. “Now if you know anything about LDTCs [Learning Disabilities Teacher Consultants], they’re in high demand in this country. Randy is just so dedicated. At night, when I’m in the office, I close the office door and I know that if the door opens at night, it’s going to be one of two people. It’s going to be a custodian or it’s going to be Randy. And I can tell by her footsteps that it’s Randy when she comes in. That’s the kind of hours she works for us.
“She brings a vast amount of experience to the position,” he continued. “She was a teacher for 21 years in third grade, she taught pre-school for six years, she’s been in the district for seven. She’s a member of the professional development committee here in the district. So a woman who is obviously full-time in regard to Truman and Project Before [Preschool] has time for all of those things in addition to being a wife, a mother and a grandmother.”
At Woodrow Wilson Elementary School, the Governor’s Educational Services Professional of the Year is Joy Pollack.
“Joy Pollack, beautiful lady,” Principal Carmen Davis said. “Always trying to take care of everyone. Not just the children, also the teachers, the support staff and, of course, the principal. Always there for the children at play, cafeteria, recess for scrapes, bruises, tears. I can’t even tell you she will be sorely missed because she is retiring. Dedicated, compassionate, always there for us.”
At Samsel Upper Elementary School, the Governor’s Educational Services Professionals of the Year is Deidre Leblon.
“Deidre Leblon is a compassionate individual who deeply cares for her students, her colleagues,” Principal Stacey Coglianese said. “Deidre greets everyone she sees with a warm welcome and truly wanting to know how you are. She is one of the first to volunteer to help and has been an elf for our holiday raffle for many years. She is seen as a leader, an expert in her field and her department. She eagerly assists her students in their speech and language development. She is poised, professional and student-centered.
“For these reasons, it is an honor to call Mrs. Leblon our Educational Services Professional of the Year,” Coglianese said.
At Sayreville Middle School, the Governor’s Educational Services Professional of the Year is Doreen Consulmagno.
“I believe she is the heart and soul of the middle school and has always had the well-being of our students,” Principal Richard Gluchowski said. “She is a early riser, definitely before me, and I usually get to school early. She leaves after everyone has left for the day and she has been committed to the Sayreville Middle School community for 20 years. Her commitment and work ethic is second to none. She is the chairperson for the class ACT Committee, Student Ambassador Program Committee Service Club, RTI program. She’s a leader for our school safety team, our newly founded student climate team and I could go on for many others.
“She visits classrooms, as well as has student groups in regards to substance abuse, social skills, mental health, anger management and so on,” he continued. “She meets the students, parents, administration and the authorities throughout the school year, making sure our students are taken care of in countless ways. She holds many county and staff chairs, such as the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office School to Prison Pipeline Committee, is an executive board member for the Association of Student Assistance Professionals of New Jersey, she has presented at many venues, and all of this is a testament to her expertise and knowledge of the school environment.
“This short list of many great things this person does for the students of the Sayreville Middle School, as well as the County of Middlesex, is by far more than incredible. Again, we believe she is the heart and soul of the Sayreville Middle School, Ms. Doreen Consulmagno.”
At Sayreville War Memorial High School, the Governor’s Educational Services Professional of the Year is Ginny Kania.
“She comes in every single day with a smile on her face and she is a true team player,” Vice Principal Katelyn Zurawski said. “She’s extremely knowledgeable in school law and she is always really willing to work with any student and staff. Our two members in our nurse’s office are truly amazing and we wouldn’t be able to do what we can without either one of them.”