School District Welcomes Parents

Hundreds of parents filled the hallways, cafeteria and classrooms at the on Burr Street Wednesday night, when they came to visit their children’s classrooms and meet their children’s teachers.

Four hundred and ninety Horbelt students created a collage of hearts, which hung on the cafeteria wall where the principal, new superintendent, nurse and guidance counselor greeted the parents.

Principal Scott Kiewe told the parents that this school year – his sixth running the Horbelt School – is going to be an especially emotional one for him, as this year’s graduating fifth-graders were kindergarteners when he started six years ago.

“We cut our teeth together,” Kiewe said. “We’ve grown together.”

On the other hand, Karen Wood, the of Barnegat schools, introduced herself to the parents for the first time. “You guys are in good hands,” Wood said, praising Kiewe and the Horbelt school staff. “I know you are going to have an outstanding year.”

After nurse Ali Dwyer shared the necessary information about the medical forms and emergency information cards, guidance counselor Kim Germano urged parents to let their children use her services more.

“I am here to help your child,” Germano said. “If they lose a pet, or they worry about someone they love, I can talk to them. If your child had a bad day, give me a call and I’ll intercept them at the door. I don’t bite,” she added to general laughter. “I am not the vice principal.”

After last year’s teacher of the year Kerri Ramsay was honored for her contributions to the students, along with support staff member of the year instructional aide Susan Penque, nervous and excited parents streamed along the corridors toward their children’s classrooms.

Parents of a kindergartener, Tina and Jack Kinsella looked forward to seeing their daughter’s new environment and learning more about her from a different perspective.

“It’s exciting,” Tina Kinsella said. “I want to find out how she listens here. At home, she doesn’t always.”

“I want to know what she’s learning here, so I can help her,” Jack Kinsella said.

The teachers seemed just as excited to meet the parents.

“I love to be able to give them an idea right from the beginning of what the school year is going to be like,” said Ramsay, a fourth-grade teacher. “We really get into our science, as just one example,” Ramsay said. Her students have already started learning about weather and climate, and will be getting into many other subjects from the human body to astronomy, heat, light, electricity and, new this year, the kelp forest project. “We are doing a lot of exciting things in fourth grade,” Ramsay added.