School News

NEW V-P – Kira Sikorski speaks to the Board of Education after being named the new vice-principal at Franklin Park School on July 24. A 22-year school district veteran was tapped July 24 to be the next vice-principal at Franklin Park School. Kira Sikorski, a 1st Grade teacher at the school, has held many positions during her tenure in Franklin, …

The school district and a charter school are recipients of state grants designed to improve literacy in elementary school students. Both grants were from the state Department of Education’s Funding for Optimal Comprehensive Universal Screeners, or FOCUS, program, through which $2.3 million was awarded statewide. The district received $20,040, while Central Jersey College Prep Charter School received $2,900. The funding …

VALEDICTORY ADDRESS – Aaryan Patel, the Franklin High School Class of 2025 Valedictorian, gives his address during the June 26 graduation ceremony in Warrior Stadium. Don’t fear the unknown, but, rather, chase it, was the advice given to the Franklin High School Class of 2025 by its Valedictorian at their graduation ceremony on June 26. “Class of 2025, don’t be …

ADDRESSING GRADUATES – Franklin Middle School – Sampson G. Smith campus principal Rebekah Solomon speaks during the 8th Grade Promotion ceremony at Franklin High School on June 25. Franklin Middle School 8th Graders on June 25 got a taste of what assembling in the Franklin High School gym will be like at the 8th Grade Promotion Ceremony. The 470 students …

Centenary University awarded degrees to 431 graduates at its 150th commencement, which was held as two separate in-person ceremonies presided over by President Dale Caldwell, Ed.D., on the University’s Hackettstown campus. One ceremony recognized graduates who earned associate and undergraduate degrees, while a second event showcased academic accomplishments of master’s and doctoral graduates. Graduating from Franklin were: Troy Micheal Sumpter of Franklin Park, Bachelor …

DELIVERING THE STATS – Nicholas Solomon, the school district’s Director of School Management, reviews the Student Safety Data report for the first half of the 2023-24 school year. Township students are below average when it comes to being “written up” for disciplinary incidents, the Board of Education was recently told. Students in the elementary, middle and high schools received fewer …

School supplies are being collected for distribution in the annual “Project Backpack” drive sponsored by state Assemblyman Joe Danielsen (D-17). The drive is meant to get school supplies in backpacks to students throughout the 17th Legislative District. “Over the last 10 years, we have distributed well over 10,000 backpacks to students across the 17th Legislative District thanks to our friends, …

NEW PRINCIPAL – Edgar Vazquez speaks to the Board of Education after being named new principal at Pine Grove Manor Elementary School. Edgar Vazquez was named the new Pine Grove Manor principal by the Board of Education at its June 19 meeting. A 7-year veteran of the school district, Vazquez for the past two years has been the Vice-Principal at …

GRADUATION SPEAKERS – Valedictorian Semra Suslu and Salutatorian Ansh Parikh during the CJCP graduation ceremony on June 18. Central Jersey College Preps’ Class of 2025 was told to be “leaders with integrity” at its graduation ceremony on June 18 at the Mettlers Road campus. The graduates heard from Jeannine LaRue, who during her career has been an elected official, lobbyist, …

CELEBRATING STUDENTS – Nikkii Tatum, who runs the Road To Success program, said this year’s class may have the most graduates in its history. Students who completed the alternative high school program “Road To Success” were honored June 17 with an awards ceremony and party. The program’s mission is to, “prepare enrolled students to graduate high school and be college …