School News

Iqra Asghar of Franklin Park, NJ, class of 2018, was named to the Tufts University dean’s list for the Spring 2016 semester. Dean’s list honors at Tufts University require a semester grade point average of 3.4 or greater. Brandon Pugnet of Somerset has been named to the 2016 spring semester Dean’s List at Lafayette College for outstanding academic achievement. To qualify for …

Elementary school students gathered in a park in Somerset Mews July 20 learned a few lessons in what to do in case of a fire. The two dozen or so students were there as part of the school district’s summer “Books in the Park” program, which for 14 years has been encouraging youths to read through lending them new and …

Andrea Circelli and Nicole Salvatico were named to the Spring Dean’s List at Wilkes University. To be named to the Dean’s List, students must obtain a minimum 3.4 grade point average and carry at least 12 credits. Victoria Seamon has been named to Alvernia University’s Dean’s List for the spring 2016 semester. Seamon is studying Occupational Therapy. To be eligible …

Policies allowing the medical use of marijuana by students and prohibiting discrimination against transgender students were introduced at the June 30 Board of Education meeting. A public hearing and final vote on the policies is scheduled for the board’s July 21 meeting. Under the two policies – both of which are as a result of state laws – the school district …

Students from Cedar Hill Preparatory School shared in the top honors in the 2016 RoboCup Junior World Championship in Leipzig, Germany. The students competed from June 30 to July 3. The CHP students, along with other students representing the United States, were teamed up with students from Mexico and Taiwan in a “superteam” that took first place in the OnStage competition, …

School district students and staff were honored by the Board of Education at its June 30 meeting. The board gave special recognition to Bryce Gray, the Franklin Middle Schooler who recently finished first in the state and fourth nationally in a stock market game, as well as members of the Franklin High School boys’s and girls’ track teams. Also recognized …

Submitted by Rutgers Master Gardeners of Somerset County. In June the Rutgers Master Gardeners of Somerset County completed its “Seeds to Salad” program with 2nd, 3rd and 4th graders at Pine Grove Manor Elementary School and 3rd graders at Whiton Elementary school in Branchburg. The program reaped in giant salads which fed over 300 children, teachers, and Master Gardener volunteers. It took many weeks …

For the first time in its 11-year history, the strains of “Pomp and Circumstance” wafted through the air at Franklin High School on June 23, accompanying more than 500 graduating seniors. Under cloudy skies that initially threatened rain, but later opened up to a beautiful summer morning, the 527-member strong Class of 2016 listened to speeches, strained to see their family members …

A citizen’s group has sprung up to oppose a proposed third charter school in the township. Called “Franklin Community Advocates Revitalizing Our Education System,” or Franklin C.A.R.E.S., the group has launched a Facebook page and an online petition asking David Hespe, the state Commissioner of Education, to deny the school’s application for a charter. The petition is also targeted to Mark …

The latest collegiate achievements by township students: University of Scranton Local residents were among the more than 900 bachelor’s and associate degree recipients at The University of Scranton’s undergraduate commencement, which was held May 29 at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Wilkes-Barre. Sister Mary Scullion, R.S.M., co-founder, executive director and president of Project HOME (Housing, Opportunities for Employment, Medical Care, …