Alder Weekly Update
May 28, 2023
Greetings!
Allow me to introduce myself! My name is Ms. Connor and I will be taking on the roll of principal for the remainder of the school. Some of you may remember me as the former High School Principal or the former Swift School Principal. I retired from High School Last June and am thrilled to help close out the school year for Alder Avenue. Ms. Cunningham will be taking over the principal role effective July 1. I wish her the best and I know she will do great things here at Alder. In the meantime if I can help in any way, please feel free to call.
I only started here on June 1, But I’m seeing great things, from teachers and students, to secretaries and custodians and all the support staff. What an awesome school we have!
Today, I had the opportunity to watch our Renaissance team put on amazing end of the year pep rallies for our students. Ms. Yacavelli, Ms. Schalm and Mr. Ferriola were unreal! They managed to get the students up and cheering. THere was some friendly competition between the grade level teams and we all had a great old time!
As we wind down the year in the next few weeks, administration is already looking to the 23-24 school year. That’s right! On Tuesday, June 6 there will be 6th grade orientation here at Alder Avenue starting at 6:00. Students from the Miller school that will be attending Alder will have the opportunity to meet the principal and know what's in store for them when they enter Alder Avenue in September. I believe a tour of the building is also involved.
On June 8th, our 8th grade students will have their field trip to Wildwood amusement/water park. Then, before you know it on June 15 the 8th grade dance will be held. Lots going on in such a short time!
Until next week, have a wonderful weekend! Stay safe, be well, continue to dream of the possibilities ahead of us, be happy and smile at someone!
Ms. Connor
STEAM Club
STEAM Club raced their wind-powered vehicles outside this week!
It was close, but after multiple races the winners were as follows:
1st: Bri Craig - 2nd: Assiry Genesis Loayza - 3rd: Santos Lopez-Poblete
===================================
Financial Literacy Fair
The Personal Financial Literacy Fair took place on Wednesday to teach students the importance of budgeting and making good financial decisions. This was an in-person budgeting simulation experience where students utilized their career choice monthly net pay to make purchasing decisions. To prepare for the fair, 8th grade students completed career interest surveys, researched, and selected career occupations, including real time state-choice data and salaries.
During the fair students visited mandatory and optional tables, making purchasing decisions and calculating their monthly expenses. At the end, students calculated their net pay minus monthly expenses while meeting with a "financial advisor" to review their budget.
===================================
Alder Baseball
Big shoutout to our baseball team for their great comeback during their last game of the season! Congratulations on the win!
===================================
Happy Retirement Ms. Giardina!
Last week, Alder staff got together for Ms. Giardina's surprise retirement party!
It was filled with lots of smiles, love, gratitude, and yummy food!
Ms. Giardina was also gifted a specially made
retirement cake by our very own, Luis!
This week the surprises continued .. Alder halls were lined and full of yellow for Ms. Giardina's last full day before her retirement! Music, hugs, cheers, and tons of thank you's for Ms. Giardina as staff and students surprised her with a Tour de Alder Clap Out!
Alder staff gathered around for one last group picture with our beloved principal! Thank you Ms. Giardina! You have given EHT School District so much of your time and energy, and we are so thankful for it all. Have a wonderful retirement! #EHTPRIDE
===================================
Pep Rally
This Friday our students came together for their last pep rally of the year and had a blast! Each team voted on their team theme and made sure to dress the part!
===================================
Special Shout Out
Special shout out to Vania for the cool bracelet she made for Mrs. Feld!
===================================
===================================
Cool Beans Café is officially open!
Students from our MD program serve fresh coffee to Alder staff every Friday! This prevocational experience is greatly beneficial for our students, and the opportunity to deliver and greet staff provides social opportunities that mean the most!
Barista of the Week: Jadiel
Our Barista of the week is Jadiel! He's in charge of making sure the cart has all the deliveries in order and delivers with a smile! 🙂
Thank you AtlantiCare!
Special thanks to AtlantiCare for donating supplies to Cool Beans Cafe, we are very grateful!
===================================
Teacher Feature
Ms. Donchey - Band & Strings
What is your position at Alder? What brought you here? How long have you been here?
This is my fourth year as the band director. In my past, I was a K-8 band, orchestra, choir, and general music teacher in Egg Harbor City, as well as general music and choir director at Slaybaugh, Davenport, and Miller Schools. I was asked to come help out with the band at Alder, and I’m so happy that I was! I also work with the High School Marching Band.
What is or has been one of your favorite things about Alder?
I love my students! So many of them are so talented, and they love the new opportunities that we can provide for them.
What do you think will be your greatest challenge this year?
My greatest challenge this year (and every year) is watching my eighth grade students spread their wings and move on to the High School, but I know that I’ll get to see them when I’m there.
Where did you go to school? What degree did you earn?
I earned a degree in Music Education from West Chester University, many, many years ago.
Any fun facts you would like to share about yourself?
I have four sons, three of whom have gone through Alder Avenue Middle School. Two are in the military, one is in the high school, and the youngest one will be coming to join us next year.
===================================
===================================
Memorial Day Parade
Alder faces were spotted in the EHT Memorial Day Parade!
===================================
Meet Kimberle Watt
Kimberle joined AtlantiCare Healthy Schools, Healthy Children in 2022. Prior to joining the AtlantiCare team, she worked in substance abuse treatment empowering those she worked with the skills necessary to create a life worth living. She believes the key to wellness is creating a balance in all aspects of your life. With that balance, we can truly begin to see positive impacts to our mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing. As a school health specialist, Kimberle integrates her knowledge of mindfulness and yoga into her work with middle schools. At her school, she supports not only students, but school staff wellness and family engagement as well.
Meet Katura Marshall
Katura began working for AtlantiCare as a School Health Specialist in 2023. Prior to joining the AtlantiCare team, she has owned and operated a youth mentoring organization for 12 years where she has advocated for at- risk youth and families to provide resources and services to address social emotional learning and solve problems to aid in the development of unique paths for children to learn, grow and thrive. Throughout the pandemic, she served as a case manager for homeless and disabled veterans to locate them permanent housing, attain adequate military benefits and insurance, mental health services, drug and alcohol rehabilitation, and suicide prevention. Katura has always had a passion for serving the community by promoting social and emotional awareness. and creating a caring atmosphere for student to plan for their future.
Specialists' Weekly Newsletter:
Specialists' Monthly Newsletter
Click a topic below to be directed to the links included in the specialist's newsletter:
===================================
Free or Reduced Meal Program
Students and families must submit an application to receive Free and Reduced Meals. Applications for Free and Reduced Meals are available online through MySchoolApps.
===================================
===================================
===================================
Click the image above to register
===================================
===================================
About Us
Email: ehtnjalder@eht.k12.nj.us
Website: http://eggharborams.ss13.sharpschool.com/
Location: 25 Alder Avenue, Egg Harbor Township, NJ, USA
Phone: 609-383-3366
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EHTNJAlder/
Twitter: @EHTNJAlder