School News

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 latest collegiate achievements by township students: University of Scranton

For the third consecutive time, a Franklin Middle School student has finished first in the state and top five nationally in a financial literacy competition. Bryce Gray, a 7th grader, took top state honors for middle schools in the SIFMA Foundation’s Stock Market Game essay component – called InvestWrite – and finished fourth nationally.