Wolf Hill Celebrates 100 Years of School, Community

Pride and community spirit were in full bloom in front of Wolf Hill School on Wednesday afternoon, as hundreds of Oceanporters past and present came out for the elementary school's 100th birthday party.

With Wolf Hill Avenue closed between Branch and Pemberton, Wolf Hill students, alums, teachers, parents, neighbors and administrators gathered to honor the century-old building that has bred thousands of children to become lifelong learners and upstanding citizens.

"This building behind me is not merely a building," said Oceanport Superintendent Andrew J. Orefice in his opening remarks. "For it is more than bricks, stucco and concrete. It is an educational and community landmark, a rare gem that few communities across the nation could boast about. The story of Wolf Hill School and indeed its legacy are the countless individual stories of thousands of children who  walked these hallways, who came into these classrooms, and played on these playgrounds."

Much has happened in the world since Wolf Hill opened its doors in 1911.

"For 100 years ago, the Titanic had not left her British port, Babe Ruth did not even swing at a pitch, and Yankee Stadium did not even exist," said Orefice, smiling and shaking his head in disbelief.

"William Howard Taft was our President of the United States, and our great country had not even experienced a World War. The price of a loaf of bread was five cents, the price of a postage stamp was two cents, and even a gallon of gas was five cents. The average American earned $983 a year. Justin Bieber's grandparents were not even born."

Reggie Maps has been involved with Wolf Hill for most of her life. She has been a student, parent, PTO member, board member, and even once filled in a substitute nurse. She gave the crowd a picture of the way things used to be.

"There was no gymnasium, but the teachers took care of that. They took their classes out and we would go down the steps and out the back. Somebody would carry the big ball and we played dodgeball. There was hopscotch and jump rope on the pavement. On a nice day, especially in the spring, you'd see a group of girls sitting in a circle playing jacks... that was gym for us."

The gym was added more than half a century ago in 1958, and some of the games students now play are... well, not games at all. Physical education teacher Jacki Walling has students learning about things like yoga and dance, and in the case of the dance team, students come before school opens to learn. The success of Walling's program at Wolf Hill was visible Wednesday as she led students through a dance number between speakers.

"We wanted to students to be on showcase. We wanted to show their talents. That was our primary thought," said Wolf Hill Principal Melanie Lipinski-Shelley of the day's events.

Along with the dance team, the Wolf Hill Chorus performed, and were directed by music teacher Erica Siegel. Students Megan Kelly, Camille Simon and Jack Maida all read essays they composed. The Maple Place Chargers band, directed by Dianne Ruggeri, also came back to their elementary school to play a few tunes.

Recognizing the generations of exceptional education Wolf Hill has provided, Mayor Michael J. Mahon declared in a proclamation that April 27, 2011 would be Wolf Hill School Day in the borough of Oceanport. State senator Jennifer Beck's office also sent a proclamation recognizing the school.

"Eighteen presidents have come and gone since Wolf Hill opened its doors," said former Wolf Hill student and current teacher Gabe Roonan. "From William Howard Taft to Barack Obama, and each has spoken of a quality education. Well little did they know that they only needed to look no further than a small school here in Monmouth County. Wolf Hill has put forth 100 years of excellence, and I'm sure it's going to put forth 100 more."