Generosity of Spirit and Student Achievement Highlight BOE Meeting

The highlights of Tuesday’s Board of Education meeting were three presentations by Bloomfield students and staff and a generous donation awarded to the district from the Bloomfield Educational Foundation.

Totalling $16,900.00, the donation included $2,550 for five Teacher Grant Awards as well as a check for the amount of $14,400, allotted for the purchase of educational technology.  

Presenting the check was Joseph Kliminsky, Chairman Emeritus of the Bloomfield Educational Foundation, as well as Vice Chairman Madeline Wollner and Secretary John Sullivan. 

The Teacher Grant Award recipients were:

• Lisa Basile, Bloomfield High School, for Graphic Novel Literacy and Second Language Learners

• Keri Regina, Brookdale School, for Technology

• Tania Liddy, Berkeley School, for I-POD/Accelerated Reader

• Lisa Maron, Fairview School, for "PI Day"

• Amy Konzelmann, Carteret School, for

The total amount for these awards was $2,500.

Wollner said the $14,4000 technology grant would be used to purchase “SmartBoards,” a learning tool incorporating computer technology with full-color projections on giant display boards.

“Each SmartBoard costs about $3,600, which is prohibitive to put in the school’s budget,” she explained.  “[BOE Vice President] Mr. Berger has done a lot of investigations to get the most bang for our buck.”

The BEF Grants Review Committee stipulated that it would request matching grants for eight SmartBoards, one for each of Bloomfield’s elementary schools, at a cost of $1,800 each.

The well-attended meeting at Fairview School began with a literacy presentation by beginning readers.  Demonstrating new reading techniques that incorporate visual technology into the lesson plan, a group of about six first graders showed the audience of parents and educators how learning to read can be fun.

Afterward the winners of the Interpretive Reading received certificates from the Board of Education.  Samantha Rosamilia and Connor Heaney recieved 2nd and 5th place hinors respectively in the 5th and 6th grade Junior Varsity team, which placed 2nd overall in the county.   The 7th and 8th grade Varsity team achieved 1st place in the county, with Ian Collins taking home 3rd place honors and Lily Andres placing 5th.  

Following the certificate presentaions, Collins performed a recitation of the classic Edgar Allen Poe short story, “The Tell-Tale Heart” that was well-received by the audience.

At the conclusion of the presentations, Fairview School Principal Salvator DeSimone expressed gratitude for the generosity of the Bloomfield Educational Foundation, as well as pride in the students’ achievements.

“The dynamic presentations that we saw this evening is symbolic of our initiative to enhance and strengthen the literacy skills of our K-1-2 students,” he said with a smile.

Wollner, who said the BEF has donated about $600,000 to the Bloomfield school district over the years in grants, scholarships and special programming, credited the generosity of the community as being an inspiration.

“Everyone is Bloomfield is so supportive," she said. "They always feel they can give a little more to support the schools.”