Education

State Assembly Deputy Speaker Yvonne Lopez (D-19), is scheduled to be Central Jersey College Prep Charter School’s 2026 Commencement Speaker for its in-person graduation ceremony taking place 5:30 p.m. June 18. Lopez, who has served in the Legislature since 2018 and as Deputy Speaker since 2022, currently serves as Chair of the Assembly Housing Committee, member of the Community Development …

Jamil Maroun. A 21-year educational veteran – who currently leads the Manville School District – is expected to be announced as the district’s new schools Superintendent at a special June 4 Board of Education meeting. Jamil Maroun, who began his educational career as a Social Studies teacher at Sayreville High School in 2005, will replace outgoing Superintendent John Ravally, who …

Adult learners ages 25 and older who are interested in starting college for the first time, returning to school to finish a degree, exploring a new career path, seeking professional development, or improving their English are invited to attend one of Raritan Valley Community College’s Adult Learning Experience Information Sessions this summer. Three sessions have been planned: June 17,  6-8 p.m. …

SURPRISE! – Pine Grove Manor Elementary School students react as their new book dispensing machine is unveiled on May 29. Pine Grove Manor Elementary School unveiled a book-dispensing machine Friday during a ribbon-cutting ceremony, a gift made possible by a South Korean immigrant who built one of the largest computer refurbishing businesses in the United States and wanted to give …

MIDDLE SCHOOL WINNER – Franklin Middle School student Aderin Venzola collects her trophy after winning the Middle School Invention Competition May 28 at Franklin High School. Township middle and high school students on May 28 competed in the finals of the district’s secondary Invention Competition, showcasing eco-friendly sneaker designs and sustainability-focused engineering projects in a contest sponsored by the Sodhani …

GIVING BACK – Makeda Fryson, co-founder of the Triple B Foundation, speaks about the foundation’s goals during the May 28 donation at Franklin Park School. For the third consecutive year, a local nonprofit organization has donated roughly $7,500 worth of sensory tools to a township elementary school, providing teachers with items designed to help neurodivergent students regulate their emotions and …

Rachel Yuh of Somerset has earned a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science with Highest Honors from the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta. Yuh was among approximately 7,200 undergraduate and graduate students to be presented Georgia Tech degrees during the Institute’s 269th Commencement exercises Dec. 11 – 13, 2025, at McCamish Pavilion (Ph.D. and bachelor’s) and Bobby Dodd Stadium (master’s). East …

Four Franklin Township students were among 20 students from Somerset and Hunterdon counties who were honored for their achievements at the 35th Annual Paul Robeson Youth Achievement Awards, held April 20 at Raritan Valley Community College in Branchburg. The event, attended by 270 people, was sponsored by the College’s Paul Robeson Institute for Ethics, Leadership and Social Justice. 

The Thomas Edison EnergySmart Charter School’s VEX IQ Robotics Team, X-Stream, placed 41st in their division among hundreds of elite teams from across the globe at the recent VEX IQ Robotics World Championships held in St. Louis, Mo. X-Stream advanced through regional competitions before earning qualification for the New Jersey State Championship held at New Jersey Institute of Technology in …

PUPPY THERAPY – Kristeen Kohrs, a volunteer with Creature Comfort Pet Therapy, and Kevin presented a talk on pet therapy during the TEECS Wellness Fair on April 25. Strategies to improve physical and metal well-being were highlighted April 25 at the fifth annual Wellness Fair at Thomas Edison EnergySmart Charter School.