Memorial Middle School Providing Students With Relief After Testing

After racking their brains during the New Jersey Assessment of Skills and Knowledge (NJ ASK) test this week, Memorial Middle School students are now getting a chance to do something fun.

Teacher Ronelle Maher and others have organized a group of fun classes for students to participate in, instead of having to go back to their normal classes after they finish their tests this week.

From April 23 - 26, the students will participate in workshops such as Youtube Video, Flash Mob, Making Tee Shirts, Memorial School Rap and Earth Day/ Community Service Activities.

Seventh and eighth grade students were hard at work in these classes on Tuesday afternoon, but were also enjoying themselves, Maher said.

"We want to build community for the kids," Maher said.

Maher said the workshops were designed to be things the students could enjoy and also something that would be beneficial for them.

"All the teachers are involved and we let the students pick their own activities," Maher said.

Memorial Middle School Teacher Jill Wetzel had a group of students placing plants they potted themselves in the school's green house for the community service workshop.

She also had the students collecting books that will be given to child patients at Monmouth Medical Center.

"It's about reaching out into the community and it has been a positive experience for the kids," Wetzel said.

Other children were in the hallways of the school filming anti-bullying videos while others were in the cafeteria and gymnasium practicing their flash mob routines.

Wetzel said the students have been happy about the opportunity to participate in the workshops and that she hopes that this is something the students will do next year.

"The kids are really excited about not being in their regular classrooms, and they are learning about doing the right thing and having fun," she said.